In an unusual incident, a bear entered an ice cream parlour in South Lake Tahoe, California, early last Sunday, causing quite the stir. The bear, affectionately named Fuzzy by authorities, managed to taste-test several flavours before being escorted out.
At approximately 04:11, a security guard at the Camp Richardson Resort heard a noise outside the parlour. Initially thinking it came from a rubbish bin, he soon discovered that the source was not a mere animal rummaging for food but rather Fuzzy himself, standing behind the counter and sampling ice cream. After slipping through the front door, the bear had made his way directly to the ice cream, exploring the shop’s offerings of 20 flavours and 13 toppings.
During the bear’s escapade, tubs of ice cream were overturned, and paw prints marked the parlour’s black-and-white tiled floor. The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office responded quickly, with deputies arriving to find Fuzzy in the middle of his taste test. Startled by the commotion, Fuzzy paused but struggled to find a way out. Deputies shouted and illuminated the area with their flashlights, ultimately guiding him back through the front door and into the nearby forest.
The ice cream shop, a popular summer destination for locals and tourists alike, suffered minimal damage. According to the sheriff’s office, “The bear caused barely any property damage, and there was barely any clean-up.” However, all ice cream was discarded as a precaution. William Boas, vice president of operations for ExplorUS, which operates the resort, stated, “We’re pretty sure he didn’t wash his claws before he came in, so all the ice cream had to be replaced.” The parlour reopened later that day following a thorough cleaning.
Bears and Human Encounters in Tahoe Basin
While an ice cream-stealing bear might sound like a rare event, encounters between humans and bears are quite common in the Tahoe Basin. With an estimated 500 black bears in the area and around 60,000 statewide, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office has responded to nearly 650 bear-related calls over the past two years alone. These incidents have included cars being broken into, doors pried open, and kitchens raided in search of food.
Sergeant Kyle Parker of the sheriff’s office recounted a previous incident in 2018 when a bear entered a car through an unlocked door, only to leave through the back windshield after becoming trapped. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife emphasizes that residents and visitors should not feed bears. They advise giving bears an escape route and avoiding close encounters, especially between a mother bear and her cubs. “I would not say to ‘stand your ground’ if a bear approaches,” Peter Tira, a spokesperson for the department, noted. “Make yourself look big, make loud noises and continue to back away.”
The Appeal of Human Food
Black bears in the Tahoe Basin have increasingly developed a preference for human food due to its accessibility. As Alexia Ronning, a bear specialist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, explained, “Why root for berries or grubs when there is pizza or ice cream to be had?”
As for Fuzzy’s favourite flavour, it appears he had a particular affection for strawberry. According to Sergeant Parker, “He ate the most of that one.” Thanks to the prompt response from local authorities, the ice cream parlour was able to return to normal operations swiftly, ensuring that future visitors can continue to enjoy their treats, hopefully without any further bear interruptions.
This incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human activity and wildlife in areas like Lake Tahoe, where both coexist amidst breathtaking natural landscapes.
