50,000 Bears Invade California

As summer draws to a close and fall begins, California's black bears are getting hungry, and their search for food is increasingly leading them to human neighborhoods. With an estimated 50,000 to 70,000 black bears in the state, human-bear interactions have increased since the 1990s.

The bears are adaptable and versatile omnivores, able to eat everything humans can eat. This adaptability is leading them to seek out food in unexpected places, including residents' pools, chicken coops, and trashcans. In the Angeles national forest, just north of Los Angeles, a few hundred black bears live and interact with the surrounding human communities.

In Monrovia, California, referred to as the state's bear capital, residents are learning to live alongside the bears. Brian Gordon and his partner, who moved to the area four years ago, regularly share their pool with a family of bears. They document their interactions with the bears on an Instagram account called PoolBearLife, showing bear cubs playing in the water and causing mischief.

## Why it matters The increasing interactions between humans and bears in California have significant implications for both species. As communities expand and bears are drawn to human food sources, there is a risk of conflict and danger for both humans and bears. However, the story of Brian Gordon and his partner in Monrovia shows that coexistence is possible, and that with education and adaptation, humans and bears can learn to live together.

The expansion of Los Angeles and the growth of surrounding communities are likely to continue, bringing more humans and bears into close proximity. As the state's bear population continues to thrive, with an estimated 50,000 to 70,000 black bears, it is essential for residents to take steps to secure their trashcans, protect their pets and livestock, and learn to peacefully coexist with their wild neighbors.