SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — Human interaction with bears at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center during the Kokanee salmon spawn has reached an unsafe level. The U.S. Forest Service is asking visitors to keep their distance when encountering bears. Visitor center staff routinely encounter unsafe situations as guests ignore their instructions and get too close to bears to take photos and videos.
“Bears are unpredictable, wild animals and may attack if threatened,” said Forest Supervisor Nancy Gibson. “We can’t have visitors creating dangerous situations for themselves and others. People are risking serious injury or death if they get too close to a bear.”
If visitors continue to disregard directions to stay away from bears at Taylor Creek, the Forest Service may close the area for public safety. Approaching bears too closely is also putting bears at risk, since bears may be captured and killed if they attack.
At Taylor Creek, visitors should stay on trails, respect wildlife and keep a safe distance if bears are present. For more information on visiting bear country, visit https://www.dfg.ca.gov/keepmewild/bear.html.
