In Altadena, California, a surprising discovery of a 525-pound black bear residing in the crawlspace of a home has captured the community's attention. The bear, affectionately named Beary by locals, found refuge beneath the house of homeowner Samy Arbid. This unexpected guest prompted a series of efforts from both the homeowner and wildlife authorities to safely relocate the bear.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, along with animal control, was initially called to assist in removing Beary. However, they concluded that they could not intervene effectively at that time. It was later revealed that a neighbor had been feeding the bear for years, potentially contributing to its presence in the area.
Faced with this unique challenge, Arbid devised a plan to coax the bear out of the crawlspace using food. He purchased a rotisserie chicken, sardines, and peanut-butter-smeared apples, hoping to lure Beary into a cage set up nearby. Despite its massive size, the bear had managed to enter and exit the crawlspace quietly, demonstrating remarkable stealth.
Environmental scientist Kevin Howells evaluated the situation and determined that Beary was too large to be tranquilized and removed safely. As a result, Arbid and his family were forced to sleep in a den area of their home while they awaited a resolution.
Prior to this incident, Arbid had encountered the bear but had been unable to resolve its presence. The bear had been living under the house for some time before being discovered by Arbid. Once the home was declared an emergency recovery zone, the California wildlife department stepped in with the necessary resources to capture and relocate Beary.
"Within minutes of placing the trap, the bear came out of the crawlspace, walked in and triggered the trap door." – California wildlife department (via Instagram account)
The successful capture marked a turning point in this unusual saga. After ensuring Beary's well-being with a welfare check and fitting it with a GPS collar for tracking, officials released the bear into Angeles National Forest.