When an Altadena, Calif., homeowner fled the terrifying Eaton Fire, the last thing the family expected was a jumbo-sized squatter to crash their homecoming.
But as the smoke cleared, a 525-pound surprise awaited — one with claws, fur, and a taste for rotisserie chicken. Samy Arbid, the homeowner, returned after evacuation only to learn his property’s power couldn’t be restored — thanks to a bear that had hunkered down in his crawl space, and had the poor electrician taking one look and promptly saying ‘no’.
The bear was found hiding in the home’s crawlspace. Photo by California Department of Fish and Wildlife
“The homeowner, along with neighbors in Altadena, had been evacuated due to the Eaton fire. Once they returned, the utility company informed the resident that power couldn’t be restored, as there was (an adult male) bear under the home where the company needed to work,” the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) said in a statement.
Curiosity — and a Ring camera — solved the mystery. “We ended up putting a ring camera with a light on it under the crawlspace and found out we have a giant bear under there,” Arbid said. The footage revealed a hulking figure, later nicknamed Berry, who’d swapped wildfire chaos for a cozy hideout.
“It was nerve-wracking for a while,” Arbid said, noting the bear’s staggering size. “The biologist actually said it was the biggest bear he’s ever seen in person.” Wildlife experts guessed that Berry, also dubbed Victor by locals, sought refuge during the blaze.
I think during the fire he pretty much stayed in there,” Arbid said. “I think he was scared.”
Berry was found hiding in a home’s crawlspace. Photo by California Department of Fish and Wildlife
With Berry too bulky to tranquilize safely, CDFW scientist Kevin Howells devised a delicious escape plan. “We got some apples, peanut butter and some rotisserie chicken,” Howells said. The gourmet bait worked. “They made a feast for him,” Arbid said, as Berry took the tasty hint, ambling into a trap minutes later.
Relocated to Angeles National Forest, Berry received a health check and a GPS collar before his release. Meanwhile, Arbid’s home underwent a bear-proof makeover, sealing crawl spaces with sturdy materials. “In the foothills of bear country, it’s important to close crawl spaces with bear-proof material in advance of winter months to discourage bears from denning and damaging property,” CDFW officials said.
While Berry’s escapade added drama to wildfire recovery, Arbid said he now laughs about his uninvited guest. After all, it’s not every day a bear turns your crawl space into a survival bunker — or leaves you with a story this ‘unbearably’ wild.
Sources: NY Post | The Independent
