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Officials Try Scent Lures and Remote Cameras to Draw 550-Pound Bear From Altadena Crawl Space

State biologists say the previously relocated male, tagged as 2120, treats the neighborhood as home.

Overview

  • California Department of Fish and Wildlife crews are monitoring a tagged male bear estimated at 550 pounds denning under Ken Johnson's Altadena house for more than a week.
  • Biologists placed remote cameras and a highly concentrated caramel-and-cherry–scented lure to prompt the animal to exit on its own.
  • Officials report the bear has been growling and appears spooked by activity, so they asked media and bystanders to keep distance and avoid helicopter flights.
  • CDFW says it previously tagged and moved the same bear about 10 miles into the Angeles National Forest, but the animal returned to the residential area.
  • If the bear leaves, crews plan to secure the opening, and officials recommend deterrents such as ammonia-soaked rags to reduce the chance of reentry.