Story perspectives

550-Pound Bear Stays Put Despite Trapping Efforts

12/31/2025

Summary

Story summary

A 550-pound black bear has lived under Ken Johnson’s Altadena home for more than a month, damaging a gas line.
Johnson has tried deterring it with methods like dog-bark sounds, but the bear remains.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has attempted to trap the bear but mistakenly captured another.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife remains committed to helping Johnson by advising him to secure the crawlspace.

History

Historical Context

The Bear Management Act, enacted in California in 2013, aimed to mitigate rising human-bear conflicts, particularly in urban areas like Altadena, where over 1,000 bear incidents were reported annually. This legislation reflects ongoing challenges in managing wildlife interactions, as illustrated by a recent incident involving a 550-pound bear under a home, underscoring the need for effective wildlife management strategies to ensure public safety.

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Story summary

A 550-pound black bear has lived under Ken Johnson’s Altadena home for more than a month, damaging a gas line.
Johnson has tried deterring it with methods like dog-bark sounds, but the bear remains.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has attempted to trap the bear but mistakenly captured another.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife remains committed to helping Johnson by advising him to secure the crawlspace.

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