The lesson here: don't text without knowing what's ahead of you! A bear was snacking on trashcans in La Crescenta yesterday, causing a media flap.
by Timothy Rutt
It's springtime, and that means the critters are out and about. That came home multiple times Tuesday: Dr. Barkman told us about how the coyotes now have young to feed, there was a bear roaming the neighborhoods in La Crescenta (which caused a helicopter flap on the northwest side of Altadena as news choppers jockeyed for position) -- and our neighbor to the north of Altadenablog World Headquarters called to say that she spotted a bobcat IN OUR OWN YARD on the eastside yesterday morning (which may explain why Hansel the dog didn't want to spend the morning in the backyard as he usually does). Sorry we missed it, tho'!
As for the bear: The State Department of Fish & Game sent an email message out this morning that the 400-lb bruin was cornered in a La Crescenta backyard, tranquilized, and sent back into the wild. Fish & Game also sent these note on bear-proofing your home:
When wild animals are allowed to feed on human food and garbage, they lose their natural ways, often resulting in death for the animal. Bears and other animals are attracted to anything edible or smelly. Humans can take these steps to prevent attracting bears and other animals to their homes or campsites:
- Store garbage in bear-proof containers or in the garage until pick-up.
- Keep food indoors or in airtight and odor-free containers.
- Put away picnic leftovers; clean BBQ grills.
- Keep pet food inside.
- Pick up fallen tree fruit as soon as possible, or protect fruit trees with electric fencing.
- Remove cosmetic fragrances and other attractants, including bird feeders and compost piles.
- Install or request bear-proof trash containers.
UPDATE 9:45 AM: Just received a call from a neighbor on La Paz Road, who said she heard a low feline-sounding growl that seemed out-of-place at about 9:30 Tuesday night. Her next-door neighbor said she heard the same thing about 2 AM this morning, so something (maybe the bobcat, not-impossibly mountain lion) may be out there -- be vigilant for your pets.
