Man Discovers ‘Big and Ferocious’ Bear Under California Home After Noticing Damage to Tiny Crawl Space

A Southern California homeowner had an unexpected surprise when a bear decided to take up residence under his house. Kenneth Johnson, a resident of Altadena, noticed damage to his crawl space in February, suspecting an intruder, but it wasn’t until November that he discovered the true culprit – a large bear making itself at home.

First noticing bricks moved and the wooden frame broken around the crawl space, Johnson became increasingly concerned as more damage appeared in June. Deciding to set up a camera in his yard, he captured footage of the bear nonchalantly strolling past his house. However, it wasn’t until November that the bear was caught on camera squeezing into the tiny crawl space.

The video footage shows the bear, possibly a black bear based on Department of Fish and Wildlife identification, climbing out of the crawl space using its front paws. Johnson described the bear as “big and ferocious,” highlighting the unnerving experience of knowing such a sizable wild animal was living beneath his home.

Living in an area still recovering from the impact of the Eaton fire earlier in the year, Johnson and his neighbours have been cautious but mostly unharmed by the bear’s presence. Nevertheless, an encounter on November 28 whilst changing his camera’s batteries left Johnson running in fear, shaking for half an hour after hearing a growl and a hiss echoing from the crawl space.

Despite the anxiety caused by the bear’s unexpected residency, Johnson has retained a sense of humour about the situation, jokingly considering naming the bear Ursa or Barry based on its gender. He has reached out to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for assistance in safely relocating the bear before the holidays, as he quipped, “I don’t need a bear for Christmas.”

While the California Department of Fish and Wildlife hasn’t responded to queries about the situation, Johnson’s hope is to have the bear evicted from the crawl space and moved to a more suitable location. In the meantime, he keeps a watchful eye on his unwelcome guest, ensuring both his own safety and that of the bear living beneath his home.

The unexpected cohabitation with a wild bear has brought a mix of worry and amusement to Johnson, who remains hopeful for a resolution as the holiday season approaches. With concerns about safety and the bear’s well-being in mind, Johnson navigates this unique living situation with a blend of caution and humour, eager to find a peaceful solution as soon as possible.