A black bear casually strolled into frame behind a reporter during a live morning broadcast in Monrovia, California, as she previewed coverage of an earlier bear attack in the same neighborhood.5113
Details of the Morning Bear Attack
Earlier that Sunday, March 15, around 9:20 a.m., a woman walking her dog on the 700 block of Oakglade Drive encountered a charging bear. The animal swiped her leg, causing minor injuries to the back of her knee. She received treatment and expects a full recovery. Her dog escaped unharmed.5142
Unexpected Live TV Guest
KTLA reporter Erin Myers stood in a residential driveway teasing her report on the incident when the bear appeared behind her near a wildlife trap. She remained composed, stepping back slightly and narrating, “You can see the bear actually walking into the trap, or no, it was going to, but now it’s walking out.” Myers advised viewers, “If you do see one, don’t run, walk back slowly away from it.” She noted it marked the second time a bear interrupted her live TV segment.51
The bear nosed around the trap, crossed the driveway, grazed a lawn, then fled into a yard as a car approached. Newsroom colleagues gasped in surprise during the broadcast.51
Investigation Underway
California Department of Fish and Wildlife officers monitored the scene and attempted to trap the animal, believed to be a mother bear with a cub residing under a nearby home for months. Authorities investigate whether this bear links to the attack, possibly defending its young—a common maternal behavior.51
Pasadena Humane officials echoed that protective instincts likely prompted the swipe. The homeowner reported the bear’s presence but declined on-camera comments.51
Bears in California’s Foothills
Monrovia, a foothill community popular for walks, bikes, and hikes, sees frequent bear sightings. California hosts an estimated 60,000 black bears, the largest population in the contiguous U.S. Officials urge residents to maintain distance, secure trash in wildlife-resistant bins, and avoid feeding animals.5133
