Bear returns to La Cañada Flintridge

He’s no Meatball, but La Cañada’s Flintridge’s own bear -- not nearly as famous as his relative from Glendale -- made at least his second appearance this week on Pomander Place.

On Thursday a gardener working at the home of Mark Martinez spotted the bear, about two weeks after the ursine’s first visit. Martinez said the bear knocked over a trash can and headed up the street between noon and 1 p.m.

Martinez believes he is the same young adult who climbed a tree in his backyard a few weeks ago. His theory is that the bear follows Flint Creek up from Hahamongna Watershed Park through the neighborhood.

“There’s fresh water down there, and he’s found somewhere cool to stay,” Martinez said.

Martinez noted that ever-present squirrels seem to disappear when the bear is about, and urges his human neighbors to be careful, as well.

“There are children around. We really need to let the neighborhood know to take precautions,” he said.

Tips from Department of Fish & Game officials include: Setting garbage cans out on the curb only on the morning of pickup, spraying the cans with bleach or ammonia to mask the lingering scents, taking in animal bowls and feeders, and harvesting fruit in residential gardens as soon as it is ripe.

--Bill Kisliuk, Times Community News

Twitter: @bkisliuk