by Altadena, California — A California homeowner is living through a unique and stressful situation after a 550-pound bear made its home in the crawl space beneath his house in Altadena. For Ken Johnson, the past 11 days have been filled with sleep deprivation, strange odors, property damage, and unexpected wildlife encounters.
A Bear Nicknamed “Unbearable”
Johnson, who has a deep appreciation for wildlife, has nicknamed the bear “Unbearable”. Despite his love for animals, the presence of the massive bruin has upended his daily life.
“It’s a lot more stressful than I thought,” Johnson told The Post, describing the constant pounding and rustling noises coming from under his home.
Even during quiet moments at the kitchen table, Johnson can hear the bear pawing around in the crawl space, and nighttime sounds have made sleep nearly impossible.
“I wake up, toss and turn and then I think I hear something, is he under my bed? Last night I didn’t get much sleep,” he said.
Property Damage and Financial Strain
The bear has also caused significant property damage, prompting concerns about repair costs. Johnson noted that the situation is “messing stuff up under the house. That’s going to cost money.” He admitted that the ongoing stress is compounded by the anticipation of further disruption.
Efforts to Remove the Bear
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has been assisting Johnson in trapping the animal. Officials set up a Cambrian Box Trap, baited with a mix of fried chicken, rotisserie chicken, apples, oranges, shrimp, sardines, and peanut butter.
“They are very effective,” said CDFW spokesman Cort Klopping.
Johnson, however, finds the smell from the bait nauseating, saying, “It’s all good food but it’s not something you would want to put all together. It makes me nauseous, it’s so strong.”
Family Pet and Neighborhood Reaction
Johnson’s cat, Boo, has also been affected by the bear’s presence, detecting the animal through the vents and responding with curiosity and caution. Meanwhile, the unusual situation has attracted news crews, photographers, and onlookers, all hoping for a glimpse of the massive bear.
The attention, however, appears to have spooked the bear, leaving Johnson hoping for a return to peace and quiet.
A Year of Challenges for Johnson
The bear is the latest challenge in a difficult year for Johnson, who previously endured smoke damage to his home from the Altadena fires and lost clients in his photography business.
“It was interesting having him here but nothing seems to work,” Johnson said, reflecting on the stressful encounter.
Authorities continue to work on safely relocating the bear, while Johnson waits for his home and life to return to normalcy.
Have You Experienced Wildlife Intrusion?
What would you do if a massive bear moved in under your home? Share your thoughts, wildlife encounters, and safety tips in the comments below!
