Bear Takes Up Residence Under Altadena Home, Startling Resident
A homeowner in Altadena, California, is sharing his space – unwillingly – with a large bear that has taken up residence under his house. The unusual situation highlights the increasing challenges of human-wildlife conflict in the region, exacerbated by drought and recent wildfires.
kenneth Johnson, 63, first noticed signs of an intruder earlier this year, with damage to the crawl space of his home appearing in april and june.After installing a camera, he confirmed his suspicions last week: a bear had moved in beneath his abode. “I don’t know how it got under there. It must be a contortionist,” Johnson told The Times. “This thing is so big its stomach touches the ground.”
According to footage obtained by Johnson, the bear has a yellow tag on its left ear, suggesting it has been previously identified by wildlife authorities. The bear’s sex remains unkown, and its species is yet to be confirmed. Video shows the animal struggling to navigate the confined space, using its paws to maneuver its body.
the presence of the bear has understandably caused some anxiety for Johnson. “It’s uncomfortable walking into the kitchen thinking there’s a bear over there,” he said. While he doesn’t believe the bear poses an immediate threat, he is wary of encountering it near the side of the house. The bear startled Johnson on Friday morning with a roar, leaving him “shaking like a leaf for half an hour,” and even his cat, Boo, is reportedly terrified.
Despite the initial shock, the bear appears to be largely non-aggressive, and neighbors have reported seeing it roam the area previously. The animal leaves the property during the day, likely in search of food, and returns at night.
Johnson is no stranger to wildlife encounters. He recounted previous sightings on his property, including a bear cub in 2017, a bobcat, and a skunk.He even recalled an incident involving an eight-foot boa constrictor discovered in his garage. “We’re used to seeing wildlife in Altadena. But it’s changed because of drought and fire,” he explained.
The recent Eaton fire, which scorched over 14,000 acres in Altadena and Pasadena in January, has undoubtedly contributed to the increased presence of wildlife in residential areas. A similar situation unfolded in Pasadena last February, when a 500-pound bear, nicknamed “Yogi,” was found living under a home after residents were forced to evacuate due to the fire. Yogi was subsequently relocated to the Angeles National forest.
Johnson has proposed two names for his current houseguest – Ursa or Barry, depending on its sex. He has contacted the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for assistance but has yet to receive a response due to the Thanksgiving holiday. The department did not instantly respond to a request for comment on Sunday.
As of Saturday morning, the bear remained under Johnson’s home.”and it hasn’t left since,” he said. while he acknowledges feeling “okay with it,” Johnson ultimately hopes the bear will move on.
