Just when you thought your Tahoe mountain getaway couldn’t get more wild, a shocking bear encounter proves nature always has other plans.

Laurel-Rose Von Hoffmann-Curzi, a 66-year-old doctor battling Stage 4 lymphoma, experienced a terrifying morning that would make even the most seasoned mountain dweller think twice about early risers. While staying at her family’s North Lake Tahoe home, she was suddenly confronted by a brazen bear who decided the kitchen was his personal buffet.

A Morning Gone Wrong

Around 6 a.m., Von Hoffmann-Curzi heard noises and discovered an uninvited furry guest by her refrigerator. In a heart-stopping moment, the bear attacked, leaving her with puncture wounds, cuts, and a laceration on her cheek that barely missed being fatal.

“I should be dead the way the bear swiped at my face,” she told KTVU, highlighting the increasingly bold behavior of Tahoe’s bear population.

The Changing Wildlife Landscape

This isn’t just a one-off incident. Black bears in Lake Tahoe have been pushing boundaries, especially after recent fire seasons like the Caldor Fire disrupted their natural habitats. El Dorado County sheriff’s Sgt. Simon Brown noted that “the delicate balance between humans and bears has been upset”.

Even more concerning? Bears are skipping hibernation entirely, thanks to the abundance of human-provided food sources. Unsecured trash, pet food, and even indoor food smells are turning neighborhoods into bear buffets.

Survival and Awareness

Von Hoffmann-Curzi’s story is a stark reminder that coexisting with wildlife requires respect, caution, and awareness. While her survival is miraculous, her experience underscores the importance of understanding our wild neighbors.

For Tahoe residents and visitors: secure your trash, bring pet food indoors, and remember – a bear’s hunger doesn’t care about your weekend plans.