Sierra Madre Couple Hosts Bear in Crawlspace

A Sierra Madre couple, Bob and Susan Nesler, is cohabitating with a large black bear they affectionately named 'Junior,' which has taken up residence in their crawlspace. The bear, estimated to weigh between 300 and 400 pounds, leaves at night and returns in the early morning, causing minimal disruption aside from some scat left behind. The Neslers, who are in contact with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, prefer a humane removal method if necessary, expressing no desire to harm the bear. Wildlife officials are currently setting up motion-activated sprinklers to encourage the bear to leave on its own. The presence of bears in the area is common, and the local bear population has significantly increased over the past two decades. Residents are accustomed to bear sightings, often leading to humorous anecdotes about their interactions with these creatures.