Authorities in Los Angeles County put down a bear that invaded several homes in the foothills.
Southern California Sees Spike in Bear Break-ins, Prompting Response from Authorities
A surge in bear break-ins has been reported in Southern California neighborhoods, particularly in Sierra Madre and the San Gabriel Valley, according to local authorities. This increase is largely attributed to the Eaton Fire in January 2025, which burned a substantial portion of the bears' natural habitat, forcing them to enter residential areas more frequently in search of food.
In June 2025 alone, there were 41 reported break-ins tied to bears, compared to just 13 in the same time period in 2024. One specific bear was identified as responsible for numerous break-ins, entering homes, opening refrigerators, and consuming food, leading wildlife officials to trap and humanely euthanize it to mitigate the rising conflict.
Residents have taken protective measures such as installing wood pieces, bars, and metal grates over windows to prevent bears from breaking in. Local authorities are actively tracking bear activity, deploying wildlife officials to address problem bears promptly. However, by the time officials arrive, bears often have already left the area, making mitigation challenging.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is involved in managing these conflict bears, balancing public safety and wildlife preservation. In a previous meeting, the CDFW stated that relocating problem bears isn't a simple solution due to the bears often returning to their original neighborhood or dying in the process.
Mayors from several foothill communities are holding a meeting on Friday to discuss bear issues in their cities, with the aim of maintaining safety for both people and bears. However, the CDFW has not yet responded to News Los Angeles' request for information regarding this meeting.
Some residents are torn over the decision to euthanize the bear. Elizabeth Romo, a resident in the area, expresses concerns about euthanizing the bear, while Troy Chatmajian, whose mother experienced a bear break-in at her house in Sierra Madre, supports the decision due to ineffective home security. Laura Aguilar, a spokesperson for the city of Sierra Madre, mentions the importance of consistency in addressing bear wildlife concerns but notes that they don't know if it's the same bears doing the break-ins repeatedly.
Nicole Comstock, an Emmy-nominated reporter at KCAL9 and our2 News who covers breaking news in the Inland Empire, is not involved in the bear euthanization incident mentioned earlier. She joined the team in June 2018. The euthanized bear might have been responsible for dozens of break-ins in the region.
In conclusion, the spike in bear break-ins is primarily due to habitat loss from wildfires, prompting more frequent forays into neighborhoods in search of food, and authorities are responding with both population control (euthanasia of conflict bears) and encouraging physical deterrents for residents to reduce encounters. The meeting on Friday aims to find solutions to address this issue and ensure the safety of both people and bears.
- Amidst the surge in bear break-ins, there has been increasing interest in health-and-wellness measures for bears, such as ensuring their habitat remains intact.
- The spike in bear break-ins has raised concerns about the impact on environmental-science, specifically as it pertains to the bears' natural habitats and ecosystems.
- To manage the issue effectively, authorities are considering solutions in the realm of science, such as studying bear behavior patterns to devise strategies that minimize conflicts with human populations and promote a balanced fitness-and-exercise routine for bears.
