A hungry black bear treated a Claremont kitchen like its own late-night buffet on Thursday, March 12, slipping into the home, raiding the fridge and cabinets, and leaving behind a trail of pistachio shells and toppled jars. Homeowner Anju Kapoor was just one room away and did not hear the intruder as it helped itself to fruit, nuts, and meat. She only realized what had happened after checking security cameras and calling animal control.
Security video shows the bear moving calmly through the kitchen, slicing through a window screen to get inside and then snacking its way around the room, according to People. The animal eventually wandered back outside, leaving a messy kitchen but no injuries.
"It is hungry, it is nature trying to find food," Kapoor told KTLA about the bear that ransacked her kitchen, adding, "I wasn't scared, I'm still not scared," per People. She said an adult bear and a cub had tried to get into her home's crawl space in 2025 and suspects the younger animal may have returned on its own this time.
State wildlife officials say bear sightings are coming in earlier than usual this year and are urging residents, especially those whose homes back up to wildland or open space, to lock down anything that might smell good to a roaming bruin. They advise treating any food or scented item as a potential bear attractant and contacting local animal control when a bear shows up on private property.
How To Keep Bears Out
"Never leave groceries, animal feed, garbage, or anything scented in vehicles, campsites, or tents," the agency warns, recommending that people take down bird feeders, use bear-resistant containers, and seal crawl spaces where wildlife might try to enter, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Kapoor said she soaked rags in ammonia and placed them near likely entry points as a short-term deterrent while she works on more permanent repairs. For non-emergencies, residents are asked to report human-bear conflicts through the agency's online reporting tool or by contacting their local animal control office.
Wildlife managers say the Claremont break-in is part of a broader pattern of black bears pushing into new neighborhoods as they follow food sources and disperse into surrounding communities. They stress that cutting off easy food rewards is key to preventing repeat visits. As SFGATE recently reported, updated state monitoring and stepped-up community outreach are central to keeping both people and bears safe.
