Living Near Wildlife in San Gabriel Mountains: What to do when Confronted by Bear

ARCADIA, CA — With Monday's bear attack near Arcadia, now more than ever residents need to be certain they know what do do when confronted by wild animals close to home.

"Bears, coyotes, deer, mountain lions, bobcats, all roam the foothills above our town and will sometimes venture into residential neighborhoods," the Pasadena Humane Society said in recent release. "Most of the time, the wildlife comes and goes without notice. In recent years, it seems that calls of bear and lion sightings have been on the rise."

Indeed, Monday's bear sighting turned into a non-fatal incident when a hiker suffered injuries in the San Gabriel Mountains.

"The attack was reported at around noon in the Bailey Canyon Wilderness Park," California Fish and Wildlife spokesman Andrew Hughan said.

The 53-year-old victim was hiking alone on Mt. Wilson Trail when he encountered the full grown bear. Reports state he was then attacked by a second bear which knocked him down, according to Hughan.

"He was able to walk out of the area and called 911," Hughan said. The man, transported to Methodist Hospital in Arcadia, was searched for "bear DNA" by game wardens. If the attacking bear is discovered, it will more than likely be euthanized, according to Hughan.

With the bear incident, it begs the question on how residents can peacefully, humanely exist with such wildlife.

The Pasadena Humane Society will host a free seminar on humanely coexisting with wildlife at their facility on October 16, 2016, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 pm.

The seminar is open to anyone who would like to attend. Topics include identifying common native wildlife, discouraging wild critters from visiting your property and what to do if you encounter a threatening wild animal like a coyote or bear.

There will also be a Q&A session after the presentation.