The California Commission of Fish and Wildlife have been extremely busy and involved helping both people and wildlife recover from the Southern California fires. Last week, an environmental scientist with the wildlife department spent nearly 24 hours leading a team of rescuers to free a 525-pound male bear out from a crawl space under a home in Altadena.
The homeowner had been evacuated when the Eaton fire approached. Fortunately, their home had not been damaged, however when they returned, the utility company informed them the power could not be restored, as there had been a bear under the home where the power employees had to work.
The homeowners contacted the Department who sent out qualified personnel to evaluate the situation and help the homeowner discourage the bear from using the crawlspace again, once he was safely removed. All work to secure the openings to the crawlspace were blocked.
Howell and his team set up a trap near the crawl space and waited for the bear to come out. The bear was captured and then transported to Angeles National Forest where he was checked over and then released with a GPS collar
The homeowner’s utilities have been restored, and the crawl space was securely boarded and is now bear-proof. 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.
For more information on how to avoid human-wildlife conflict, head to CDFW’s website: https://wildlife.ca.gov/HWC/Black-Bears….
Many thanks to the heroes who help wildlife through these trying times. After all, they have the right to live in peace and raise their own families in the forests where they belong.
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