LOS ANGELES — California wildlife officials and residents are experiencing a record number of black bear encounters in 2026. Alex Heeran, a research scientist at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife who studies the human dimensions of wildlife encounters, stated that 2026 is on track to be a record-setting year for reported bear encounters.

The state is home to an estimated 50,000 to 70,000 black bears, with a few hundred living in the Angeles National Forest north of Los Angeles. Human-bear interactions have increased since the 1990s as communities on the outskirts of the city have grown. Black bears are drawn to residents’ pools, chicken coops, fruit trees and trashcans in these expanding neighborhoods.

Fish and wildlife officials receive reports of bears creating nuisances, damaging fences, getting into sheds, and making messes while looking for calories. Human food is more calorie dense than natural food sources, making it easier for bears to gain weight. Bears that live or forage near human environments tend to reproduce more often and at higher rates due to the availability of human food.

Warmer summers associated with climate change can alter the availability of natural food and force bears to expand their ranges. The 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires were linked to a lack of natural food sources, prompting bears near Los Angeles to search in neighborhoods. Pet food left outside, koi ponds, fruit trees with abundant fruit, and swimming pools are attractive to bears.

Wilson Sherman stated that human-dominated landscapes should take steps to minimize bear contact by making neighborhoods unattractive to bears. Sherman said the spread of bear footage on social media, much of it captured by doorbell cameras, is a double-edged sword. Human and bear interactions generally peak every year in late summer and early fall.

September is often an active month for bear interactions as black bears finish their pre-hibernation hungry period, known as hyperphagia. Interactions between bears and residents of Los Angeles will thin out for the season as September draws to a close. Residents of Los Angeles will contend with bears again in spring, alongside mountain lions, deer and coyotes that call the city’s outskirts home.

Brian Gordon and his partner moved to Monrovia, California four years ago. Gordon’s house in Monrovia is the last before the Angeles National Forest begins. A family of bears wandered through his back garden while he was buying his home. Gordon and his partner document bear interactions on an Instagram account called PoolBearLife.

Gordon and his partner keep trashcans clean and remove temptations to coexist safely with bears. Escalated conflict with bears can result in euthanasia or relocation, though wildlife officials try to prevent situations from reaching that point. A mother bear known as “Blondie” was euthanized earlier this year after officials determined she had swiped at local residents twice, causing minor injuries.

According to heysocal.com, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife determined that the bear responsible for the March 14 attack on a resident in Monrovia, Los Angeles County, was a public safety threat and decided to euthanize the bear after a thorough assessment of the bear’s behavior and the circumstances of the incident. Blondie had two cubs at the time of her euthanasia.

Blondie’s two cubs are being raised in captivity until they can hopefully be released back into the wild. Residents of Monrovia rallied for an alternative plan to euthanasia, but the effort ultimately turned into a memorial walk through the city in Blondie’s honor. According to heysocal.com, a Community Honor Walk vigil is planned for 9 a.m. Saturday at Monrovia Library, 321 S. Myrtle Ave. as a space for reflection, respect, and community, according to organizers.

Becky Shevlin, the mayor of Monrovia, told the Los Angeles Times in March that the city was not part of the decision process. "The city was not a part of that conversation or decision," Shevlin said. She added that the community felt deep sorrow over the outcome. "We were absolutely devastated, especially when you think about her having the two little cubs," Shevlin said.

Why It Matters

The rise in bear encounters reflects broader environmental and demographic shifts affecting California. Climate change and urban expansion are altering bear behavior and range, leading to more frequent interactions with humans. The euthanasia of Blondie and the subsequent community response reflect the tension between public safety concerns and wildlife conservation efforts.

As human populations grow in wildland-urban interfaces, the need for effective coexistence strategies becomes critical. The record number of encounters in 2026 reflects the urgency of addressing these issues through education, habitat management, and policy. The fate of Blondie’s cubs remains a point of interest for both officials and residents concerned about the long-term impacts of such conflicts.