The Hunt For Hank The Tank

We could talk about the imminent invasion of Ukraine by Russia. But that’s, like, a total bummer. Also, I already wrote about it and I don’t feel like repeating myself. SO! Who here has heard of Hank the Tank? He’s a 500lb black bear that is breaking and entering into homes with brute force in search of food. 

And he’s causing quite the ruckus.

He’s like the Kool-Aid Man breaking through walls – only he’s a bear. 

Oh my.

A Bear With A Record

Hank the Tank has 33 cases of breaking and entering, 102 police responses, and 152 reports of “conflict behavior” over a 7-month spree in South Lake Tahoe, California. 

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife released a statement: 

“This bear is extremely food habituated and has used its immense size and strength to break in and through front doors and garage doors.” 

Hank is “severely food habituated,” which means that he is accustomed to human food. Berries and fish aren’t cutting it for Hank. He’s gotten used to steak and leftover pizza. And he will have it. 

Lt. Jeff Roberson of the South Lake Tahoe Police Department pointed out the abnormality of this behavior: 

“They’re supposed to be hibernating. They’re used to people and being fed year-round. 

“They don’t really do the bear stuff.” 

The “bear stuff” would be stocking up on fish, berries, roots, grass, insects, small animals prior to hibernation. Proximity to urban environments has disrupted their behavior and turned bears into year-round eaters. 

Bears find food primarily through smell, and they’ve got a great sense of smell. Thanks to a combination of devastating California wildfires that have forced bear populations closer to urban areas and residents’ improper disposal of food and other pungent items, Hank the Tank is ballooning like Violet in Wonka’s factory. 

This, of course, has residents on edge. How would you react to a 500lb bear bursting through your front door? I can’t imagine well. 

What’s Going To Happen To Hank The Tank?

Humans typically don’t like it when animals get in the way of day-to-day life. Especially if they’re a 500lb bear breaking and entering. The result usually ends in a dead animal. 

Nobody really wants that for Hank the Tank. 

“While the Lake Tahoe area has a healthy and dense bear population euthanizing an animal is always our last option.

“CDFW is currently evaluating the possibility of placement of this bear when captured.” 

Hank is just a hungry forest friend. He’s not interested in eating humans like some kind of grisly grizzly. It’s not his fault that he’s ballooned to 500lb and is breaking into homes. It’s ours. 

The CDFW expanded on this in their statement: 

“The outcome for this food-habituated bear could have been avoided with a few simple actions.

“Bears are primarily scent-driven when seeking food. As such, we ask again that everyone remain vigilant and act responsibly by properly storing food and garbage while living in – or visiting – a bear habitat.”

The hunt for Hank the Tank is ongoing. Members of the community and the nonprofit Bear League are going their part to stop the breaking and entering and save Hank from certain death. 

We at OwnersMag are cheering for Hank the Tank’s safe capture and relocation.