Bear Visits Claremont Home for a Snack and Heads Out on Its Own

Late-Night Bear Intrusion Disrupts Claremont Family

A family in Claremont, California, experienced an unexpected visitor early Thursday morning when a California black bear entered their home around 4 a.m. The homeowner, Anju Kapoor, reported that the bear helped itself to snacks before leaving the residence on its own.

The unusual incident occurred after Kapoor’s husband had opened a vent the previous evening to clear a cooking odor. Kapoor noted that this may have facilitated the bear’s entry into their home. Photos shared by the family revealed a torn window screen, believed to be the bear’s point of entry.

While the family was asleep, the bear rummaged through their kitchen, creating a mess and consuming snacks. Upon waking, the family found dishes scattered across the floor and a trail of pistachios leading outside. Security footage captured the bear enjoying what appeared to be a midnight snack in the kitchen.

Kapoor later discovered a large piece of stool outside, which she assumed was left by the bear. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during this encounter.

This incident brings to mind a similar occurrence when a 550-pound black bear made its way into the crawlspace of an Altadena home in December 2025. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife advises residents in foothill regions to take precautions against bear intrusions. They recommend removing attractants such as pet food and food remnants from grills, as bears are omnivorous and will consume a wide range of items, including seeds, plants, and trash.

The agency emphasizes the bear’s remarkable sense of smell, which is approximately 100 times more powerful than that of a human and seven times stronger than a bloodhound’s.

In the event of encountering a bear inside a home or nearby, experts suggest the following steps:

• Give the bear space and avoid cornering it.
• Leave doors open as you back away.
• Refrain from locking the bear in a room.

If a bear is spotted in your yard:

• Make loud noises to scare it away.
• Remove potential attractants, such as garbage or pet food, after the bear leaves.
• Ask neighbors to do the same.
• Check your yard for bears before letting pets outside.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife provides additional resources for homeowners looking to safeguard their properties against bear encounters.