Researchers Capture Massive 525-Lb. Bear Hiding Beneath Family’s Home After L.A. Wildfires

After three weeks of tireless effort, the deadly L.A. wildfires have reached 100 percent containment. Now, the work continues as countless families return to their homes, many of which will need to be rebuilt. But for one homeowner in Altadena, their return home presented them with an issue they never would have expected. At some point while they were evacuated, a massive bear made his way under the house.

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It seems the bear may have needed shelter during the fires. So, this clever guy managed to make his way into a home’s crawl space. While this may have served as a good spot to hide away during the fires, with the family home, it was time for him to go. But getting this 525-pound bear to leave was quite a feat. Luckily, the California Department of Fish and Wildfire was able to help.

Obviously, there are many reasons to be quick about getting a bear out of your home. But there was an added pressure in this case. In order to restore power to the home, the bear needed to be removed ASAP. Ideally, they would have been able to use a tranquilizer immediately to help them safely remove the bear. But that simply wasn’t an option in this case.

The reason why goes back to the impressive size of the creature. Given the size of the crawl space compared to the bear, a different method was needed. So, instead, a non-harmful trap was placed to capture him. To lure the bear, apples, peanut butter, and some rotisserie chicken were placed inside.

Finally, after a harrowing 24 hours, the bear was free! But before he was returned to the wild, these animal experts ensured he was okay. Like the humans in L.A., the nearby animals have also been through a lot with these wildfires.

“The bear was transported in the trap into Angeles National Forest and given a welfare check, GPS-collared, and measured before being safely released just after midnight,” the California department shares on social media.

Once the bear was out, the home was boarded up to be bearproof, something the department says is important “in the foothills of bear country.”

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