AÂ two-year-old male bear found in south Reno on Thursday was captured and released back into its natural habitat on Friday.
According to a spokesperson from the Nevada Department of Wildlife, after release, the bear quickly ran off and dashed up a tree.
Once it came down, the release team used aversive conditioning, like yelling, to discourage the bear from returning to residential areas.
Officials stress the importance of securing food, garbage, and recycling in bear-resistant containers or within locked buildings/enclosures.
"So, we have been seeing a lot more bear activity in the area, and so if you live in Washoe County, Sparks, City of Reno, Incline, Carson, we do have bear-proof carts available, and you can call in to our customer service line and get those carts," said Carly Norton, Waste Management representative. "They have a little latch at the front of them, and you just have to push those in, and basically it will just unlatch, but it is bear resistant."
Norton shared helpful tips on what you can do to modify existing trash cans, store garbage in a secure building, and put trash out only on the morning of collection.
Washoe County Waste Management discussed other advantages of bear-resistant garbage cans.
"The other great thing about these, it when it does get really windy in our area, which it does, when these get knocked over, they're not coming off, so this is going to secure all your trash in this cart," said Norton.
Even though bears are very smart and savvy, their paws are not capable of unhooking the latch because they have no thumbs.
Wildlife experts say if one property doesn't secure items that attract bears, bears may learn to visit the area, but if neighbors secure their trash, bears are less likely to learn an area as a food source.
The Nevada Department of Wildlife says they're happy the bear is not a threat to the public, and safely back in its natural habitat, but also advises being consistent and staying on top of bear-proofing all your trash.
