California man frustrated over efforts to remove bear living under his house

Key Concepts

• Wildlife-Human Conflict: The core issue revolves around a large black bear taking residence under a homeowner’s house and the challenges of safely resolving the situation.
• Crawl Space: The accessible area under the house where the bear has established itself.
• Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW): The California state agency responsible for managing wildlife and addressing conflicts.
• Squatter Rights (Analogous): The homeowner’s frustration stems from the bear’s prolonged presence and the lack of clear legal recourse.
• Bear Trapping (Ineffective): Initial attempts to trap the bear were unsuccessful, capturing a different animal.

Aladena Bear Incident: A Detailed Account

This report details the ongoing situation of Ken Johnson, a resident of Aladena, California, who has been living with a 550 lb black bear under his house since November. The incident highlights the complexities of wildlife-human conflict and the challenges faced by homeowners when dealing with large animals encroaching on their property.

The Situation & Initial Response

The bear gained access to the crawl space – a raised foundation area common in homes in the region – and has remained there for over a month. Johnson has installed cameras to monitor the bear’s movements, noting that it occasionally emerges, causing damage such as tearing up plastic and, critically, breaking a gas pipe, resulting in the loss of heat and hot water for the homeowner.

Johnson initially contacted the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) who deployed a bear trap. However, the trap captured a different bear, leaving the original resident still under the house. Johnson expressed feeling like he was in a “Home Alone”-esque situation, referencing the comedic film about a boy defending his home from burglars. He also noted a comparison to the cartoon rivalry between Coyote and Road Runner, highlighting the frustrating and ongoing nature of the situation.

DFW Involvement & Homeowner Frustration

The DFW maintains they are “actively working” with Johnson to resolve the issue, advising him to seal off the crawl space whenever the bear emerges. However, Johnson missed a recent emergence on Christmas morning at 4:00 a.m., and the bear retreated back under the house after causing damage to the gas line.

Johnson’s primary frustration lies with the DFW’s perceived lack of decisive action and his uncertainty regarding his legal rights. He is concerned about potential legal repercussions if he attempts to independently scare the bear away. As Carter Evans, CBS News correspondent, noted, “He doesn’t know what his rights are. He doesn’t know what he can legally do himself to get this bear out from underneath the home.” Johnson feels the DFW has only provided instructions on what he can’t do, without offering clear guidance on effective solutions. He views the bear as a “squatter” and questions who he could legally pursue for resolution.

Legal Considerations & Ongoing Monitoring

The report clarifies that legal action against the bear itself is not possible. The potential for legal recourse lies with the DFW, whom Johnson believes is responsible for resolving the situation. Currently, the only course of action is continued monitoring via cameras and attempting to seal off the crawl space when the bear emerges.

Location & Context

The incident is occurring in Aladena, California, a community that recently experienced wildfires. Carter Evans emphasized that Johnson’s home was not damaged by the fires, providing context to the ongoing recovery efforts in the area. He described the neighborhood as a typical residential area, highlighting the unusual nature of having a large bear residing under a home.

Notable Quote:

“He doesn’t know what his rights are. He doesn’t know what he can legally do himself to get this bear out from underneath the home.” – Carter Evans, reporting on Ken Johnson’s frustration with the DFW.

Technical Terms:

• Crawl Space: A shallow space beneath the floor of a building, typically providing access for utilities and ventilation.
• Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW): A state government agency responsible for managing and protecting fish and wildlife resources.

Logical Connections:

The report follows a clear narrative: introduction of the problem (bear under the house), explanation of initial attempts to resolve it (failed trapping), detailing the homeowner’s frustration with the DFW, and outlining the current situation and limited options. The lighthearted banter between the anchors and the correspondent serves to underscore the absurdity of the situation while maintaining a serious tone regarding the homeowner’s predicament.

Data & Statistics:

• Bear Weight: 550 lbs
• Duration of Residence: Over one month (since November)
• Time of Last Emergence: 4:00 a.m. on Christmas morning.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The Aladena bear incident exemplifies the growing challenges of wildlife-human coexistence. The case highlights the need for clear guidelines and proactive solutions from wildlife management agencies when dealing with large animals encroaching on residential areas. The homeowner’s frustration underscores the importance of providing clear legal guidance and support to individuals facing similar situations, preventing a prolonged and potentially dangerous standoff. The situation remains unresolved, with the homeowner left to monitor and wait for the bear to leave or for the DFW to implement a more effective removal strategy.