Why is a bear living under a house in Altadena?

Bears often seek warm, safe places to den, and the crawlspace under the Altadena home provided such an environment for Yellow 2120.

Did the bear trap work in Altadena?

A bear trap set with sweet scents captured a different, non-target bear. The bear living under the home, Yellow 2120, was not caught.

What is known about Yellow 2120, the Altadena bear?

Yellow 2120 is a 550-pound California black bear that has been in the Altadena area for about five months and was previously tagged and released.

Home / Environment / Bear Evades Sweet Trap, Stays Put

Bear Evades Sweet Trap, Stays Put

20 Dec, 2025

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Summary

A 550-pound bear has been living under an Altadena home for over two weeks.
A bear trap set with sweet scents captured a different bear, not the intended one.
The bear, identified as Yellow 2120, was previously tagged and released in Angeles National Forest.

A persistent California black bear, weighing an estimated 550 pounds, has taken up residence in the crawlspace of an Altadena home for more than two weeks. The uninvited guest, identified as Yellow 2120, has evaded capture despite efforts by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). This particular bear has a history with authorities, having been previously trapped, tagged, and released into the Angeles National Forest approximately five months ago.

CDFW biologists recently deployed a large metal cage trap near the home, enticing it with cherry and caramel scents in an attempt to capture Yellow 2120. However, on December 16, the trap successfully secured a different, non-target bear. This captured bear, estimated to be three to four years old, was safely released into a suitable nearby habitat the following day.