An Altadena resident got more than they bargained for when evacuations for the Eaton Fire were lifted, discovering a 525-pound bear had taken refuge underneath their home. According to CBS News, the homeowner, Samy Arbid, became aware of the uninvited guest when utility workers couldn't restore the gas due to the bear's presence. The massive bear, known to some locals as Berry or Victor, had apparently been residing in close proximity to the Eaton Canyon community.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) were brought in to manage the situation. They set up a sardine and rotisserie chicken-stocked trap, which swiftly attracted the hefty bear out from its hidings,"We got some apples, peanut butter and some rotisserie chicken,” CDFW environmental scientist Kevin Howells told KTLA.
CDFW officials worked diligently for nearly 24 hours to apprehend the bear, as reported by NBC Los Angeles. Once captured, the bear was deemed to be in healthy condition and rehomed to the Angeles National Forest decked with a new GPS collar, ensuring it can be monitored and won't be returning to any more crawlspaces soon.
Neighborhood sentiment towards the bear seemed warm, with neighbor Patty Smith saying, "He's pretty harmless." Patty Smith added "He just wants some good trash, like we all like some good trash," in a statement obtained by CBS News. Concerns over the wildlife affected by the recent fires were echoed by residents, unsure of how many animals might have been injured or displaced during the blaze.
