Bobcat seen prowling on South Shore
The U.S. Forest Service is warning South Shore residents that a bobcat had been seen multiple times in the Saw Mill Pond, Dundee Circle, North Upper Truckee, Washoe Meadows State Park, Echo Lake areas.
The agency has yet to verify the credibility of a March 1 report of a mountain lion with a cub in the area of Sawmill Road and Lake Tahoe Boulevard.
Spring weather tends to bring these animals out more where they are seen.
The Forest Service has more information online about staying safe in mountain lion habitat.
I personally saw a lynx at Elk Point lake area next to Round Hill Pines, after a snowfall in mid- February. First I thought it was a bobcat, but looked up its size and characteristics, to confirm it was a Lynx. Be careful out there people. We are in our wild animals habitat….
Kae, I hate to burst your readers fragile little bubble, but, bobcats are ‘regulars’ in the Tahoe basin and have been for quite some time. It is true that they have been seen more regularly in the past several years, but, that has to do with the fact that their favorite meal – the rabbit – has become more prevalent. Where you see prey, you will see predators. Bobcats are not a danger to humans, cats or dogs. In addition to rabbits, they also feed on small rodents (mice, voles, etc.) Also, we have heard of mountain lions on the south shore for years. At least two, that we (LTWC) are aware of, with a possibility of three or even four, ranging from Spooner Summit to Emerald Bay. We even helped the city police department and county sheriff’s sedate a 2nd year cub in 2007 who found his way into the Keys after entangling with a porcupine. By the way. The porcupine won – – – that one. Hope this info helps.
Tom…..”I hate to burst your readers ‘fragile’ little bubble’,…
First, thank you for your input, however, I’ve been here for 60+ years…and know about these animals but was never aware of my ‘fragile’ little bubble!
What do you mean by that?
Check it snippets.
Who and why were the 2 Bobcats trapped and removed from the Tahoe Mountain and Washoe Meadow area??
Wild animals, fantastic ! They were one of the reasons people used to move to Tahoe for. Now people who move or visit here want anything wild and natural removed, install lights of lights and tons of pavement. Get rid of the people and save Tahoe !
Unbelievable..get rid of people?
Just manage them instead of letting them run amok!
People on vacation…especially from foreign countries count on the ‘locals’ to have a plan
“Get rid of people” wow. Not sure what that comment means either get rid of everyone but me or get rid of everyone.
Tahoe, especially our neighborhoods, are overrun with tourists on almost a daily basis now. And of course the weekends are a zoo.
It’s been my experience, these tourists come here, pay a little money to rent an illegal motel in our neighborhoods and think they can do as they please. It always amazes me how the tourists and management companies stress the rent the tourists pay when complaints arise. Always forgotten is the amount of money locals pay for rent and especially for purchasing a home! The tourist rent is pennies compared to living here full time.
They speed on the roads, drive without chains or snow tires or carry a shovel, completely unprepared for a Tahoe winter. They park on the roads during snow removal instead of in the driveway and when there are too many cars they park on the lawn or in the dirt. There are often more cars and people than allowed by permits. They yell and scream while hot tubbing and partying at all hours. They turn on every light they can find at a house and leave them on 24 hrs.
They are obsessed with “selfies” and when they get too close to an animal and it reacts in a protective manner, they want it killed.
And trash ? 4th of July is not the only day they leave trash behind. Check out any trailhead or pull out on the road, trash !
Laws and rules don’t seem to apply to the tourists. The hill they choose to sled on across from the airport along hwy 50 is a great example. The road is lined with no parking and no stopping signs, on both sides. Yet the tourists still park on both sides and walk back and forth, bringing traffic to a standstill. Speed limit there is 55. Someone is going to die there, then maybe there will be a “plan”.
So far there is no “plan” to handle all the tourists, just keep advertising for more and more to come.
Ever go to Yosemite ? Finally the park service says there are too many people and they are harming the park. Tahoe better learn quickly because the precious tourist dollars all the business people are addicted too, will not save Tahoe.
If not for the tourists, not a single (complaining) local would be able to live here. Excepting the individuals not dependent on a job and willing to drive to Reno or Carson for all of their needs.
Does anyone know if there was ever an industry in South Lake Tahoe other than tourism and recreation? (I mean something other than logging which created severe impacts to the environment.)
Thanks.
Spouse – 4-mer-usmc
4-mer
Unfortunately all of the previous economic activity were extractive including fishing and logging. As you might imagine tourism started on a small scale but like many places in the west it evolved to something much bigger. The primary trigger for the growth was the 1960 Olympics. Tourism in terms of visitor numbers peaked here in South Shore around the year 2000, this was prior to tribal gaming and I doubt we will ever reach those numbers again, for a variety of reasons.