Bear Roams Free at Hansen Dam, Prompting Police and Wildlife Response

On May 3, 2026, a large black bear entered the outdoor recreational area of Hansen Dam in the San Fernando Valley. Police and California Department of Fish and Wildlife personnel set up a perimeter as crowds gathered. The bear climbed a fence, breached additional fencing, and later perched high in a tree.

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The Hansen Dam sighting was the second bear incident in the San Fernando Valley that weekend. Earlier, a black bear on the Sunland outskirts roamed front yards and rummaged trash cans on Wheatland and Dale avenues before moving on. Police had urged residents to stay calm and remain indoors.

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• Ricardo Villarreal – runner who saw the bear on Osborne Street.

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• Police officer – faced the bear directly and discharged a weapon, missing.

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• California Department of Fish and Wildlife – wildlife officials assisting the response.

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• Saturday evening (before May 3) – Bear observed in Sunland, entering yards and trash cans.

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• May 3, 2026, early afternoon – Runner Ricardo Villarreal sees bear climbing a fence on Osborne Street.

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• Moments later – Police officer fires; bear breaches fence and stands beside a Hansen Dam map.

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• Later that day – Bear climbs a tree; authorities continue monitoring.

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Villarreal said the encounter was unexpected, noting he had jogged at Hansen Dam for years without seeing a bear. Video showed police establishing a perimeter and wildlife officials moving through the area. The bear was later seen beside a park map before climbing a tree.

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Law enforcement and wildlife officials confirmed a strong presence at the park and urged the public to stay indoors and remain calm. No aggression by the bear was reported. Officials have not announced a specific removal plan, and the situation remains under active monitoring.

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Local observers noted the absence of a clear removal strategy, raising concerns for public safety and the bear’s welfare. No formal agency criticism was documented.

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• The precise time the bear entered Hansen Dam is not given.

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• Authorities have not disclosed a definitive relocation method.

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• No aggression has been reported, but future encounter risk remains unaddressed.

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• “I thought he was going to attack me,” — Ricardo Villarreal, runner

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• “The police officer said, ‘Hey, man, you better run because he’s coming this way.’” — Police officer (quoted by Villarreal)

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• “It was scary,” — Ricardo Villarreal, runner

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The incident highlights challenges of wildlife management in densely populated urban areas, raises public safety concerns, and prompts review of protocols for free-roaming large mammals.

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Authorities continue to monitor the bear’s location and are expected to develop a removal plan. Updates will be provided as the situation evolves.

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