February 3rd 2025.
When the Eaton Fire broke out in California, Sammy Arbid, a resident of Los Angeles, was forced to flee his home. It was a devastating wildfire, considered the second-most destructive in the state's history. So when Sammy returned to his property, he was shocked to discover an unexpected tenant taking refuge in his crawlspace.
It was none other than an enormous black bear, weighing a whopping 525 pounds. Sammy had no idea the bear, later fondly nicknamed Berry, was living under his home until utility workers came to restore the power and stumbled upon the big furry creature. In an interview with CBS News, Sammy shared, "We ended up putting a ring camera with a light on it under the crawlspace and found out we have a giant bear under there."
Of course, such a discovery was not something Sammy could handle on his own. So, he called in wildlife experts to help him deal with Berry. The plan was to lure the bear out with a feast, including apples, peanut butter, and rotisserie chicken. As city environmental scientist Kevin Howells revealed to KTLA news, the menu worked like a charm, and Berry eventually emerged from his hiding spot.
However, the experts soon realized that Berry was too big to tranquilize and safely remove from the property. So, they had to come up with a different plan. After a nerve-wracking process, Berry was humanely captured and given a welfare check. He was also fitted with a GPS collar before being released into the Angeles National Forest.
The capture was not only a success but also an incredible opportunity for the experts to get up close and personal with such a magnificent animal. According to a biologist present at the scene, Berry was the biggest bear he had ever seen in person. It was a moment they would never forget.
As for Berry's story, it seemed that he had sought shelter in Sammy's crawlspace to survive the Eaton Fire. The fire had caused immense destruction, claiming 17 lives and destroying 9,000 structures. Sammy believes that Berry had been hiding there during the blaze, too scared to come out. "I think during the fire he pretty much stayed in there. I think he was scared," Sammy shared in an interview.
In the end, Berry's journey had a happy ending, and he was able to return to his natural habitat in the forest. It was a reminder of the resilience and adaptability of animals in the face of natural disasters. And for Sammy, it was a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with a bear he would never forget.
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