Los Angeles is experiencing a surge in human-bear interactions, with 2026 anticipated to be a record-setting year for reported encounters. This increase is linked to the expansion of communities on the outskirts of the metropolis, bringing bears into closer contact with human residences.
Black bears, which are adaptable omnivores, are increasingly drawn to human food sources such as trash, pet food left outside, fruit trees, and even swimming pools. These human-provided calories are more dense and easier for bears to obtain than natural food sources, according to Wilson Sherman, a PhD student at the University of California, Los Angeles.
The rise in interactions has been observed since the 1990s, coinciding with community growth. California is home to an estimated 50,000 to 70,000 black bears, with several hundred residing in the Angeles National Forest, just north of Los Angeles. Warmer summers and major wildfires, such as the 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires, have also been linked to a lack of natural food, prompting bears to seek sustenance in neighbourhoods.
While many residents are learning to coexist with bears, such as Brian Gordon and his partner in Monrovia who share their pool with a bear family, officials advise minimising contact. Alex Heeran, a research scientist at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, notes that interactions typically peak in late summer and early autumn, with September being a particularly active month as bears enter a pre-hibernation feeding period.
Although most conflicts can be prevented by making neighbourhoods less attractive to bears, some situations can escalate. Earlier this year, a mother bear known as "Blondie" was euthanised in Monrovia after reportedly swiping at residents twice, causing minor injuries. Her two cubs are now being raised in captivity.