A massive bear settled under a California home has sparked a debate between non-lethal wildlife management and the safety of suburban families.
Story Highlights
- A 550-pound bear is using a California home’s crawl space as a den.
- Efforts to remove the bear have been unsuccessful, highlighting coexistence challenges.
- Residents are frustrated with non-lethal wildlife management policies.
- Community is concerned about safety and property damage.
Bear Settles Under California Home, Raising Safety Concerns
In Altadena, California, a 550-pound black bear has taken residence in a crawl space beneath a suburban home. The homeowner, Ken Johnson, discovered the bear had torn off access panels to make its winter den. Despite attempts to deter it, the bear remains, exemplifying a growing issue at the wildland-urban interface where human and wildlife territories overlap.
This situation underscores the challenge of managing wildlife in residential areas where traditional removal methods are limited by California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) non-lethal policy. The agency advises securing crawl spaces and emphasizes coexistence, but residents express frustration over potential property damage and safety concerns.
Understanding the Human-Wildlife Conflict
California’s black bears are known to inhabit foothill communities, particularly during the colder months when they seek convenient denning sites. The gentle winters in Southern California mean bears do not hibernate but enter a state of torpor, becoming less active but not completely dormant. This behavioral pattern has led to an increase in bears using human structures for dens.
Altadena, situated at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, frequently sees bear activity. Residents often report sightings in yards and streets, especially when bears forage for food in unsecured trash cans. The overlap of human habitats with bear territories has made these interactions more common and contentious.
Policy and Community Response
CDFW has adopted a policy of conflict reduction and coexistence, advocating for preventive measures over lethal intervention. This policy aims to balance wildlife protection with public safety, but it has sparked debate among residents. Many homeowners, like Ken Johnson, are concerned about the risks posed by large animals under their homes.
The community is pushing for more effective solutions, including reinforced building codes and better trash management. However, the challenge remains in addressing immediate safety concerns while adhering to non-lethal management practices.
550-pound bear settles in beneath an California home, thwarting creative efforts to move him out https://t.co/9wkMZMyD7k
— East Bay Times (@EastBayTimes) December 9, 2025
The ongoing presence of the bear under Johnson’s home highlights the need for comprehensive strategies to manage wildlife in urban settings. While CDFW continues to monitor the situation and provide guidance, the debate between safety and coexistence persists.
