A Relentless House Guest: The Story of a 550-Pound Bear’s Eviction from an Altadena Home
Ken Johnson’s life was turned upside down when a 550-pound male black bear, dubbed Yellow 2120, took up residence under his Altadena home just after Thanksgiving. The bear’s presence caused significant damage, including turning on a gas line, which forced Johnson to live without hot water. Despite efforts by officials to evict the bear using air horns, flavored bait, and a trap, Yellow 2120 refused to leave.
The situation was not only frustrating for Johnson but also a source of concern for the community, which had already been affected by the Eaton fire. The bear’s presence was not only a nuisance but also a potential threat to the safety of Johnson and his neighbors. As the days turned into weeks, the community rallied around Johnson, with over 100 people donating $4,200 to a GoFundMe campaign to help him cover the costs of repairs, estimated to be in the tens of thousands of dollars.
The BEAR League’s Expertise
The BEAR League, a nonprofit organization based in Lake Tahoe, specializes in bear evictions. With their expertise, they were able to successfully evict Yellow 2120 from Johnson’s home using paintball guns. The organization’s executive director, Ann Bryant, explained that their approach involves getting into the crawl space with the bear, scaring it by yelling, clapping, and sometimes firing a paintball gun. This method has proven effective, with the BEAR League conducting around 150 evictions per year.
According to Bryant, bears often seek out human habitats, such as crawl spaces, in search of a cozy place to rest. However, their presence can cause significant damage to homes, including destruction of insulation, wiring, heating ducts, and water and gas lines. In California, which is home to an estimated 60,000 black bears, bear sightings are not uncommon, particularly in communities like Altadena, which is nestled at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.
A Successful Eviction
After the BEAR League’s successful eviction, Yellow 2120 returned to Johnson’s property, but this time, it found the environment to be much less hospitable. An electrified mat had been placed at the entrance to the crawl space, which gave the bear a shock when it returned. This seemed to be the final deterrent, as Yellow 2120 finally decided to leave. The community breathed a sigh of relief, and Johnson was finally able to feel safe in his own home.
The story of Yellow 2120’s eviction serves as a reminder of the importance of coexisting with wildlife and the need for effective solutions to prevent conflicts between humans and bears. As the community continues to rebuild and recover from the Eaton fire, the successful eviction of Yellow 2120 is a welcome respite from the challenges they have faced. For more information on this story, visit Here
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