People Are Rallying Around Hank The Tank, The Bear Who Just Wants To Eat Human Food

A giant black bear in California named Hank the Tank is at risk of being euthanised after he has broken into at least 38 homes, on account of being a very hungry boy.

Hank, who is quite literally the only thing I care about this week, is a 225kg black bear located in Lake Tahoe, California. For those unfamiliar with the species, black bears usually range from 45 to 150kg, so he’s definitely a big boy.

To date, Hank has been responsible for at least 38 home invasions and more than 150 calls between local wildlife rescuers and law enforcement in recent months. According to the New York Post, Hank has been responsible for “extensive property damage and forcefully entered several homes — including occupied homes,” which has led to calls for him to be euthanised.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife representative Peter Tira told The New York Times, local law enforcement has been trying to remove the bear with sirens and paintballs but he is too keen on eating human food to care anymore.

“It’s easier to find leftover pizza than to go in the forest,” said Tira.

According to the executive director of the Bear League, Ann Bryant, his particular fondness of human food is probably why he’s such a chonky boy. “He didn’t get fat like that eating berries and grubs,” said Bryant.

But sadly, the severe lack of shits he gives about humans could be his downfall, with law enforcement noting that euthanasia could be the only option if he presents a danger to society, considering all bear sanctuaries are too full to accept him.

“This is a bear that has lost all fear of people,” said Tira. “It’s a potentially dangerous situation.”

However, it’s worth noting that residents who have witnessed Hank invading their homes say he is more interested in raiding their pantry than actually harming them. “He just sits there and eats. He doesn’t attack them. He doesn’t growl. He doesn’t make rude faces,” said Bryant.

Despite his destructive nature, residents aren’t actually keen on the idea of euthanising poor Hank. I mean, who among us hasn’t let our hunger get the best of us? “Why should this big dummy die?” added Bryant.

Hank’s story is particularly heartbreaking considering black bears and humans have coexisted in the Lake Tahoe area for generations, with humans learning to be “bear aware” and take added precautions like not leaving food out and using bear-proof bins. But unfortunately, new residents flocking to the area throughout COVID — who aren’t as familiar with bear safety — have caused new problems for the coexistence of the species.