Overview
- Ken Johnson says the state told him to stand down and banned baiting, and he is preparing a negligence and emotional distress claim against the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
- CDFW disputes any pullback, saying biologists are in regular contact, have set traps, cameras and lights, have tried hazing, and have urged the homeowner to secure the crawlspace when the bear leaves.
- A December operation trapped a different, smaller bear that was later tagged and released, while the larger bear continued using the crawlspace.
- Johnson reports ongoing damage under the home, including a broken pipe that led him to shut off gas on Christmas Eve, leaving him without hot water.
- Officials and local reports identify the animal as tagged “Yellow 2120,” previously relocated about 10 miles away, underscoring challenges when bears return to residential areas.