500-Pound Bear Moves Into SoCal Man's Crawlspace: Reports

ALTADENA, CA — An Altadena man is hoping to evict an unusual and unwelcome squatter: a 500-pound bear that has taken up residence in the crawlspace under his home, according to reports.

Ken Johnson installed a camera on his property several months ago after noticing some things out of place, NBC Los Angeles reported, adding that he occasionally saw a black bear. Last week, the bear moved in, according to the outlet.

Johnson spotted the bear and noticed the screen blocking his crawlspace had been tampered with and, last Monday, he recorded the bear coming up the driveway before capturing it exiting the crawlspace Tuesday morning, NBC reported, adding the bear continued to come and go over the past several days.

The situation escalated on Friday, when Johnson went to change the camera’s batteries and the bear responded with a growl and a hiss, according to KTLA, which reported that Johnson has attempted to contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, but that he has only received a holiday closure recording so far.