Ken Johnson, 63, picked up an unexpected roommate last week: a very large black bear now living rent-free in the crawl space under his Southern California home.
He installed a camera months ago after spotting some mysterious damage. Nothing showed up until last week, when the footage revealed a furry head emerging from beneath the house. Now he’s trying to evict a tenant that’s roughly the size of a kitchen table.
“It’s a huge bear,” Johnson said. “I don’t know if he’s going to tear everything up down there. I don’t know how to get him out.”
Altadena, the community he lives in, was hit hard by the Eaton Fire in January. Beyond the human toll, the blaze pushed wildlife into neighborhoods. Bears have shown up in empty homes, pool decks, and—apparently—crawl spaces. One giant 525-pound bear was even removed earlier this year so utility crews could restore power.
State wildlife officials warn that bears like to “den” during cooler months. They don’t fully hibernate in Southern California, but they do look for cozy spots to nap, emerging occasionally for snacks. Crawl spaces make ideal bear Airbnbs.
Johnson’s bear has made itself at home. He hears thuds and bumps under the floorboards. It raided his trash cans. Neighbors call the bear Barry, recognizable by its dark fur, tan snout, and two chest markings.
After the animal growled at him while he changed camera batteries, Johnson contacted local police. They told him to file an online sighting report. He clicked “Property Damage” and typed: “It’s living under my house.” No one has responded yet.
A state wildlife spokesperson said teams are juggling multiple bear cases and will get to him soon. Bears in crawl spaces are common this time of year, with as many as five in a single week.
Meanwhile, Johnson is brainstorming his own relocation plan.
“I’m going to buy a bunch of dinner rolls and make a trail down the street,” he said. “When he follows the bread, I’ll seal the hole with sandbags and pepper spray. Hopefully he decides he likes someone else’s house better.”
Original article published here.
