On 15/1, the "uninvited guest" finally left the Altadena, California home following intervention by wildlife experts. This outcome ended a period of intense stress for the 63-year-old homeowner.

The nightmare began before Thanksgiving (11/2025) when Johnson detected loud noises beneath the floor. The large black bear had damaged his gas pipeline, forcing him to turn off the valve for safety. Consequently, in the middle of winter, he lived without hot water, heating, or the ability to cook.

"I almost dropped my phone and jumped out of bed when I first saw it on camera," Ken recounted. "Even the slightest sound from under the floor kept me awake."

The bear being evicted from Johnson's home. *Screenshot from video*

The homeowner tried various methods to remove the animal. He used a leaf blower to pump ammonia scent under the house, played loud music all day, broadcast dog barking sounds, and even hung perfume-soaked clothes near the vents. However, the animal remained undisturbed.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) monitored the situation but faced staffing challenges. They set traps but ironically caught a different bear, while the culprit remained sleeping peacefully under Ken's house.

Faced with a stalemate, the non-profit BEAR League decided to intervene, stating they "could not ignore an elderly person living without heat." The rescue operation lasted 10 minutes. A rescue team member crawled under the house, approached from behind, and used a paintball gun loaded with vegetable oil pellets to deter it. Startled by the unexpected attack, the bear quickly emerged and fled.

After leaving Ken's house, the animal wandered to several nearby houses before being guided to a safe area. As soon as the bear left, Ken immediately screwed down barrier panels, installed additional bear-resistant padding, and enhanced his security cameras.

"Every morning, I check the monitors, just to be sure it hasn't returned," he said.

Nhat Minh (Source: ABC News)