A bear that has taken up residence in the crawlspace of a Southern California home has refused to leave, leaving its owner, Ken Johnson, on edge as the animal continues to growl and hiss.
The Bear
Ken Johnson, the homeowner, told NBC Los Angeles last week that the bear had a history of frequenting his house. The animal is now settled in the narrow crawlspace, beneath pipes, air ducts, and dirt, and has not moved despite attempts to keep it out. Johnson said the bear is male, ear‑tagged, and can weigh up to 550 pounds. The Department of California Fish and Wildlife has identified the bear as a resident of the foothill area.
Homeowner’s Experience
“I feel nervous all the time,” Johnson said. “I’m always looking over my shoulder to see if he’s coming out.” Johnson first mentioned the bear’s presence to the media after it began growling and hissing. The animal destroyed a trash can and has made repeated noises in the crawlspace. “The cat was sniffing around the vent that comes up in the kitchen because he’s right underneath there,” Johnson explained. “Last night, (I heard) all this banging around underneath the ground. The next thing he knows, he’s on the camera again, coming out.”
Wildlife Agency Response
The Department of California Fish and Wildlife urged residents in foothill communities to remove attractants such as pet food, fallen fruit, and bird feeders. “If you have fruit trees around your home, removing any fruit that has fallen is a good idea,” said Cort Klopping, a spokesperson for the state agency. “Bird feeders, believe it or not, are attractants to bears.” The agency also recommends blocking access to homes when a bear is not present and filing a wildlife incident report on its website. Johnson has filed reports and tried to block home access, but the bear remains.
Community Context
The Altadena community, located northeast of Los Angeles, was devastated by the Eaton Fire in January, which killed at least 19 people and scorched thousands of structures. The fire also burned through the nearby Angeles National Forest, displacing wildlife from their natural habitats and destroying their food supply. After the fire, at least two reports surfaced of bears taking refuge in evacuated homes in Altadena, according to The Associated Press. Johnson’s situation follows this pattern of bears seeking shelter in human structures.
Key Takeaways
- A male bear, weighing up to 550 pounds, has established a permanent presence in a crawlspace in Altadena.
- Despite multiple attempts, including a 30‑pound brick lining, the bear continues to growl, hiss, and damage property.
- The Department of California Fish and Wildlife advises residents to eliminate attractants and file incident reports to manage bear encounters.
The bear’s persistence highlights the challenges of wildlife encounters in Southern California’s foothill regions, especially in communities recovering from recent fires. Residents and officials alike must balance safety measures with the realities of animals adapting to human environments.
