Art imitates life: Bear moves under California home of retired 'Yogi Bear' animator

In a curious case of art imitating life, a black bear named "Junior" has taken up residence under the home of Bob and Susan Nesler, a retired animator known for his work on Yogi Bear. This old male bear, weighing between 300 and 400 pounds, discovered a way into the Neslers' crawl space through a hole in their porch and has been coming and going at night. While Junior has not caused any issues, the couple, along with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, are eager to encourage his departure. To this end, motion-activated sprinklers have been set up to deter the bear if he returns. The Neslers have affectionately named the bear, but there is no indication of whether he possesses the cleverness attributed to his animated counterpart.

Black bears are common in Sierra Madre, which is situated in the San Gabriel Valley foothills of Los Angeles County. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is currently revising its Black Bear Conservation Plan, aiming to bolster protections for these animals, which play a vital role in the state's biodiversity. This incident serves as a reminder of the close interactions between wildlife and residents in California.