A homeowner in California has finally succeeded in evicting a massive, 550-pound black bear that had been living underneath his property and causing significant damage for over a month.
A Surprising and Unwelcome Tenant
Kenneth Johnson, a 63-year-old resident of Altadena, made the startling discovery just before the Thanksgiving holiday. The enormous male bear had taken up residence in the crawl space of his home, which is valued at approximately $1.5 million. The bear, known to researchers as Yellow 2120, quickly began to wreak havoc on the property.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) initially attempted to capture the animal using bait and noisemakers, but their efforts proved unsuccessful. Johnson became so frustrated with the lack of progress that he reportedly threatened to sue the department after they allegedly stopped assisting with the bear removal operation.
Volunteers Step In to Save the Day
The homeowner's luck changed dramatically on Tuesday when experts from the BEAR League, a non-profit organisation based in the Lake Tahoe Basin, intervened. The group, which aims to help people live 'in harmony with bears', sent volunteers all the way to Los Angeles to assist Johnson.
In a daring move, one of their most experienced responders, named Scott, crawled under the house while fully aware the bear was still present. His mission was to get behind the animal and encourage it to exit through the crawlspace opening. The strategy worked. Video footage shows the colossal bear crawling out from under the house as volunteers fired paintballs to discourage it from returning.
"I couldn't believe it was so fast," Johnson told local news outlet KTLA. "These guys went in, they crawled in behind him and, boom, he was out. I'm relieved – no more banging under the house and smelling him and wondering what’s going on under there."
Securing the Home and Facing the Aftermath
The story did not end there. Johnson captured footage of the bear attempting to return to its former den just two days later. To prevent a reoccupation, he boarded up the crawl space and installed an electrified mat, loaned by the BEAR League, to deter the animal.
The damage caused during the bear's tenancy was severe. Johnson was forced to shut off his gas supply after capturing video of the animal twisting and breaking a gas pipe, creating an "extremely dangerous situation." Having recently lost his job and survived the nearby Eaton fire, Johnson has since launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the costs of repairs and making his home safe again.
The BEAR League used this case to highlight a crucial message for residents in California wildlife areas. "If you live in bear country, securing your crawlspace is essential," the group stated, noting they evict multiple bears from under homes daily during this season.
