For over a month, a massive black bear turned the crawl space beneath a Los Angeles home into its winter den, creating a bizarre and unsettling situation for the homeowner.
Ken Johnson, of Altadena, first noticed the bear’s presence around Thanksgiving. The animal wasn’t a quiet tenant; it ripped apart screening, toppled bricks, and dangerously twisted gas lines as it moved in and out of its makeshift home.
Initial attempts by state wildlife officials to dislodge the bear proved futile. Air horns and paintball guns failed to deter the powerful animal, leaving Johnson increasingly anxious about the potential for disaster.
Desperate, Johnson contacted BEAR League, a California-based organization specializing in human-bear conflict resolution. Their approach proved remarkably effective, with the bear exiting the crawl space within twenty minutes of their arrival.
A seasoned BEAR League responder bravely crawled under the house, positioning themselves behind the estimated 500-pound bear to gently encourage its departure. It was a delicate operation, requiring both courage and understanding of bear behavior.
Johnson described the relief as akin to a party finally ending, though this was a far more stressful event. The aftermath, however, left him with a significant mess – and substantial damage to repair.
To prevent the bear’s return, the team strategically placed an “unwelcome” mat – a device delivering a harmless electric shock – at the opening. Surveillance footage captured the bear’s immediate reaction, quickly retreating after stepping onto the mat.
Dave Fleishman, a BEAR League spokesperson, described the bear as one of the largest he’d ever encountered, ranking it among his top three. He sensed the bear wasn’t malicious, simply seeking a secure and quiet place to spend the winter.
However, the bear’s presence had caused extensive damage to Johnson’s property, including shredded ductwork and compromised gas lines. The potential for a fire or gas leak was a serious concern, necessitating urgent repairs.
The dual crawl spaces beneath the house provided the BEAR League team with easier access, allowing for a swift and “standard eviction” – a procedure they frequently perform, particularly in the Lake Tahoe region.
Even after the initial eviction, the bear returned at least once, prolonging Johnson’s anxiety. The constant uncertainty of its potential reappearance created a persistent sense of tension.
The damage inflicted by the bear amounts to thousands of dollars, a particularly heavy burden for Johnson, who had recently lost his job due to last year’s devastating Eaton wildfire. He is now working to restore his home and regain a sense of security.
