3 Bears Spotted Rummaging Through Trash Cans In Monrovia

MONROVIA (CBSLA.com) — Three bears were spotted overnight rifling through trash in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.

A large bear and two small cubs were reported early Monday in the 1100 block of North Norumbega in Monrovia.

The bears were caught on camera by a local photojournalist as they rummaged through garbage cans left out for trash pickup.

Last week, a bear and a cub were also spotted in the same block.

Authorities say bears have become increasingly comfortable in residential neighborhoods.

"Bears will wonder down in the populated areas for food because they really enjoy pet food. They enjoy avocados, and they enjoy human trash," Monrovia Police Dept. Sgt. Nick Manfredi said.

They advise residents to make their garbage cans bear-proof and to avoid putting out the cans overnight.

"One of the things we really recommend for our residents is to pay the addition fee for Athens Services and get the bear-resistant canister," Manfredi said.

Monrovia resident Cyrus Kemp wants the Department of Fish and Wildlife to do more.

"At this point in time, if you take away the food source here, if everyone had a locked can, those bears would go further into the community" Kemp said.

A department representative said routine relocation is impractical, because a habituated bear will roam 100 miles and become another community's problem. He said education remains the department's top directive with their goal to get whole communities on board.

No problems with the bears were reported.