Bear Under Altadena Home Goes Viral as Neighborhood Mystery Ends
Bear Under Altadena Home Becomes Viral Neighborhood Mystery
A 550-pound California black bear living beneath an Altadena home for months turned a quiet cul-de-sac into a headline-making curiosity. Neighbors dubbed the visitor a surprise “basement roommate” as cameras captured nightly activity around the crawl space. The homeowner, hearing scratching and thuds below the kitchen floor, worried about structural damage and potential encounters, yet also recognized the animal was simply seeking a safe winter den.
How Wildlife Experts Finally Removed the Unwanted Guest
After repeated attempts by state wildlife officials, a specialized nonprofit stepped in, using humane tactics to encourage the bear to move on without tranquilizers. Strategic noise, lights, and temporary barriers nudged the animal from the cozy crawl space back toward nearby foothills. The episode highlights growing human-wildlife overlap in Southern California and underscores essential prevention tips: secure crawlspaces, eliminate food attractants, and contact professionals immediately if a large animal decides your house looks like home.
