An Altadena, California homeowner has finally had a 500-pound male black bear removed from the crawl space beneath his house after the animal lived there for 37 days. The month-long ordeal resulted in significant property damage and led the resident to seek help from a non-profit animal organization after state wildlife officials were reportedly unsuccessful in their removal attempts.
The large bear, which first took up residence on November 30, was evicted on January 6 with the assistance of the BEAR League, a volunteer-based group specializing in human-bear conflicts. The homeowner had been living without gas service since before Christmas due to safety concerns.
Key Takeaways
- A 500-pound male bear lived under an Altadena home for 37 days, from Nov. 30 to Jan. 6.
- Homeowner Kenneth Johnson shut off his gas supply due to damage caused by the bear.
- The non-profit BEAR League successfully removed the animal after state wildlife officials' attempts failed.
- The removal process by the BEAR League took less than 10 minutes.
- The homeowner has started a fundraiser to cover the costs of extensive repairs.
An Unwanted Tenant
For more than a month, homeowner Kenneth Johnson lived with the constant awareness of a large wild animal just feet below his floor. The bear, estimated to weigh over 500 pounds, had squeezed into the narrow crawl space of his Altadena residence.
The situation quickly escalated from a simple nuisance to a serious safety hazard. According to Johnson, the bear's movements caused extensive damage to the home's infrastructure. "I have video footage of it twisting gas pipes, which created an extremely dangerous situation and forced me to shut off my utilities just to stay safe," he explained.
Living without gas service just before Christmas added to the stress of the situation. Johnson described the experience as frightening. "I can hear him under there, and it's really scary when you hear the banging and crushing and scratching and stuff," he told local news outlet KABC.
By the Numbers
- Weight: 500-550 pounds
- Duration of Stay: 37 days
- Removal Time: Under 10 minutes
- Start Date: November 30
- Eviction Date: January 6
Frustration and a Call for Help
Johnson initially sought assistance from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). After their attempts to remove the animal were unsuccessful, his frustration grew. The homeowner felt he had been left to handle the dangerous and costly situation on his own, even considering legal action against the state agency.
It was at this point that he reached out to the BEAR League, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people and bears coexist. Dave Fleishman of the BEAR League noted the homeowner's predicament. "I saw that Ken was potentially looking at litigation against California Department of Fish and Wildlife because they kind of left him high and dry and fending for himself with this bear under the house,” Fleishman said.
Two first responders from the organization, Scott and Dave, traveled to the Los Angeles area to provide assistance. Their approach was direct and hands-on.
A Quick and Daring Eviction
The removal process was surprisingly swift. Scott, described as one of the BEAR League's most experienced responders, took the daring step of entering the crawl space while the bear was still inside.
He carefully maneuvered behind the large animal and used sounds to encourage it to leave through the main opening. The strategy worked almost immediately. Video of the event shows the bear emerging from the opening and quickly leaving the property as responders shout, "Go away, go, go, go!"
"He looked even more relieved, and I would say even surprised, at how quickly we were able to do it, because literally from the time Scott started crawling under the house to the time the bear was out was less than 10 minutes."
To prevent the bear from returning, the organization installed a loaned electric mat at the entrance of the crawl space. This temporary measure gives Johnson time to make permanent repairs and secure the area against future wildlife intrusions.
About the BEAR League
The BEAR League is a volunteer-based, non-profit organization in California. Its mission is to promote peaceful coexistence between humans and bears through education, aversion techniques, and direct assistance. They advocate for non-lethal solutions to human-bear conflicts, often stepping in when residents are unsure how to handle a bear encounter safely.
The Aftermath and Recovery
With the bear gone, Johnson now faces the challenge of repairing the extensive damage to his home. The cost of fixing heating ducts, potential gas line damage, and securing the structure is substantial.
Compounding the financial strain, Johnson is currently unemployed. To help cover the unexpected expenses, he has created a GoFundMe page. In his appeal, he wrote, "Right after surviving the Eaton fire, I lost my job, and shortly after that the bear began tearing into the structure of my home... Professional traps, safety measures, and repairs are incredibly expensive, and I’m being forced to pay for all of it myself."
As of early January, the fundraising effort had raised over $2,000, providing a starting point for the long process of restoring his home to a safe and habitable condition.