UPDATE: A black bear named Charlie made headlines late Thursday night as he became the first guest of the season at the skating rink in the Shops at Heavenly Village, Lake Tahoe. Just after 10 p.m., Charlie crawled under roped barriers, ignoring the “No Skating without Skates” sign, and glided across the freshly frozen ice, making his presence known in a delightful display.
According to Dreu Murin, a spokesperson for the Shops at Heavenly Village, an employee named Danny spotted Charlie enjoying the ice and captured a memorable photo. “Today’s opening day, and he definitely took advantage of the fresh ice,” Murin said, adding that Charlie left the first tracks on the rink.
The whimsical encounter quickly garnered attention on social media, with the Heavenly Village Facebook page posting about it, attracting thousands of likes and comments. “Guess winter sports season is officially open! #OnlyInTahoe #BearOnIce,” the post read, highlighting the lighthearted spirit of the event.
While bear sightings are common at Heavenly Village, especially as winter approaches, Murin assured that there have been no reported attacks in recent years. He mentioned a notable incident from last year when a snowboarder collided with a bear cub, a moment captured on video, but fortunately, both were unharmed.
After his skating debut, Charlie returned to the village, likely in search of food. “Charlie was back at the village last night but he decided not to ice skate,” Murin noted. Steve Searles, a wildlife expert known as “The Bear Whisperer,” explained that Charlie is drawn to the ice rink due to the smell of food and garbage. “As winter has not arrived yet, bear sightings will be common until the snow flies,” he stated.
The Nevada Department of Wildlife has advised residents to secure their trash during the fall and winter months, as bears often break into homes and businesses searching for food. With an abundant year-round food supply, there’s concern that these bears might skip hibernation altogether, becoming too reliant on human food sources.
In response to the growing issue, the California Department of Wildlife has initiated a program to capture, tag, and “haze” the bears around Lake Tahoe, using noisemakers and paintball rounds to deter them from populated areas.
Charlie’s skating escapade isn’t the first of its kind at the mall. Murin recounted a previous incident when a smaller black bear broke into a Nestlé cookie shop to indulge in ice cream. “We’re thinking of making ‘Charlie the skating bear’ T-shirts,” he said, suggesting that Charlie could become the village’s new mascot.
As the winter season approaches, residents and visitors are reminded to be vigilant and to respect the wildlife that shares their habitat. The charming antics of Charlie serve as a reminder of the unique interactions that can occur in this stunning natural setting. Stay tuned for more updates on Charlie and the ongoing wildlife presence in Lake Tahoe.
