550-Pound Black Bear Evicted from California Home After Month-Long Ordeal
ALTADENA, Calif. — A massive 550-pound black bear that had taken up residence beneath a Southern California home for over a month was finally coaxed out by wildlife specialists using an unusual but effective method. The bear had been living in the crawl space of Ken Johnson’s Altadena residence since late November, causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage and creating a hazardous living environment due to structural and gas line compromises.
Surveillance footage captured the enormous bear repeatedly squeezing itself in and out of the small crawl space beneath Johnson’s house. The damage was severe enough that Johnson was forced to shut off utilities to maintain safety after the bear twisted gas pipes, according to a GoFundMe page he created to raise funds for repairs. “Right after surviving the Eaton fire, I lost my job, and shortly after that the bear began tearing into the structure of my home,” Johnson said.
After several unsuccessful attempts by state wildlife officials to remove the bear, Johnson reached out to the BEAR League, a specialized wildlife organization based in Lake Tahoe. The BEAR League dispatched two experienced responders, Scott and Dave, who traveled seven hours south to Altadena to assist.
In a carefully coordinated operation, one responder crawled beneath the home and fired paintballs filled with vegetable oil at the bear’s backside. This unusual tactic successfully encouraged the bear to exit the crawl space through the opening without harm. The entire removal took less than 20 minutes, according to the BEAR League.
“Scott, one of our most experienced responders, crawled beneath the home—fully aware the bear was still there—to get behind him and encourage him to exit through the crawl space opening,” the organization explained in a Facebook post. The BEAR League also took measures to prevent the bear from denning under the house again.
Black bears (Ursus americanus) are known to seek shelter in human structures during colder months, but such prolonged habitation inside a crawl space is rare and dangerous. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife routinely advises residents to secure food sources and avoid attracting bears, but this case presented unique challenges due to the bear’s size and location.
Ken Johnson’s ordeal highlights the complex interactions between wildlife and urban areas in California. The state has experienced increasing bear sightings as habitat encroachment and wildfires alter natural environments. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife offers resources and guidance for safely coexisting with bears.
Following the successful removal, Johnson expressed relief and gratitude toward the BEAR League. The organization’s innovative approach and expertise prevented further damage and ensured the bear’s safe return to the wild. This case underscores the importance of specialized wildlife intervention teams and creative problem-solving in managing human-wildlife conflicts.
For more information on bear safety and removal protocols, residents can consult the National Park Service’s Bear Safety guidelines and the U.S. Forest Service, which provide extensive educational materials on living in bear country.
As California continues to balance urban development with wildlife conservation, incidents like this serve as reminders of the need for vigilance, preparedness, and cooperation between homeowners and wildlife professionals.
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