A frustrated California homeowner is preparing to take legal action against the state after wildlife officials repeatedly failed to remove a massive 550-pound bear that has taken up residence beneath his property.
A Costly and Unwelcome Houseguest
Kenneth Johnson, 63, made the shocking discovery just before Thanksgiving. The enormous male black bear, known to researchers as Yellow 2120, had moved into the crawl space of his $1.5 million home in Altadena. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) was called in to deal with the wildlife conflict.
Their initial efforts on December 9 involved using bait and noisemakers in an attempt to trap the animal. However, the operation backfired when they captured a smaller, different bear instead. Johnson, who had installed multiple cameras, knew his unwanted tenant remained. "I knew my bear hadn’t gone out because I’ve got enough cameras on it," he told the Los Angeles Times.
Homeowner's Desperate Measures
Left to fend for himself, Johnson embarked on a series of creative and desperate attempts to evict the bear. He rigged a burglar alarm with foam to create a clattering sound and burned CDs with hours of recorded dog barking, pointing speakers into the vents. Reflecting on his failed attempts, he used a sports analogy: "If I kept track of everything I tried, it would be Bear 14, Homeowner 0."
The situation escalated when Johnson was forced to shut off his gas on Christmas Eve after the bear damaged a pipe. He has been without hot water since. "I'm just exhausted from the whole thing," he said. "I get my mind off it for a little bit, and then suddenly I get flooded back with, oh that's right, I can't take a hot shower."
Legal Threat and Official Response
Johnson is now threatening to sue the Department of Fish and Wildlife, accusing them of negligence and causing him emotional distress. He claims officials told him to "stand down" on his removal efforts and even refused him permission to continue trying to lure the bear out himself.
He expressed his frustration, stating, "This has gone on long enough, and it's something that they should deal with. It's a tagged bear. They've dealt with it before." Records show Yellow 2120 was trapped near Altadena last year and relocated roughly ten miles away before finding his way back.
However, a CDFW spokesperson told the Daily Mail they remain committed to helping Johnson. They stated that despite limited staff, biologists have been in constant communication and have employed traps, cameras, lights, and hazing techniques. The spokesperson emphasised the critical need for Johnson to secure his crawl space to prevent the bear's return, a step they have advised on multiple occasions.
The standoff continues, with Johnson fearful for his safety and listening to the bear "bulldozing" through plastic sheeting beneath his home. With legal action looming, this extraordinary dispute between a homeowner and the state over a half-tonne squatter remains unresolved.
