A months-long wildlife ordeal in Altadena came to an unusual but successful conclusion this week after state wildlife officers managed to remove a 550-pound black bear that had taken up residence beneath a suburban home – a standoff that lasted roughly 35 days and required an unexpectedly pungent tactic to resolve.
The bear, believed to be a male aged between five and seven years old, first settled into the narrow crawl space in early December. The homeowner initially suspected a minor pest issue before discovering the large animal had torn away parts of the lattice surrounding the foundation to build itself a den.
Officials from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) launched multiple attempts to encourage the animal to vacate, using non-lethal tools such as bright floodlights and noise-making devices. For several weeks, the bear refused to budge, turning what began as a curious neighborhood mystery into a protracted wildlife management case.
The turning point came when CDFW officers partnered with the Pasadena Humane Society to deploy what they later joked was a “weaponized stink strategy.” Crews assembled a foul mound of rancid bacon, spoiled fish, and greasy waste near the only accessible opening to the crawl space. The odor was deemed so overpowering that even the stubborn bear decided to seek more comfortable accommodations.
The animal finally exited early Thursday morning, wandering into the backyard before climbing a nearby tree. Wildlife officers waited for a safe moment to fire a tranquilizer dart, after which the sedated bear toppled roughly 15 to 20 feet onto a padded tarp held by firefighters and personnel on standby.
The bear was examined by veterinarians, tagged for identification, and transported to a remote location within the Angeles National Forest. Officials confirmed that despite the ordeal, the animal appeared healthy and had behaved non-aggressively throughout its stay, though it did inflict property damage on the home’s exterior.
While black bears are not uncommon in foothill neighborhoods bordering wilderness areas, wildlife specialists described the extended denning period under a home as highly atypical behavior. Residents across the region were urged to secure crawl spaces, trash containers, and attractants that may inadvertently invite wildlife seeking shelter or food.
For the homeowner, the conclusion of the standoff brought welcome relief after more than a month of disrupted routines and uneasy nights. “It was surreal,” she told local reporters as crews cleared equipment from the property. “You don’t ever imagine you’re sharing your house with a 500-pound bear.”
Wildlife officials praised the cooperation between agencies and said the unusual tactic might be reserved for rare cases when other humane methods fail. The episode, they noted, also served as a reminder that Southern California’s wild inhabitants are never far from view – and sometimes, just under the floorboards.
Record Snowfall Triggers Evacuations and Structural Failures Across Southeast Alaska – a dramatic situation that demands attention. Read the full blog for deeper insight and unfolding updates.
