Bear Eludes Capture Under Altadena Home; Trap Snags Wrong One
A bear that has taken refuge under a home in Altadena continues to elude capture, causing frustration for the homeowner and wildlife biologists. The bear, known as Yellow 2120, first entered the crawl space of Ken Johnson’s residence about 31 days ago, on December 9.
Bear Capture Attempts in Altadena
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife set a trap at Johnson’s home in hopes of capturing the 550-pound male black bear. Despite several attempts to lure Yellow 2120 out with flavored bait and noisemakers, the efforts have so far failed.
False Alarm with the Wrong Bear
On December 16, Johnson heard the sound of the trap being triggered, but it turned out to be a different bear. “I knew my bear hadn’t gone out because I’ve got enough cameras on it,” Johnson stated. The bear that was caught was tagged and subsequently released in a nearby habitat.
Ongoing Bear Presence
Yellow 2120’s saga is not uncommon in Altadena, which is located at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. Residents frequently encounter bears, particularly during trash collection days. Johnson has even experienced encounters with other bears; recently, a different bear attempted to enter his home but was chased off by Yellow 2120.
Creative Measures to Flush Out the Bear
In an attempt to encourage Yellow 2120 to leave, Johnson has employed various tactics. He rigged a burglar alarm to create noise and has played dog barking sounds through speakers directed into the vents. However, none of these methods have proven effective.
Impact on Home Life
The presence of the bear has left Johnson feeling uneasy in his own home. “I just don’t feel completely at home as long as he’s under there,” he expressed. The bear’s activity under the house, including turning on a gas line, has added to Johnson’s worries as he now lacks hot water.
Wildlife Management Response
After discovering they had captured the wrong bear, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife decided to remove the trap, believing that Yellow 2120 would not respond to the same bait again. Department officials recognized the bear from tags indicating it had been relocated about 10 miles away from Johnson’s home earlier in the year.
Conclusion
The saga of Yellow 2120 exemplifies the challenges of human-wildlife interactions in residential areas. As biologists and homeowners navigate solutions, the bear’s presence continues to shape life in Altadena.
