550-pound black bear makes himself at home under california residence, defies removal efforts for two weeks

A massive black bear weighing 550 pounds has turned a homeowner’s worst nightmare into reality by taking up residence in the crawl space beneath a house in Altadena, California. The unwelcome guest has been camping out under Ken Johnson’s home for more than two weeks, completely ignoring wildlife officials’ attempts to evict him.

Johnson first discovered his uninvited tenant on November 25th when he spotted the bear emerging from beneath his property. He immediately contacted the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for help, but the bear has proven to be remarkably stubborn. Wildlife officials have tried everything from sweet-scented lures featuring caramel and cherry aromas to pungent ammonia-soaked towels, but nothing has convinced the determined bear to relocate.

This incident represents just the latest chapter in an ongoing series of bear encounters plaguing the Los Angeles-area community of Altadena. As urban development continues to encroach on natural habitats and climate change alters traditional food sources, black bears are increasingly venturing into residential neighborhoods in search of shelter and sustenance.

The situation highlights the growing challenge of human-wildlife coexistence in California, where expanding suburban communities frequently overlap with traditional wildlife corridors. While Johnson waits for a resolution to his unusual housing dispute, the bear appears perfectly content with his current accommodations, earning him the homeowner’s frustrated nickname: “unbearable.”