Massive 500-Pound Black Bear Takes Up Residence Under Altadena Home

Uninvited Guest Under the House

• 🐻 A homeowner in Altadena is sharing his home with a 500-pound black bear that has taken up residence in his crawlspace.
• 🏠 The bear has been observed coming and going for months, but has been consistently staying beneath the home for nearly a week.
• 🔊 The homeowner has tried to get the bear to leave by making noise, but it only retreats for about 20 minutes each night.

Wildlife Agency Advice and Homeowner Frustration

• 💡 California Fish and Wildlife officials have advised the homeowner to use rags soaked in ammonia and make loud noises to try and drive the bear out.
• 🚫 However, the homeowner expressed frustration, stating that wildlife officials no longer tranquilize and relocate bears as they might have in the past.
• 🚧 The bear has been seen peeking out, snarling, and making a hissing sound, making the homeowner feel uneasy knowing the large animal is directly beneath his living space.

Bear Encounters in the San Gabriel Foothills

• ⛰️ Experts suggest that bears seeking a warm place to rest during colder weather might be the reason for these intrusions.
• 🗓️ This is not an isolated incident; similar situations involving bears living under homes have occurred in Sierra Madre (September 2024) and Monrovia (February of an unspecified year).
• 🥶 The homeowner is concerned about the bear potentially hibernating under his house and would prefer to have it removed before spring.