This spring, a bear with a sweet appetite paid an unexpected visit to an ice cream business in North Lake Tahoe. Cinnamon, the furry invader, entered Tahoe Time Ice Cream in Kings Beach and devoured a three-gallon tub of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.
The owner of the store, Beth Moxley, captured the aftermath on her cell phone. Moxley, who has lived in the Tahoe region for about 40 years, claimed that she has never seen bears as fearless as they are now.
“It’s like a huge influx of smaller bears. They’re like teenagers running wild,” she stated. “They’re fighting to survive, and a lot of them don’t make it. So I think their hunger overrides their fear of humans.”
During a snowfall in April, when business was slow, Moxley made the decision to thoroughly clean the store during the calm period. When she moved away for a moment, Cinnamon took advantage of the situation.
The bear found and ate an entire tub of ice cream after sneaking into the store. Interestingly, Cinnamon was not caught in the act—at least not on this particular occasion. Soon later, the animal reappeared, seemingly returning for a few seconds, which resulted in its detection.
Moxley remarked that This bear just walked right in like it owned the place. It appeared unafraid of anything. It was fully aware of its desires.
Even during the colder months, when bear activity usually slows down, she observed that bear interactions have become much more regular and common.
Even though the bears haven’t displayed any aggressive behavior, their increasing confidence is worrisome, particularly as the busy summer travel season draws near.
Bear interactions in the region are, in fact, increasing, according to the Bear League of Tahoe, a local wildlife protection organization.
Read Also: Black Bear Drops Through Ceiling, Makes Itself at Kentucky Home on Kitchen Stove
They blame the growth on the easy availability to food supplies such as trash, pet food, and in this case, ice cream, as well as the increasing human development in bear habitats.
In order to strengthen bears’ innate fear of people, the group is advising locals and business owners to lock doors and windows, protect food and waste, and scare bears away with loud noises.
According to Moxley, the event serves as a reminder of the precarious equilibrium that exists between the dangers of coexisting with wildlife and Tahoe’s natural beauty. She remarked, “I really hope Cinnamon doesn’t get a craving for mint chip next, even though I love the bears.”
