Lake Tahoe, Calif. — (CNN, KCRA) An injured bear forced part of a ski resort at Lake Tahoe to close Monday.
Wildlife officials had to rescue the animal and get it treated. X-rays taken right after the bear was rescued showed no broken bones just open wounds and trauma.
Wildlife officials say when they weighed the bear it weighed 49 pounds. This is probably a little thinner than normal for a first year cub.
When asked about whether this incident was yet another impact of the drought the Lake Tahoe Wildlife official responded with a definite yes. Wildlife care officials say in a normal winter this bear likely never would have wandered out on a ski run this early in March.
They also said he should still be sleeping for another month in hibernation. But because of this up and down weather they are seeing chipmunks and robins out a month early; the wildlife are reacting to the drought.
(Photo courtesy of KCRA)
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