State biologists are assessing how to move the animal safely as foothill residents report more bear activity near the San Gabriels.
ALTADENA, Calif. — California wildlife officials are evaluating next steps after Ken Johnson documented a large black bear using the crawl space beneath his Altadena house, an unusual den site that has drawn repeated visits from the tagged animal since late November.
The case highlights a growing friction zone along the mountain front, where homes abut drainages that serve as wildlife corridors. Officials say bears seek secure, dark spaces to wait out winter and will use human structures when natural cavities are limited. Johnson reported property damage and submitted video clips showing the bear slipping through a narrow opening and bedding down under his living room. The Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed it is tracking the report alongside other high-priority calls. The agency must balance public safety, animal welfare and logistics on a tight staffing calendar as the season turns colder and daylight shortens.
Johnson said he noticed shifting bricks and a broken wooden frame around the hatch months ago. He installed a camera in June, then on Nov. 28 nearly collided with the bear while servicing the device. “It roared from underneath the house,” he said. Recent clips show the animal nosing through trash and walking calmly down the driveway before ducking back into the crawl space. The bear appears hefty — roughly 500 pounds by Johnson’s estimate — and wears a yellow ear tag that signals prior contact with biologists. Neighbors have kept pets indoors at night and traded sightings in group chats, while the homeowner added sandbags and boards to protect the entry without sealing anyone inside.
Biologists consider several tools when a bear beds in a structure. Hazing — using noise makers, projectiles or trained dogs — can push an animal to move voluntarily. If that fails or the site presents safety risks, officers can tranquilize the bear, confirm no cubs are present, and relocate it to a more suitable area. Any plan at Johnson’s home must work around electrical and gas lines that cross the crawl space and ensure responders have a clear path in case the animal rouses suddenly. The agency also coordinates with local law enforcement for traffic control and with animal care staff who monitor the bear’s breathing and temperature during sedation.
Altadena and neighboring foothill towns have logged more bear calls in the past year, a trend residents and officials link to scarred habitat in parts of the Angeles National Forest and to a patchy acorn crop. Earlier incidents involved bears squeezing into garages, settling beneath decks and, in one January case, a different crawl space where crews needed the area cleared to restore a homeowner’s power. While most sightings end with the animal moving on, tagged bears that repeatedly den on private property often trigger a deeper review and site-specific fixes such as reinforced vents or grates once the space is clear.
As of Tuesday, Johnson’s case was in the assessment queue while field teams handled other urgent calls. A site visit — the first step toward any intervention — could lead to temporary exclusion, structured hazing by a team on the ground, or a planned tranquilize-and-move operation. The timing would depend on crew availability, weather and the bear’s whereabouts on the day of response. Johnson said he is prepared to keep his cameras running and the hatch accessible until officials arrive. “I want it handled safely,” he said. “For the bear and for us.”
By late evening, the bear had last been seen after midnight slipping back under Johnson’s living room. Wildlife officials said they would provide an update once a team confirms the site plan later this week.
Author note: Last updated December 2, 2025.