LA County Foothill Residents Alerted to Rise in Bear Break-Ins

Increased Bear Activity in LA Foothills

• 🐻 Bear break-ins are on the rise in Los Angeles County's foothill communities, prompting wildlife officials to issue safety reminders.
• 🏠 Residents in areas like Sierra Madre are reporting bears attempting to enter homes, with one incident involving a bear trying to push through a doggy door.

Resident Experiences and Concerns

• 🌳 For many residents, living near the mountains is unique, but recent bear encounters have become concerningly close.
• 💬 Neighbors are using group chats to share videos and alerts about bear sightings and break-in attempts.
• 📹 Videos shared by residents show bears, including one with cubs, appearing in yards and on porches.

Wildlife Official Guidance and Response

• 📊 The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has received 15 reports of bear sightings or encounters this month alone, with some involving break-in attempts.
• ⚠️ Officials advise residents to keep food sources and trash cans secured to prevent bears from developing a habit of visiting neighborhoods.
• 🔍 The Department of Fish and Wildlife is currently monitoring the situation and communicating with residents.