El DORADO COUNTY—It was a scene straight out of a cartoon last Sunday morning when El Dorado County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Camp Richardson for an unusual call: a bear spotted inside the local ice cream shop.
Arriving just after dawn on August 17, deputies found a large bear standing behind the counter like he owned the place. Witnesses say the animal seemed particularly interested in the strawberry ice cream, lingering long enough to give staff and law enforcement a moment of disbelief. With some coaxing, the bear eventually lumbered off into the trees, leaving little more than paw prints and a story to tell. Thankfully, the damage was minimal, and cleanup was nearly nonexistent.
The visit from “Fuzzy,” as the bear has since been nicknamed, was more amusing than alarming, but it also serves as a reminder that bear encounters are common in the high country and should be taken seriously. Black bears, frequent residents of the Sierra Nevada, are naturally curious and will happily explore wherever the scent of food takes them—whether that’s a picnic table, a campsite, or even an ice cream parlor.
Wildlife experts remind visitors and residents alike that if you encounter a bear, the best approach is to stay calm and keep your distance. Speak in a calm voice or clap your hands to make your presence known, but never run—running can trigger a chase instinct. Instead, back away slowly, always keeping the bear in view. If a bear is in a populated area, notify park rangers or local authorities, such as the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, rather than trying to handle the situation yourself.
Preventing close encounters begins with good habits: store food securely, lock cars and dumpsters, and never leave trash or snacks where bears can reach them. Bears that grow accustomed to human food can lose their natural caution, which is unsafe for both wildlife and people.
Sunday’s “sundae scuffle” may have ended with nothing more than a story about a bear with a sweet tooth, but it also highlights the need for awareness. In the Sierra, sharing space with wildlife is part of the experience—and with a little caution, encounters can stay fun rather than frightening.
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