A dramatic encounter unfolded at a Lake Tahoe vacation home over the Fourth of July holiday when a black bear charged at its owner, Cortlandt Koerwitz of Sacramento. The incident was captured on video and prompted Koerwitz to deploy bear spray.
The encounter began after Koerwitz's daughter discovered the bear inside the garage, reportedly searching through garbage cans. Koerwitz retrieved bear spray and went to investigate, leading to the bear rushing toward him.
Video footage shows Koerwitz approaching the garage when the bear suddenly charges. He then deployed the bear spray, causing the animal to turn and flee. Koerwitz sustained some overspray to his eyes during the incident.
According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, black bears are common in the Lake Tahoe Basin and are frequently attracted to residential areas by unsecured garbage and other accessible food sources. Wildlife officials advise residents and visitors to secure trash, keep food out of vehicles, and remove potential attractants to minimize human-bear conflicts. Bears in the region are known to be curious and possess a strong sense of smell, making improper food storage a common trigger for encounters.
Koerwitz expressed hope that sharing his experience would serve as a reminder for others to secure attractants and remain vigilant in bear country.