In the suburban neighborhood of Chatsworth, located in Los Angeles, a rare sighting of a bear was reported on Monday night. The bear, identified as a collared and tagged female, was spotted meandering through an industrial area near De Soto Avenue and Lassen Street. Local authorities, including Los Angeles police officers, responded to the scene and observed the bear as it navigated between industrial buildings and parking lots. However, they decided to allow the bear to continue its journey.
By early Tuesday morning, the bear was found nestled high up a tree in the same area. Residents living nearby were surprised and excited about the unexpected visit of the wild animal, with many rushing to the scene in hopes of catching a glimpse of the bear. One resident, Crystal Amaya from Canoga Park, shared her excitement, stating, “I’ve always wanted to see a bear and I never thought I would see it here in my hometown… I don’t like animals being hurt so I just hope it ends up safe.”
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) confirmed that they attempted to capture the bear on Monday but were unsuccessful as it did not enter the trap. The department revealed that the bear is between three and five years old and was initially captured in Claremont in late May before being released into the Angeles National Forest. Since then, the bear has reportedly traveled along the 210 Freeway all the way to the Malibu area.
CDFW plans to send human-wildlife conflict staff to the area to determine the next course of action. Wildlife officials expressed their hope that the bear will find its way back to suitable habitat on its own. However, if the path back seems unclear, they may consider chemically immobilizing the bear and returning it to the nearest suitable habitat, taking both the animal’s and public safety into consideration.
