A massive black bear, known as Yellow 2120 to researchers, took up residence beneath a $1.5 million home in Los Angeles for over a month. The bear caused damage to the property, including twisting gas lines and knocking over bricks. Efforts by state wildlife officials using air horns and paintball guns were ineffective in removing the bear. Subsequently, the homeowner sought assistance from the BEAR League, a California-based non-profit organization specializing in coexisting with bears.
The BEAR League successfully evicted the bear by having one of their experienced responders coax the 500-pound animal out from under the house. To prevent the bear from returning, an “unwelcome” mat emitting electric shocks was placed at the entrance. Video footage captured the bear being deterred by the mat upon its return.
The homeowner, Ken Johnson, expressed frustration over the bear’s presence, which led to significant property damage. Johnson, who had previously attempted various methods to remove the bear, including a makeshift burglar alarm and playing loud noises, was relieved by the successful eviction. He is now focused on repairing the damage caused by the bear and restoring his home to its previous condition.
Despite the challenges faced, Johnson felt defeated by the bear’s resilience. He described the experience as unsettling and expressed relief after the bear was finally removed. Since the eviction, the bear has returned once before moving on from the area.