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Popular porcupine passes

Staff report
BEAR League founder Ann Bryant.
Associated Press file photo

Marvin the porcupine, the constant companion of BEAR League Executive Director Ann Bryant and a popular sight at community events, has died.

Marvin fell ill about a month ago, Bryant said, and the diagnosis was liver cancer. He died on Wednesday.

“It was totally unexpected,” Bryant said Sunday. “I’m still kind of not believing it.”



“We went everywhere together. … He was a well-known part of the community.”

Marvin could be considered a South Lake Tahoe native.



Eight years ago, as a baby still living with his biological mother, he was run over and left for dead by a motorist.

Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care rescued him, and then turned him over to Bryant to oversee his recovery. He overcame his injuries, and for the last eight years accompanied Bryant to community events, such as bear-education seminars and Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care open houses. He was even interviewed by Howie Nave on the comedian’s morning radio show on KRLT-FM.

Bryant said porcupines can live 20 years or longer, making her companion’s death that much harder.

“He died way too early,” Bryant said.

Bryant said discussions are under way about possible memorials for Marvin.

On Sept. 29, an exhibit of wildlife photography will be dedicated to Marvin, and will include photos of Marvin himself. The exhibit will start at 4 p.m. and will be at the end of Cherry Street in Homewood.

There is also talk of commissioning a bronze statue in Marvin’s memory. Donations can be made to the BEAR League with the notation, “Marvin’s memorial fund.” For more information on the League, see http://www.savebears.org.


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