Black bears in Sierra Madre, a city next to the 700,000-acre Angeles National Forest in California, are breaking into people's homes, cars and backyards as humans encroach on their habitats.
Residents in the area now report regular encounters with the furry intruders, who have taken to breaking and entering in search of food, often by simply opening the door. One bear, in particular, recently made headlines by moving into an abandoned house on Alta Vista Drive, from which it had to be evicted by authorities.
While bear sightings in the area are not uncommon, this new phenomenon is a cause for concern. In 2020, Sierra Madre saw around 100 bear sightings, but by last year, the number skyrocketed to 380, with at least 50 break-ins reported.
Homeowners like Sara Alden have felt the impact. "It was in the last five years that they've really become a nuisance," Alden told CBS Los Angeles. "They're getting more brazen, they really are."
Alden's home was broken into by a bear, which proceeded to trash the place.
Erinn Wilson, the South Coast Region regional manager with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, told the Sierra Madre City Council in May that while some bears are easily scared off, others are more dangerous. Some have learned to adapt to human schedules, prowling neighborhoods on trash collection days, while others are less afraid and have been known to damage property and even kill livestock.
Newsweek reached out to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife via phone for comment on the break-ins.
The bear living on Alta Vista Drive proved to be one of the most troubling cases. Situated with views over the San Gabriel Valley, the house sat vacant as the bear took up residence. Neighbors complained about break-ins and an unbearable stench, prompting the city to take action.
With no response from the homeowner, the city secured a warrant to inspect the property. In August, officials from Fish and Wildlife found clear evidence of the bear's occupancy, including broken windows, bear tracks, feces and rotten food.
City staff have since boarded up the home and cleared the property. The bear hasn't been spotted since.
To reduce the chance of conflict with bears, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends bringing pets inside at night, eliminating access to places where a bear might make a den, such as a crawl space, installing motion-activated lights, and using bear-proof trash cans. Picking up fruit that has fallen from trees is also recommended.
An estimated 50,000 to 81,000 black bears live in California, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Their populations are growing, and they're learning to adapt to human habitats quickly.
"If black bears are given access to human food and garbage, they rapidly become addicted," the department warned on its website. "They lose caution and respect. They cause property damage. They might threaten human safety. They might be killed."
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