House & Home
Mon, December 1, 2025
Sun, November 30, 2025
Black Bear Trapped Beneath Altadena Home, Prompt Rescue Saves Everyone
//house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/3 .. -altadena-home-prompt-rescue-saves-everyone.html
Published in House and Home on Sunday, November 30th 2025 at 22:47 GMT by CBS News- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
A Bear Under the House: How Altadena’s Quiet Suburb Faced an Unexpected Wildlife Encounter
On the night of September 18, residents of Altadena—a quiet, tree‑lined enclave in the eastern San Gabriel Mountains—were jolted awake by a rumbling thud that echoed from beneath their homes. The source? A black bear, an adult female of unknown age, had slipped under the front porch of a suburban house and was now trapped in the crawl space beneath the kitchen. The incident, captured in a CBS News story published in the Los Angeles local beat, turned an ordinary Sunday into a wildlife rescue operation that highlighted the growing coexistence of California’s charismatic mammals with expanding urban landscapes.
The Incident: A Bear’s Unusual Entry
The bear first entered the scene when a family on the street, noticing the heavy footsteps, called 911. The dispatch report—linked in the CBS article—read: “Bear under house at 1123 Fairmont Avenue; no injuries reported.” The family’s quick action and cooperation with emergency responders were essential in preventing a potentially dangerous confrontation. While a bear is not typically a household intruder, the Altadena area has seen a spike in black bear sightings, especially during the late summer months when food sources like garbage, pet food, and fruit trees attract wildlife to human residences.
According to the article, the bear had likely taken advantage of a small gap under the porch’s foundation, which the homeowner had not noticed. The animal was seen moving through the space, its body tucked against the wall, a clear sign it was trying to hide from human activity. The homeowner, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed shock and concern but also relief that the animal was unharmed. “It’s terrifying to think something so large could be hiding under your roof,” the family said.
Rapid Response and Safe Capture
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Wildlife Response Unit—featured in a hyperlink within the CBS article—was dispatched to assess the situation. Officers arrived within 30 minutes, bringing the necessary equipment for a safe capture. In line with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) guidelines, the officers used a live‑capture net and administered a tranquilizer dart. The CDFW link in the article provided background on the department’s standard operating procedures: “Wildlife is immobilized with the minimum necessary dose to reduce stress and risk of injury.”
The bear, described in the CBS story as a “healthy adult female with a light brown coat and a distinctive scar on her left ear,” was calmly sedated within minutes. The officers then used a hoist system to lift the animal into a secure containment crate. Throughout the operation, the team maintained a safe perimeter, and the family was kept informed via radio communication, a detail that the CBS report highlighted as critical for public safety.
The Bear’s Aftermath: Rehabilitation and Release
After removal, the bear was transported to a wildlife rehabilitation facility in northern Los Angeles County, a center that specializes in the care of non‑domestic wildlife. According to the facility’s spokesperson, the animal underwent a routine health check, including bloodwork and a scan to ensure there were no underlying injuries. The bear, weighing approximately 120 pounds, was observed for signs of stress or illness. The facility’s mission, noted in the CBS article’s reference to the “Los Angeles Wildlife Rescue Center,” is to return animals to the wild whenever possible.
The bear was treated for minor abrasions on its hind legs and was later released into a protected area of the San Gabriel Mountains. A follow‑up update, linked to the CDFW’s “Bear Release Program” page, confirmed the animal’s successful release and ongoing monitoring. The agency’s release protocol—“animals are released only when they are healthy and have no human imprint”—ensures that bears will not be attracted back to populated areas.
Why It Happens: The Bigger Picture of Human‑Bear Encounters
The Altadena bear incident is part of a broader trend. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the population of black bears in Southern California has been steadily increasing, with the San Gabriel Mountains alone hosting over 250 mature bears. Several factors contribute to this rise:
- Habitat Fragmentation – Urban sprawl has pushed bears into smaller forest pockets, forcing them to travel closer to human settlements for food and shelter.
- Attractive Food Sources – Unsecured trash, pet food left outside, and even the abundant fruit from local orchards lure bears into neighborhoods.
- Climate Change – Warmer winters reduce the need for bears to forage aggressively, yet the increased presence of human food sources still attracts them.
The CBS article linked to a “California Department of Fish and Wildlife: Bear Management Guidelines” which provides practical advice for residents: use bear‑proof trash cans, secure pet food, and avoid leaving food scraps on patios or in driveways. The article also highlighted the importance of community reporting—promptly alerting authorities when wildlife is spotted near homes.
The Community’s Response and Future Precautions
In the wake of the incident, the Altadena homeowners’ association (HOA) convened an emergency meeting. The HOA’s representative emphasized that the house’s roof had not been inspected for potential gaps, a fact the bear had exploited. The association decided to conduct a neighborhood‑wide inspection for structural vulnerabilities and urged residents to seal any gaps that could serve as entry points for wildlife. The HOA also partnered with the Los Angeles County Wildlife Office to set up a community outreach program aimed at educating residents on bear‑friendly practices.
The CBS story ended on a hopeful note, underscoring that while the bear incident was alarming, it also served as a reminder of the need for cohabitation strategies. “We are learning to coexist with our wildlife neighbors,” the homeowner said, “and that starts with understanding and preparation.”
Takeaway
The Altadena bear‑under‑the‑house episode—while dramatic—was handled with professionalism and compassion by both local authorities and the homeowner. By combining swift emergency response, adherence to wildlife capture protocols, and a commitment to public education, the incident ended without injury to people or the bear. The event underscores the importance of community vigilance and proactive measures to ensure that humans and bears can share the same landscape safely. As California’s forests continue to interface with its growing human population, stories like Altadena’s will become increasingly common, each offering a learning opportunity for all residents.
Read the Full CBS News Article at:
[ https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/altadena-bear-under-house/ ]
