Additional Coverage:
- 550-pound bear finally evicted from California home after bizarre strategy ends monthlong ordeal (foxnews.com)
Paintball Power: Rogue Bear Evicted from Altadena Home After Month-Long Standoff
Altadena, CA – After a month-long residency in an Altadena man’s crawl space, a 550-pound black bear has finally been evicted, thanks to a rather unconventional – and surprisingly effective – strategy involving vegetable oil-filled paintballs.
The sizable squatter, who had been making himself at home beneath Ken Johnson’s house since late November, was finally persuaded to leave on Tuesday. State officials had attempted numerous removal methods, from baiting to noisemakers, all to no avail. One attempt even resulted in the capture of the wrong bear.
The breakthrough came when Johnson contacted the BEAR League, a wildlife organization specializing in bear removal emergencies, typically operating seven hours north in Lake Tahoe. Two of their experts, Scott and Dave, made the trek to Altadena to tackle the persistent problem.
Scott, one of the League’s most seasoned responders, reportedly crawled into the confined space, fully aware of the massive bear’s presence. His mission: to get behind the ursine intruder and encourage it to exit.
The tool of choice? Paintballs filled with vegetable oil, aimed at the bear’s backside.
The BEAR League reported that the entire operation was completed in less than 20 minutes, a stark contrast to the weeks of failed attempts by other agencies. “We were pleased to have helped Ken Johnson with this bear,” the organization stated, emphasizing their commitment to helping residents coexist safely with wildlife.
Johnson, who had been dealing with tens of thousands of dollars in damage and a precarious living situation due to structural and gas line issues, expressed relief. “Right after surviving the Eaton fire, I lost my job, and shortly after that the bear began tearing into the structure of my home,” Johnson shared on a crowdfunding page. “I have video footage of it twisting gas pipes, which created an extremely dangerous situation and forced me to shut off my utilities just to stay safe.”
To ensure the bear didn’t stage a comeback, the BEAR League provided Johnson with “electric unwelcome mats” to temporarily secure the crawl space while repairs are made. Surveillance footage later confirmed the mats’ effectiveness, showing the bear scurrying away upon its return.
The BEAR League reiterated the importance of securing homes in bear country. “We remind those who live in bear country that a poorly-secured crawl space is an open invitation for a winter visitor like this bear,” they advised. The organization handles multiple such calls daily in the Lake Tahoe region, stressing that simple preventative measures can foster harmony between humans and bears.