Altadena resident discovers bear residing in crawl space beneath his house: 'He's been coming and going all week'

An Altadena resident was stunned last week when he discovered a massive 500-pound bear living beneath his home. The animal has since refused to leave, creating a challenging situation for the homeowner.

Ken Johnson, a local product photographer, explained that the situation began when he reviewed footage from a surveillance camera last Tuesday and realized a bear had taken residence in his narrow crawl space for the winter. Back in June, I noticed the crawl space was completely torn up, Johnson told Eyewitness News. Bricks were displaced and the frame was damaged, so I installed a camera to see what was going on.

Johnson recalled seeing a YouTube video about another Altadena resident whose crawl space had been used by a bear, which made him suspicious. It looked very similar to my own crawl space, so I thought it might be possible. Soon enough, my camera caught a bear crawling out from under my home, and it has been coming and going all week, he said.

The bear spends most of its time directly under Johnsons kitchen, allowing him to hear its movements. I expected it to leave by now. Its unnerving, he said. The longer it stays, the more comfortable it gets, and this situation isnt going to resolve on its own.

Johnson even had a close encounter while replacing the camera batteries. I went to change them, and a massive growl erupted from beneath the space. It terrified me. The sound is unusualpart roar, part hiss, almost like a dragon. Hearing it from underneath made it even more intense, he said.

The bear has become well-known in the neighborhood along Altadena Drive near the San Gabriel Mountains, having been seen almost weekly for over six months. Some locals believe that the Eaton Fire destroyed its natural habitat, forcing the animal to seek shelter and food in the area.

Our neighbors had a bear, and now theres one across the street. The fires in the mountains left them homeless, said neighbor Janet Patton. Where else are they going to go? A dark, quiet basement is ideal.

Due to the bears size and tagging, Johnson is concerned for safety. He plans to lure the bear out of the crawl space and block the entrance with sandbags.

Johnson contacted the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), which is monitoring the situation and may capture the bear to return it to the mountains. Keep a safe distance and give the bear space to escape. Bears avoid humans, and if cornered, it can become dangerous. If they see a way out, they will take it. Make yourself appear large, wave your arms, and back away slowly, advised Cort Klopping from CDFW.

CDFW also emphasized the importance of securing crawl spaces, particularly during colder months, to prevent similar encounters.

Author: Sophia Brooks