Photo by Nevada Department of Wildlife showing a black bear in Nevada. The bears in Nevada often have cinnamon-colored fur, according to NDOW.
At least one black bear has been causing problems in a southeast Carson City neighborhood and is being blamed for the death of a goat.
Thursday, Heidi Circle resident Nancy Scott said a young-looking bear tried to go after her private beehives at least twice in the last month. Her alpha goat, Bosco, fought the bear off but not without sustaining puncture wounds on his right hip.
“Deep — you could see the muscle under there,” Scott told the Appeal.
The latest encounter between goat and bear occurred last week, Scott said. Bosco saw a veterinarian and was given antibiotics and medicine for inflammation but found dead Thursday morning.
“I don’t have any idea, but I’m assuming infection,” Scott said.
Scott lives on an acre with six beehives and 10 goats. She said the bear made it over 5-foot chain-link fence.
Thursday, NDOW confirmed at least three homes in the area had been visited by a bear this month, including another home with goats and an additional location with beehives. A trap was set but no bear caught.
“We can’t confirm it’s the same bear, but chances are it could be,” said Ashely Sanchez, NDOW public information officer.
Sanchez said bears move up and down the nearby Carson River corridor and will target areas with unsecured trash, beehives or small livestock.
“This is a situation where bear-resistant containers would go a long way,” she said.
Sanchez said education is key to living with bears. NDOW has advised residents in the area to use electric fencing around beehives.
“You may think you’re not in bear country, but really you are,” she said. “If you live in Northern Nevada, you are.”
For information or assistance, call (775) 688-BEAR (2327) or visit https://www.ndow.org/blog/living-with-bears/.