A Southern California resident, Ken Johnson, is facing an unexpected challenge: an uninvited black bear has taken up residence in his crawl space. Johnson, 63, discovered the bear's presence through a camera he installed in June, which initially captured signs of animal activity but no actual bear. The bear's arrival coincides with a recent fire in the area, the Eaton Fire, which ravaged Altadena, an unincorporated community northeast of Los Angeles. The fire displaced wildlife and destroyed their habitats, potentially contributing to the bear's presence in residential areas.
Johnson's encounter with the bear is not an isolated incident. The CDFW (California Department of Fish and Wildlife) reported similar cases in January and February, where bears sought refuge in evacuated homes due to the fire. In one instance, a massive 525-pound male bear was removed from a crawl space, highlighting the challenges of managing wildlife in the aftermath of natural disasters. The CDFW emphasizes the importance of securing crawl spaces with bear-proof materials to prevent property damage during the winter months, when bears engage in denning behavior.
Johnson's bear, estimated to be as tall as a table, has been causing disruptions. It has been heard rummaging through trash cans and making noises under the floorboards. The bear's presence has prompted Johnson to seek assistance from local law enforcement and state officials, but the response has been slow. The CDFW is currently handling multiple bear incidents in the region, and Johnson is awaiting a resolution. As a last resort, Johnson considers using dinner rolls and sandbags to catch the bear, hoping to deter it from his property.
