An unusual wildlife encounter has spiraled into a month-long standoff between a Southern California homeowner and a massive black bear that refuses to leave.
According to the New York Post, Ken Johnson of Altadena says a 550-pound bruin has been camped out beneath his home since Nov. 30, turning daily life into a sleepless, nerve-wracking ordeal and causing extensive damage to the property.
Now, Johnson says he is prepared to take legal action against the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, accusing the agency of abandoning removal efforts.
Johnson told KTLA that he has reached his limit.
“This has gone on long enough, and it’s something that they should deal with. It’s a tagged bear. They’ve dealt with it before. They chose not to euthanize it, and now it’s back and it’s just going to keep on doing this,” he said.
State officials strongly dispute that claim.
“Despite very limited staff, CDFW biologists have been in constant communication with this homeowner since this bear was reported entering his unsecured crawlspace in November. We remain committed to helping this homeowner and have never indicated otherwise,” a department spokesperson told The Post.
Johnson, for his part, declined further comment on potential legal action.
“I’d really like to comment, but I’m not going to until I have proper legal representation,” he told The Post.
Wildlife officials did respond shortly after the bear first settled under the home, according to the department. Crews attempted to lure the animal out using cherry- and caramel-scented sprays, but the bear refused to budge.
A large metal trap stocked with fried chicken, sardines, shrimp, peanut butter, and fruit was later deployed. The trap worked — just not as intended — capturing a different bear roaming the neighborhood instead.
Footage obtained by The Post shows the bear finally emerging from Johnson’s crawlspace on Christmas morning, briefly circling the property before disappearing back underneath the house.
Johnson said it was shortly after that appearance that he was told removal efforts were ending.
“I felt very defeated. I just dropped. Now what? It’s all up to me, and I’m supposed to watch my phone when he comes out in the middle of the night? Or sleep in the kitchen and listen for him every night?” he told KTLA.
The stress has taken a physical toll. Johnson says the bear regularly wakes him around 5 a.m.
“I wake up, toss and turn and then I think I hear something, is he under my bed? Last night I didn’t get much sleep,” he told The Post.
The damage has also mounted. Johnson said he was forced to shut off his gas on Christmas Eve after discovering destruction caused by the bear.
“I can’t take a hot shower. I’ve got to monitor the situation all the time,” he said.
Despite the growing tension, the department says it remains focused on resolving the situation.
“The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is committed to helping Californians across the state who are having unwelcome encounters with wildlife, which can cause stress and pose complicated challenges for peaceful coexistence,” the agency said.
