California man finds 525-pound bear living under his home after Los Angeles wildfires

A man from Southern California, Samy Arbid, returned to his home after evacuating due to last month’s devastating wildfires, only to be greeted by an unexpected surprise — a 525-pound male black bear living under his house.

The incident occurred in Altadena, California, after the Eaton Fire passed through the area. The bear had sought refuge under Arbid's home, thus managing to survive the intense blaze.

Upon returning, Arbid was stunned to find the massive animal taking shelter in such an unlikely spot.


In order to safely remove the bear, a wildlife rescue team had to come up with a creative plan, reported CNN.

'Barry' the visitor

"Barry," as locals call the bear, has been a regular in the neighbourhood for a while. Arbid described him as a calm bear who mostly keeps to himself.

The only type of bear in California is the black bear, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Also Read : Prince Harry’s wellness firm faces backlash over ‘predatory,’ and ‘toxic- culture by customers, ex-employees

How Arbid and his wife found 'Barry'

Arbid and his wife had been warned about bears in the area, but they never expected such a close encounter with one.

“We’d heard from neighbours about a big bear that visits often,” Arbid recalled. “But no one knew the bear was living under our house. That was a surprise.”

The couple first became aware of something unusual when they heard noises coming from under their home. Initially, they assumed it was just a small animal, but when the sounds turned into growls and hisses, they realised they weren’t dealing with a typical intruder.

While many other residents had evacuated Altadena, the bear chose to stay behind, seeking shelter under the house.

A wildlife biologist explained that the bear likely remained in place because it found a secure refuge and that the smoke from the fire wouldn’t have been enough to drive it out.

Rescue operation

A local gas and oil company refused to service Arbid's home until the bear was removed. As a result, Arbid and his wife couldn't restore their power until the bear was removed.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife had to remove Barry from a small space under the house. They were unsure of his reaction and set up cameras.

Due to his size, anaesthesia wasn't used. After 24 hours of effort, the team lured him out with a rotisserie chicken.

Barry was safely relocated to the Angeles National Forest, where he received a welfare check and a GPS collar.

Also Read : Donald Trump plans to announce steel and aluminium tariffs for ‘everybody’

FAQs:

1. What is the role of CDFW?
The CDFW (California Department of Fish and Wildlife) is responsible for protecting and managing California's fish, wildlife, and plant resources.

2. When did the Los Angeles wildfires start?
The destructive wildfires, driven by dry conditions and strong winds, began on January 7.