The giant bear made its home under a California house during the devastating fires that ripped through the Golden State leaving many properties reduced to little more than ash
A Los Angeles fire survivor made a terrifying discovery after he returned to his home after the devastating blazes.
Samy Arbid, 41, returned to his home in Altadena, north of Los Angeles, following the devastating fires that ripped through California, leaving homes burned to ash – including those of celebrities. But when Samy came back he found a huge 37st bear moved into a crawl space under his home.
The unwanted guest was spotted after Ring doorbell camera footage captured the bear crawling under the home following the Eaton wild fire. In a shocking turn, Samy ended up coming up face-to-face with one of the largest bears that wildlife officials ever encountered.
“We ended up putting a ring camera with a light on it under the crawlspace and found out we have a giant bear under there,” he told CBS News. “It was nerve-wracking for a while. I think during the fire he pretty much stayed in there. I think he was scared.”
Southern California Gas crews refused to restore gas to the home due to the giant bear still being inside. Samy said the solution was to serve up a delicious feast in hopes of getting it out of the crawlspace.
“So, they went to Starter Brothers [a supermarket] and bought some rotisserie chicken and sardines and tomato sauce, apples, peanut butter – all kinds of stuff,” Samy told the network. “They made a feast for him.”
Fortunatley, the bear left the house and has the property has since been bear-proofed. Officials warn people in the region to close crawl spaces with bear-proof material ahead of winter months to prevent bears from entering their properties.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) said in a Facebook comment: “Last week CDFW Environmental Scientist Kevin Howells spent nearly 24 hours leading a team of eight CDFW employees to remove a massive, 525-pound adult male bear from a crawl space beneath a home in Altadena.
“The homeowner, along with neighbors in Altadena, had been evacuated due to the Eaton Fire. Once they returned, the utility company informed the resident that power couldn’t be restored, as there was a bear under the home where the company needed to work.
When a bear is in a crawlspace, CDFW recommends that homeowners contact the Department so that a wildlife professional can evaluate the situation and help determine ways that the homeowner can discourage the bear from using the crawlspace and seal the entrance immediately once the animal is out.
“However, to help expedite power restoration for the homeowners, Howells worked to quickly capture and relocate the bear to the nearest suitable habitat. After assessing the crawlspace and size of bear, it became clear that chemical immobilization of the bear was not an option.
“Howells and other experts determined a bear trap placed near the crawlspace opening would be the best decision given the situation. Within minutes of placing the trap, the bear came out of the crawlspace, walked in and triggered the trap door.
“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.”
