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7th Tahoe Bear Captured In 10 Days; 1 Euthanized

RENO (CBS/AP) -- Nevada wildlife officials have captured their seventh bear in the past 10 days at Lake Tahoe, where experts are predicting lingering drought will prompt an uptick in bear problems the rest of the year.

The latest bear trapped Friday near Glenbrook was a repeat offender that had been captured and released before -- just like the one that was destroyed at Glenbrook beach on Wednesday.

But unlike the male that was rummaging through beachgoer's backpacks, Nevada Department of Wildlife spokesman Chris Healy says the female captured Friday was showing the proper fear of humans and was not considered a threat to public safety.

Biologists planned to release her to a different mountain range Friday afternoon about 60 miles east near Wellington.

Healy says she's an example of what they calling "drought bears." Unlike so-called "garbage" bears, Healy says they want to be wild and remain in the hills, but the lack of food due to drought is forcing them into urban areas.


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