Wild Bear Suspected Of 20+ Home Invasions Moves To Colorado Sanctuary

A bear who’s infamous for home invasions has been transferred to an animal sanctuary states away.

According to a press release from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, a bear nicknamed “Hank the Tank” has been DNA-confirmed in at least 21 home break-ins. She’s been linked to extensive propery damage in the South Lake Tahoe area of California since 2022.

In addition to breaking into homes by herself, Hank also started bringing her three cubs along!

Needless to say, Hank the Tank was proving to be a menace to society. Bears that participate in human conflict are typically euthanized, but Hank the Tank became a known favorite. The CDFW said, “given the widespread interest in this bear, and the significant risk of a serious incident involving the bear, CDFW is employing an alternative solution to safeguard the bear family as well as the people in the South Lake Tahoe community.”

CDFW partnered with a Wild Animal Sanctuary near Springfield, Colorado, to transfer the bear to the wildlife sanctuary.

The Wild Animal Sanctuary shared on Facebook that Hank arrived and is settling in nicely to her 200-plus-acre habitat nicely.

They said, “Hank the Tank, the 500-pound Black Bear who gained fame for breaking into homes in South Lake Tahoe, California, has arrived at the Wild Animal Refuge near Springfield, Colorado. Hank – who was later found to be a female and is now referred to as Henrietta – is doing well and is getting used to her new surroundings inside a temporary introduction enclosure which is located within a 230-acre forested habitat.”

As for Hank’s three cubs, the CDFW said they’re working to have the cubs transferred to the Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue for rehabilitation.