A 550‑pound male black bear that had been living under a home in Altadena for more than a month was driven out after BEAR League responders used paintballs loaded with vegetable oil to encourage it out of the crawl space. Earlier removal attempts by state officials — including bait, noisemakers and traps — failed. The bear caused extensive structural damage and twisted gas pipes, forcing utilities to be shut off while repairs are planned. BEAR League lent electric "unwelcome" mats to prevent a return and urged homeowners in bear country to secure crawl spaces.
550‑Pound Bear Evicted From Altadena Home After Unusual Paintball Tactic Ends Monthlong Ordeal
A 550-pound bear finally scurries away after a wildlife expert crawls under the home to flush it out.
A 550‑pound male black bear that had been living in the crawl space beneath Ken Johnson’s Altadena home for more than a month was finally driven out after wildlife specialists used an unconventional—but effective—tactic.
How Officials Failed — And A Rescue Team Succeeded
After weeks of unsuccessful removal attempts by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife — including baiting, noisemakers and traps that even once caught the wrong bear — the homeowner contacted BEAR League, a Lake Tahoe–based wildlife rescue group that responds to bear evictions.
Unusual But Quick: Paintballs of Vegetable Oil
BEAR League responders Scott and Dave traveled roughly seven hours from the Lake Tahoe region to the Altadena residence. According to the organization, one responder crawled into the crawl space and fired paintballs filled with vegetable oil at the bear’s rear to encourage it to move out through the opening. The team says the operation took less than 20 minutes.
Surveillance video has captured a large bear squeezing itself into a new home.
"Scott, one of our most experienced responders, crawled beneath the home—fully aware the bear was still there—to get behind him and encourage him to exit through the crawl space opening," BEAR League told Fox News Digital.
Damage, Danger and Immediate Consequences
Surveillance footage reportedly showed the bear wedging itself in and out of the small crawl space beginning in late November. Johnson has said the animal caused extensive structural damage and twisted gas pipes, creating an "extremely dangerous" situation that forced him to shut off utilities. He estimates repairs will cost tens of thousands of dollars.
"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 wrote on his GoFundMe page. "I have video footage of it twisting gas pipes..."
Preventing A Repeat Visit
To discourage the bear from denning beneath the house again while repairs are made, BEAR League provided the homeowner with electric "unwelcome" mats. Social media footage posted by the group showed the mat deterring the bear when it later approached and then retreated. The organization emphasized that securing crawl spaces and other openings is an important step for residents who live in bear country.
BEAR League also noted that it has carried out similar evictions in the Lake Tahoe region for about 30 years and typically does not charge homeowners for emergency responses.
Takeaway
The episode highlights both the risks wildlife can pose when they den near human homes and the value of specialized responders and preventive measures. Officials recommend securing crawl spaces and removing attractants to reduce the chance of future wildlife conflicts.
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