> At a Glance
> – A 550-pound bear lived beneath an Altadena home for 37 days starting Nov. 30
> – The BEAR League removed the animal on Jan. 6 after state wildlife officials failed
> – The bear damaged heating ducts and gas lines, forcing the homeowner to shut off utilities
> – Why it matters: The incident highlights gaps in state wildlife response and leaves residents facing costly repairs alone
For more than a month, Kenneth Johnson shared his Altadena property with an unwelcome houseguest: a massive bear that had taken up residence in the crawl space beneath his home.
The Unwanted Tenant
The bear, estimated at over 500 pounds, squeezed into the tight space and began wreaking havoc. Johnson told News Of Los Angeles he heard “banging and crushing and scratching” as the animal damaged heating ducts and twisted gas pipes, creating a dangerous situation that forced him to shut off utilities just before Christmas.
State wildlife officials attempted removal but were unsuccessful, leaving Johnson frustrated and threatening legal action against the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. With no help from the state, Johnson turned to the BEAR League, a non-profit animal organization.
The Rescue Operation
On Jan. 6, BEAR League first responders Scott and Dave arrived at the Los Angeles-area home. Scott, one of the organization’s most experienced responders, crawled beneath the house while the bear was still inside.
Dave Fleishman of the BEAR League explained the approach:
> “Scott crawled beneath the home – fully aware the bear was still there – to get behind him and encourage him to exit through the crawl space opening.”
The entire operation took less than 10 minutes. A video shared by the organization shows the bear running out after hearing loud sounds, with someone shouting “Go away, go, go, go!” in the background.
Aftermath and Repairs
The BEAR League provided the homeowner with electric unwelcome mats to prevent future visits while repairs are made. Johnson has since created a GoFundMe page to cover the extensive damage, raising $2,112 as of Jan. 9.
Johnson’s situation was particularly challenging:
- He survived the Eaton fire
- Lost his job shortly after
- Faced complete responsibility for removal and repair costs while unemployed
Kenneth Johnson wrote on his fundraising page:
> “I’ve reached out for help, but the state has declined to get involved, leaving me fully responsible for the cost of removal. Professional traps, safety measures, and repairs are incredibly expensive.”
Key Takeaways
- A 550-pound bear lived under an Altadena home for 37 days before removal
- The BEAR League succeeded where California wildlife officials failed
- The homeowner faces thousands in repair costs for damaged heating and gas systems
- The incident exposes limitations in state wildlife management protocols
The bear’s eviction marks the end of a stressful chapter for Johnson, but highlights the challenges homeowners face when wildlife problems exceed state response capabilities.
