A recent attempt to capture a hefty 550-pound bear residing beneath a home in Altadena, California, resulted in an unexpected twist, as reported by The Los Angeles Times. The trap inadvertently ensnared an unintended creature, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing efforts.
This incident represents yet another setback in the mission to relocate the male black bear, which has made the property its temporary den for about a month now. The bear has been a familiar sight on surveillance footage, squeezing in and out of a cramped crawlspace beneath homeowner Ken Johnson’s residence since late November.
Despite numerous strategies involving bait and noise devices over several weeks, the bear remained elusive. In response, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) decided to place a bear trap on December 9, according to the LA Times.
Surveillance footage has documented the bear’s daring maneuvers as it claimed its unconventional shelter. (Ken Johnson via Storyful)
Approximately a week after setting the trap, Johnson was alarmed to hear the sound of the metal cage clattering. Upon investigation, he discovered that the wrong bear had been captured, further complicating their efforts to resolve the situation.
Roughly one week later, Johnson reportedly heard the metal cage rattling from inside his home but later realized that the wrong bear had been captured.
“CDFW biologists have set up traps with bait, installed cameras and lights for remote monitoring, and worked repeatedly to haze the bear from this property,” the agency told Fox News Digital on Tuesday.
“CDFW has also advised that the crawlspace be secured on the multiple occasions the bear has left the home, which is a critically important step to help ensure the bear cannot return,” it added. “CDFW has and will continue to engage with the homeowner to advise on hazing methodologies and the critical need to close the crawlspace, monitor cameras, and offer support to help ensure the bear leaves the crawlspace and finds more suitable habitat.”
A large male black bear has been living under an Altadena, California, home for roughly one month following weeks of failed removal attempts. (Ken Johnson via Storyful)
The bear that was caught was later tagged and released in a nearby suitable habitat, the department told LA Times.
The outlet added that Johnson reportedly made multiple efforts to scare the bear away, including creating a loud makeshift alarm and playing hours of dog-barking sounds through speakers pointed into the vents.
However, none of it has worked.
Numerous attempts to flush out a 550-pound male black bear residing underneath a home in Altadena, California, have failed. (Ken Johnson via Storyful)
Bear sightings are common in Altadena, located at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.
According to the local outlet, Johnson and his neighbors frequently spot bears, especially on trash days, and recently, a second bear even entered the crawlspace before being scared off by the original squatter.
The CDFW added that despite the failed attempts, the agency remains committed to removing the bear from the residential property.
“The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is committed to helping Californians across the state who are having unwelcome encounters with wildlife, which can cause stress and pose complicated challenges for peaceful coexistence,” the agency told Fox News Digital.
“Despite very limited staff, CDFW biologists have been in constant communication with this homeowner since this bear was reported entering his unsecured crawlspace in November. We remain committed to helping this homeowner and have never indicated otherwise.”
