California town braces for spring bear invasion
Residents of a California town are bracing for an invasion of black bears as the animals are emerging from hibernation.
People in the small community of Pine Mountain Club, 140 km northwest of Los Angeles, are preparing for the unwanted guests after more than 560 bear-related incidents since July 2023, up from 319 documented the year before.
“Honestly, it’s out of control,” one resident told NBC News.
Bears have entered homes, vehicles and grocery stores looking for food, according to footage shared on social media.
Stan Enzgo patrols overnight to scare away the bears and keep them from entering homes and other properties.
Some residents blamed wildfires as a reason for the bears invading town, while others pointed at people who provide food for the animals.
“We’ve got a few residents who think it’s their job to feed the bears, so they contribute to the problem,” said Todd Griesen, general manager of the Pine Mountain Club Property Owners Association. “We’re working with the authorities to deal with that.”
One resident who has lived in Pine Mountain Club for more than 15 years said he is now used seeing bears roam around.
“It was one of those things that we realized over time that the bears did not want to hurt you or hurt your family,” Ian Sawrey told ABC affiliate KERO in Bakersfield. “Their goal was just to get food.”