Black bears are increasingly breaking into homes around Lake Tahoe, prompting residents to spend thousands of pounds fortifying their properties against the animals. The surge in incidents reflects growing human-wildlife conflict in the area, as bears grow bolder in seeking food sources near populated areas, forcing homeowners and local authorities to respond to the escalating problem.

South Lake Tahoe police have logged 174 bear-related calls so far this year, up sharply from 97 over the same period last year, according to The Wall Street Journal. Several of these incidents have involved bears actually entering homes, with at least one local couple reporting the ordeal to the newspaper, underlining the financial and safety toll the break-ins are taking on residents.