California has been struggling with some of the most devastating wildfires in recent years, and it’s not just humans who are affected. The state’s wildlife is also taking a hit, losing their homes and habitats to these terrible disasters. However, sometimes, the animals find shelter in surprising places – just like one giant bear did.
The Bear’s Story
In a quiet neighborhood of Altadena, California, a large bear—who locals call either Victor or Berry—found an unexpected refuge under a house after wildfires ravaged the area. The bear’s story caught the attention of the community, who were relieved to know that the 500-pound animal managed to survive the fire.
This particular bear is well-known in the area. He’s been spotted before, and his presence is familiar to the locals. But when a homeowner returned to his property after evacuating due to the fires, he discovered that Berry had taken shelter in the crawlspace under his house. At that point, no one could turn the power back on, as the bear was blocking access to the area.
A Challenging Situation for Authorities
At first, experts thought of tranquilizing the bear to remove him. However, because of his size, the plan was difficult to execute. The bear was far too heavy to drag out of such a small space while unconscious. That meant rescuers had to come up with a safer and more effective plan to help the bear leave on his own.
The wildlife experts and rescuers understood that the bear was likely hiding under the house because he was scared. The wildfires had caused destruction all around, and the bear had probably sought shelter to escape the dangers of the flames.
One of the rescuers said, “I think during the fire he pretty much stayed in there. I think he was scared.” It made sense that the bear would be frightened after such a terrifying experience.
A Clever Trick to Lure the Bear Out
So, what did the experts do to get the bear to leave? They turned to the oldest and most reliable trick in the book: food. They set up a trap under the house with some delicious snacks that no bear could resist.
The trap included treats like apples, peanut butter, and even a rotisserie chicken. Bears love food, and these treats were too tempting to pass up. Sure enough, Berry came out of his hiding spot to check out the food.
Once he stepped into the trap, rescuers were able to safely secure him. They didn’t want to risk the bear getting hurt, so they made sure he wasn’t harmed during the rescue process.
Berry Gets a Wellness Check and Is Released
After the bear was safely trapped, he was transported to the nearby Angeles National Forest. There, wildlife experts performed a wellness check to make sure he was okay after the traumatic experience. They fitted him with a tracking collar before releasing him back into the wild, where he belonged.
Though this story had a happy ending, it also highlighted the impact of wildfires on wildlife. The forest fires are not only a danger to human life and property but also to animals like bears who lose their homes and are forced to seek shelter in strange places.
How to Avoid Bears Under Your House
If you live in a California area where wildfires and bears are common, it’s important to take steps to prevent unwanted visitors from taking shelter under your home. Many people in California are used to seeing bears around their properties, but it’s still important to take safety measures.
Experts recommend closing up crawlspaces and any openings under your house with secure structures. This is more effective than just using netting or chicken wire, which may not be strong enough to keep out large animals like bears.
Final Thoughts
This story about the giant bear named Berry serves as a reminder of how wildfires affect not only humans but also wildlife. It shows how animals like bears are just as vulnerable to natural disasters and how they, too, need help during such trying times. The clever use of food helped rescue this bear, but it’s a reminder that we need to be mindful of our wildlife and their safety, especially during wildfire season.
By taking simple steps to secure our homes, we can avoid surprising encounters with wildlife while also keeping animals safe during these challenging times.
(Source : pethelpful.com)