Trap Set to Catch 550-Lb. Bear Living in Crawl Space Under California Home Captures the Wrong Animal

Trap to Catch Bear Living in Crawl Space Under California Home Captures the Wrong Animal

In a bizarre turn of events, a trap set up to catch a bear residing in a crawl space under a home in California ended up capturing the wrong animal. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, called in to deal with the troublesome bear issue, confirmed that they had caught a “non-target bear” instead, as reported by PEOPLE.

The 550-pound bear, which had been causing disturbances and residing in the crawl space beneath Kenneth Johnson’s Altadena home, was not the bear caught in the trap set by the wildlife department. Cort Klopping from California Fish and Wildlife explained that the captured bear was relocated to a suitable habitat nearby after being processed and tagged by biologists.

Despite the mix-up, authorities are still on the lookout for the bear that has been causing havoc in the Altadena neighbourhood. The bear in question was observed on camera squeezing through the small entrance to the crawl space, sparking concerns among residents and wildlife officials.

Distinguishing between the bear caught in the trap and the bear seen entering the crawl space, California Fish and Wildlife determined that they were dealing with two different bears. The targeted bear, weighing 550 pounds, is of an unknown species, with its brown fur indicating it is not a wild brown bear commonly found in California.

The troublesome bear first made its presence known to Johnson back in February, shortly after a series of wildfires in Los Angeles were contained. Damage to the crawl space entrance prompted Johnson to set up surveillance, where he discovered the sizable bear making regular visits to the area, as reported by NBC Los Angeles.

Despite initial disbelief that such a large bear could fit into the crawl space, Johnson’s fears were confirmed in November when he obtained video footage of the bear maneuvering its way into the confined space. Johnson shared his discomfort at knowing the bear was so close to his home, expressing relief that he hadn’t encountered the animal up close.

Authorities are now intensifying efforts to locate and safely remove the bear still at large in the Altadena area. As the community remains on edge, residents are advised to remain cautious and report any further bear sightings promptly to the wildlife department.

The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing human-wildlife conflicts in California, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to ensure the safety of both residents and animals in urban settings. With the bear trap mishap highlighting the challenges faced by wildlife authorities, efforts continue to contain the situation and protect the community from further disturbances.

As the search for the elusive bear continues, residents are urged to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions to avoid confrontations with wildlife in their neighbourhood. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife remains committed to resolving the bear issue and ensuring the well-being of both the community and the bears roaming the area.