See it: 525-pound bear found hiding under Altadena home after Eaton Fire in Southern California
While the California Department of Fish and Wildlife typically advises homeowners to wait for bears to leave on their own and then seal the crawlspace, the need to restore the homeowner's power prompted a more immediate intervention.
Altadena man returns home after Eaton Fire to find giant bear has moved in
Altadena man Samy Arbid was among the lucky ones after the Eaton Fire, when he returned to find his home had been spared. He did, however, have an unusual new housemate, in the shape of a massive bear that had sought refuge in his crawlspace.
ALTADENA, Calif. – The Eaton Fire in Southern California forced evacuations, but a 525-pound bear didn’t get the memo, instead taking refuge beneath an empty home.
Last week, environmental scientist Kevin Howells with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) spent nearly 24 hours leading a team of eight to remove the massive male from an Altadena home's crawlspace.
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The Eaton Fire in Southern California forced evacuations, and when residents returned, one family discovered a 525-pound bear had taken refuge beneath their home.
(California Department of Fish and Wildlife)
When homeowner Samy Arbid eventually returned home from the fire, he was told his power could not be restored due to the bear’s presence where power crews needed to work. His next move was to contact state wildlife officers for assistance.
"I think during the fire he pretty much stayed there. I think he was scared," Arbid told local media, who said the bear normally lived in Eaton Canyon, where the wildfire started.
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Environmental scientist Kevin Howells with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife spent nearly 24 hours leading a team of eight to remove the massive bear from the home's crawlspace.
(California Department of Fish and Wildlife)
After assessing the crawlspace and the size of the bear, it became clear to Howells that tranquilizing was not an option. Howells and other experts determined that a bear trap placed near the crawlspace opening would be the best decision given the situation.
Security footage provided by Arbid (shown at the top of this story) shows the moment the bear’s massive head poked out of the crawlspace, lured by the wildlife team’s feast.
"Within minutes of placing the trap, the bear came out of the crawlspace, walked in and triggered the trap door," the CDFW said.
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Howells and other experts determined that a bear trap placed near the crawlspace opening would be the best decision given the situation.
(California Department of Fish and Wildlife)
The bear was transported in the trap into Angeles National Forest. Before being released, the CDFW said the bear was given a welfare check, measured and fitted with a GPS collar for tracking.
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The bear was transported in the trap into Angeles National Forest.
(California Department of Fish and Wildlife)
As for the home, Arbid's utilities were quickly restored. The crawlspace has since been secured with bear-proof materials.
With the bear safely relocated, the homeowner’s utilities were quickly restored.
(California Department of Fish and Wildlife)
"In the foothills of bear country, it’s important to close crawlspaces with bear-proof material in advance of winter months to discourage bears from denning and damaging property," wildlife officials warned.