Black bear gone astray: "Hank the Tank" is relocated

California black bear "Hank the Tank," which has been breaking into homes on Lake Tahoe for months in search of food, is not being euthanized.

After protests by animal rights activists, the Department for Fisheries and Wildlife (CDFW) has now announced that it wants to relocate the animal, which has now weighed more than 200 kilograms.

But not only "Hank the Tank" gets a new home.

CDFW staff found by comparing DNA that three different bears accounted for the 40 or so burglaries in South Lake Tahoe.

In addition to "Hank the Tank", two other similarly heavy animals have been haunting refrigerators, pantries and garages since last summer.

“The bears are now being caught, tagged and relocated.

This will protect residents and keep the bears in a safe, healthy environment," CDFW spokesman Peter Tira said.

After more than 150 emergency calls from terrified residents, the California Department for Fish and Wildlife announced last week that "Hank den Panzer" might be put down.

Animal protection organizations such as the Bear League then demanded that he be returned to the wild.