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In Altadena, a 550-pound bear has taken up residence in the crawl space of Ken Johnson's home, prompting intervention from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The bear, which has been in the crawl space for over a week, was previously tagged and released by CDFW after being found in the Angeles National Forest, about 10 miles from Altadena.
According to KPTV, Johnson discovered the bear last Tuesday after noticing damage under his home. The bear, described as having dark brown fur with a tan snoot and two tan marks on its chest, has been seen rummaging through trash cans in the neighborhood. Neighbors have nicknamed the bear Barry, though its gender remains unknown.
CDFW spokesperson Cort Klopping stated that the bear considers the area its home, making relocation efforts challenging. The department has set up cameras to monitor the bear's movements and brought a lure to coax it out. However, the bear's size and the presence of curious onlookers have complicated the process.
The situation highlights the impact of the Eaton Fire, which devastated the Angeles National Forest in January, displacing wildlife and leading to increased bear sightings in residential areas. The CDFW has advised residents in bear-prone areas to secure crawl spaces with bear-proof materials to prevent similar incidents.
Johnson, frustrated by the delay in removing the bear, has considered taking matters into his own hands by using dinner rolls to lure the bear out and then sealing the crawl space. CDFW officials hope to resolve the situation soon, as they are currently handling multiple bear incidents in the region.