A Sierra Madre couple recently found themselves with an unusual house guest. A black bear has decided to move into the crawlspace under their home, and while the bear seems polite enough, the couple is working with wildlife officials to figure out how to relocate their new tenant.
Although this event seems as harmless as the Goldilocks tale, we never know when a thing can take a turn for the worse. It becomes a reminder to all California residents to keep their eyes open for these fluffy yet dangerous beings as their population continues to grow bigger and bigger.
Black Bear Moves In, Couple Keeps Calm
Bob and Susan Nesler, who live at the edge of the Angeles National Forest, discovered that a black bear had been living under their house for a few weeks. Despite the bear’s presence, the Neslers have few complaints.
They’ve given him a name – they call him “Junior” and report that he mostly keeps to himself.
Bear’s Nightly Routine Raises Few Issues
“Junior” leaves the crawlspace in the evening and returns early in the morning. Essentially, he’s using their house as a hotel.
The couple has even caught photos and videos of him with a motion-activated camera. Bob Nesler mentioned his only complaint is the piles of scat the bear leaves behind. Otherwise, the bear hasn’t caused trouble.
Why Are Bears Showing Up More Often?
Bear sightings in communities like Sierra Madre are on the rise. As winter approaches, bears are searching for food and shelter, getting ready to hibernate. Tim Daly of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife explains that bears are simply following their instincts to find food and warmth.
Wildlife Officials Offer a Humane Solution
California Fish and Wildlife agents have visited the Neslers’ neighborhood, helping them plan a safe way to close off the bear’s entrance. The goal is to wait for the bear to leave naturally and then seal the space with a bear-resistant screen to prevent future bear invasions.
Junior hasn’t shown any aggressive tendencies, in fact, the couple has grown quite attached to him in a way. Still, the best choice is unfortunately to evict him from their Sierra Madre house.
At the end of the day he is a wild animal, and it’s probably just a question of when a dangerous or confrontational situation arises.
California’s Black Bear Population Is Growing
The state’s black bear population has been increasing for years. Estimates suggest there are now between 25,000 and 30,000 black bears in California. Roughly half of these bears live in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, while about 10% reside in the foothills and southwestern areas like Sierra Madre.
Sierra Madre isn’t alone in dealing with bear encounters, though. Communities near the Angeles National Forest, like Altadena and Monrovia, have seen a significant rise in bear activity.
In Los Angeles County, bear sightings have spiked from 28 in 2017 to 455 in 2023, as bears search for food and shelter.
Safety Tips for Residents in Bear Areas
Wildlife officials advise residents to secure their homes and avoid leaving food or trash outside, as this can attract bears. Bears have an excellent sense of smell, about seven times stronger than a bloodhound’s. Keeping doors, windows, and crawlspaces closed can help prevent unexpected bear visits.
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