Bear tranquilized in Gardnerville Ranchos neighborhood; to be released in the Carson Range
A male black bear was tranquilized Friday morning in Gardnerville Ranchos by Nevada Department of Wildlife wardens and will be set free later west of Gardnerville in the Carson Range.
The yearling male was found up a tree at a residence south of the downtown area of Gardnerville. While not typical bear habitat, it does see bears wandering through occasionally.
The 80 to 100 pound bear is of “dispersal age” said NDOW biologist Carl Lackey.
“It will not be euthanized. We will release it later this evening in the nearest bear habitat located in the Carson Range,” he said in a news release.
Yearling male bears are dispersed by their mothers in late spring and they immediately begin to wander, looking for a habitat niche. According to Lackey, young males are most likely to wander into situations where they could become nuisance bears.
“We have the most success with aversion conditioning on bears like this. They are young and respond to the aversion treatment. The rubber buckshot and the bear dogs chasing them make an impression that will hopefully keep them wild,” said Lackey. When the bear is released this evening, such treatment will be applied to the fleeing bear.
Lackey lauds the cooperation of the people in the Gardnerville Rancho area in giving NDOW a chance to “save this bear and keep it wild. When we get to these bears quickly and apply the aversive conditioning treatment, we give the bear a chance to survive.”
Persons needing to report nuisance bear activity can call the NDOW’s Bear Hotline telephone number at (775) 688-BEAR (2327). For information on living with bears persons can go to www.ndow.org and find the ”Bear Logic” page.