A California black bear with a "long history of human conflict" was euthanized earlier this week after breaking into a trailer and swiping at a camper near Lake Tahoe, state wildlife officials said.
The female camper was awakened at around 4:30 a.m. PT on June 22 when the light-colored female bear broke into her trailer at Emerald Bay State Park, located in southwest Lake Tahoe, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The camper attempted to scare off the bear by banging pots and pans and screaming at the bear.
"Undeterred, the bear forced its way into the trailer and swiped at the camper, leaving her with cuts and bruises on her arms and hand and requiring an escorted trip to the hospital," state wildlife officials said in a statement.
Later that morning, the bear ripped open the door of a camper-van with teenagers sleeping inside and then was reported harassing other campers at the same campground, according to state wildlife officials. The bear was deemed a public safety risk following the camper attack and was targeted for immediate removal.
The bear was tracked in the vicinity of the campground where the attack occurred on June 23 and euthanized by a California State Parks ranger, state wildlife officials said. DNA testing confirmed it was the same bear responsible for the camper attack.
