A surprised homeowner in California was in for the shock of his life when he discovered a bear living under his house. The animal had been living there for almost a year.
Speaking with NBC Los Angeles, Altadena resident Kenneth Johnson says he realized that the crawl space's frame had been damaged back in February. But he wasn't sure what caused it. When more damage happened in June, he decided to install a camera in his yard. The security camera captured the animal in his yard several times.
However, in November, the camera captured the bear going into the crawl space under the house.
"When I saw it all torn up, I thought, 'He must not be under there,' because there is no way a bear could fit," Johnson told NBC.
The animal appears to have brown fur. But California reports only black bears in the state.
Bear Under The House
"I don't know how it got under there. It must be a contortionist. This thing is so big its stomach touches the ground," Johnson also said. "It's uncomfortable walking into the kitchen thinking there's a bear over there. I don't think he's any harm to me as long as I don't go down the side of the house while he's coming out."
On November 28, Johnson said the bear surprised him.
"I just glanced at the hole from standing up and [heard] a growl and a hiss, and I just ran," he said. "I was shaking like a leaf for half an hour."
Despite his close encounter with the bear, he does see the lighter side of things. He's named the bear either Ursa or Barry. The homeowner is hopeful that the Department of Fish and Wildlife will remove the animal.
"It is hilarious," Johnson said. "I mean, I'm taking the lighter side of it, but it's also worrying me a little bit having something so big and ferocious living right there! It's kind of weird. I don't need a bear for Christmas. I want to get rid of the bear for Christmas."
