A Southern California homeowner says he is living in fear after a 550-pound black bear took up residence beneath his house, and he now plans to sue state wildlife officials for failing to remove it.
Ken Johnson, a resident of Altadena, claims the bear has been living in the crawlspace under his home since November 30, causing damage and disrupting his life for nearly a month. He alleges the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has failed to act despite repeated requests for help.
“This has gone on long enough,” Johnson told KTLA. “They’ve dealt with this bear before. They chose not to euthanize it, and now it’s back. It’s just going to keep happening.”
A Bear That Won’t Leave
According to Johnson, the massive black bear first entered the crawlspace beneath his home in late November and has refused to leave since. He says the animal has caused structural damage and left him feeling unsafe inside his own house.
The bear is reportedly tagged, meaning it has previously been captured and monitored by wildlife officials, a fact Johnson believes should have prompted quicker action.
“I feel defeated,” he said. “Am I supposed to stay awake all night waiting for it to come out? Sleep in the kitchen and listen for it?”
Johnson added that the situation has taken such a toll that he turned off his gas supply on Christmas Eve as a precaution.
Wildlife Officials Say Efforts Are Ongoing
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife disputes claims that it has abandoned the case.
In a statement to the New York Post, a CDFW spokesperson said the department has been “in constant communication” with Johnson since the bear was first reported.
“We remain committed to helping this homeowner and have never indicated otherwise,” the spokesperson said.
According to the department, wildlife officers attempted multiple methods to remove the bear, including
- Spraying cherry- and caramel-scented deterrents
- Setting up a large metal trap
- Using bait such as fried chicken, sardines, shrimp, peanut butter, and fruit
Despite the efforts, the bear refused to take the bait. Instead, another bear was reportedly drawn to the trap.
A Brief Exit: Then a Return
Officials say the bear briefly left the crawlspace on Christmas Day, wandered around the property, and then returned to the same spot beneath the house.
Johnson claims that after this incident, wildlife officials told him they were ending active removal efforts, a decision that left him frustrated and fearful.
“They just stopped,” he said. “And now I’m left dealing with this on my own.”
When asked to respond to the department’s version of events, Johnson declined to comment further, saying he would wait until he had “proper legal representation.”
Legal Action Looms
Johnson has indicated he may pursue legal action against the department, arguing that officials failed to protect him despite knowing the bear posed an ongoing risk.
The case highlights a broader issue in California, where human-wildlife conflicts are increasing as development expands into bear habitats, particularly in foothill communities near Los Angeles.
Wildlife experts say relocating bears is difficult and sometimes counterproductive, as relocated animals often return or struggle to survive elsewhere.
A Growing Problem Across California
Black bear encounters have become more common across the state, especially during colder months when animals search for shelter and food. Wildlife officials typically discourage residents from feeding or interacting with bears, but situations like Johnson’s present a more complicated challenge.
For now, the bear remains in his home.
And Johnson, unable to sleep and worried about safety, says he’s running out of patience.
TL;DR
- A 550-pound black bear has been living under a California man’s home for nearly a month
- Homeowner Ken Johnson says wildlife officials failed to remove it
- CDFW says it has made repeated attempts and remains involved
- The bear briefly left but returned to the crawlspace
- Johnson is considering legal action and says the situation has become unbearable
