A sizeable black bear established its temporary residence within the crawl space of a residence in the Angeles area of Southern California, remaining there for more than a month and causing structural and utility damage to the property. The homeowner, Ken Johnson of Altadena, reported that the bear began inhabiting the space around Thanksgiving, during which it caused noticeable destruction, including the twisting of gas lines and the displacement of bricks around the house as it moved in and out.
Surveillance footage captured the bear effortlessly tearing away protective screens and other barriers, squeezing through a small access point to gain entry beneath the home. Initial attempts to resolve the situation involved Johnson contacting state wildlife authorities who employed air horns and paintball guns with the intention of frightening the bear out of the crawl space. These methods proved ineffective, prompting Johnson to seek assistance from BEAR League, a California-based nonprofit organization focused on fostering coexistence between humans and bears.
According to a communication from BEAR League on social media posted Thursday, one of the organization's most seasoned responders physically entered the crawl space, maneuvered behind the bear—estimated to weigh in excess of 500 pounds (227 kilograms)—and skillfully encouraged it to vacate the premises. The homeowner expressed surprise at the swift manner in which the removal was accomplished, noting the responder’s direct approach resulted in the bear departing "boom, he was out."
Following the bear's eviction, the nonprofit installed an "unwelcome" mat at the crawl space entrance, a device designed to deliver a mild electric shock as a deterrent. Subsequent video evidence demonstrated the bear momentarily returning to the site, stepping onto the mat, and immediately retreating, indicating the efficacy of this preventive measure.
Requests for further comments were directed to Johnson and BEAR League but remained unanswered as of Friday. Separately, Johnson has conveyed via a GoFundMe campaign that the presence of the bear has led to thousands of dollars in property damage. This financial strain is compounded by his recent unemployment following the Eaton wildfire event last year. He is actively pursuing repairs to render his home habitable once again.