Security footage from the foothill community captured the animal ducking under a house as officials weighed next steps.
ALTADENA, Calif. — A large black bear was caught on a home security camera this week squeezing into the crawl space beneath an Altadena house, startling the resident and prompting calls to wildlife officials, according to video aired Friday night by local television news.
Bear sightings are common along the San Gabriel foothills, but the images of the animal shimmying through a tight opening under a residence grabbed attention as the holiday weekend began. The homeowner reported hearing noise and a growl from beneath the house before reviewing the video and notifying authorities. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife typically evaluates such cases to decide whether to wait the animal out, lure it away, or remove it. The report comes as Altadena has seen multiple high-profile bear encounters this year, including a winter case in which a heavy male bear was relocated after officers found it living under a different home.
The new video, recorded on the property of Ken Johnson, shows the bear shouldering past a torn screen and slipping into a low opening under the structure. Johnson said he first noticed the animal roaming the yard and knocking over a trash can before it disappeared toward the foundation. He checked his cameras and saw the bear return, crouch, and wriggle inside. “I heard a big growl coming from under the house,” Johnson said, adding that he backed away and called for guidance. The footage circulated on local newscasts Friday, with crews noting it was taken earlier in the week in a neighborhood bordering the Angeles National Forest. No injuries were reported, and neighbors were advised by authorities on scene to keep a distance while officials assessed the situation.
Responders who handle foothill wildlife calls said decisions hinge on where the animal is resting, whether cubs are present, and how secure the crawl space is. In confined spaces, tranquilizers are often avoided because a sedated bear could slump into a tight area or water line and be difficult to retrieve. In past Altadena incidents, officers have used large culvert traps baited with food to coax a bear out for a health check and relocation. In Friday’s case, crews emphasized there was no immediate threat to the public. The animal appeared to be a solitary adult and was moving comfortably. Officials said they would monitor overnight and determine if any intervention was needed once the bear emerged.
Altadena sits at the trailheads to Eaton Canyon and other canyons where black bears move down to forage, especially in warm, dry conditions or after fire seasons that shift food sources. Earlier this year, a 525-pound male was found under a local home and was removed by a team after it blocked utility work; that bear was examined, fitted with a GPS collar and released back into the Angeles National Forest. Wildlife managers say these encounters reflect long-running patterns of bears following smells from unsecured trash, pet food, and easy shelter spots under raised homes dating back decades in foothill towns from La Cañada Flintridge to Sierra Madre.
As of Friday night, the Altadena crawl space remained the bear’s chosen hideout, with responders planning to check again after dark and at first light, when bears often move. If the animal leaves on its own, crews could reinforce the opening with sturdy barriers. If it does not, officials said a humane lure-and-trap setup would be considered, followed by a medical check and release on public land. Any formal removal would trigger routine paperwork and coordination with county animal control and state wildlife staff. No citations or enforcement actions were announced, and authorities did not identify any injuries or property damage beyond the torn screen and a tipped-over bin.
On the block Friday, neighbors traded updates and swapped phone videos. A passerby paused to film the shadowy opening under the house while a small group pointed out paw prints in soft soil near the side yard. “We’ve seen bears on trash night, but I’ve never seen one squeeze under like that,” said a neighbor who gave only her first name, Maria. Another resident described seeing the same bear ambling past a parked car at dusk, nose up as if following a scent. A utility worker said crews would wait for the all-clear before approaching meters or lines running under the home.
By late evening, officials said monitoring would continue through the weekend and that any active removal would be announced if scheduled. For now, the bear’s status was listed as stable and stationary beneath the structure, with the next check expected early Sunday. No evacuations were ordered, and the street remained open.
Author note: Last updated November 30, 2025.