RENO, Nev. (AP) — Nevada wildlife officials say a young black bear euthanized at Lake Tahoe last week had the same mother as two others they've had to put down because they lost their fear of humans.
State wildlife biologist Carl Lackey says they've been tracking the 19-year-old female since they first captured and released her in 2004.
He says the mother known by her tag number, "Green 109," is a "chronic, nuisance-type" bear with a long history of trouble in neighborhoods near Stateline on the lake's south shore.
Lackey is among those who've studied whether "bad" bear traits are inherited or learned.
Most scientists agree now that older bears help teach cubs how to raid trash bins and break into homes. They say it's the kind of generational cycle Green 109's young will be hard pressed to break as long as garbage is in their reach.