A woman was injured by a black bear in Monrovia on Saturday, marking a rare encounter. The incident happened around 9:20 a.m. while she was walking her dog on Oakglade Drive. Police Lt. Kevin Oberon reported that the bear charged at the woman and swiped her knee. Thankfully, her injuries weren’t serious.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has been notified. With about 60,000 black bears, California has the largest population of these animals in the contiguous U.S. Despite this, attacks on people are uncommon. In fact, Lt. Oberon mentioned that in his 23 years with the police, this is the first case he has seen of a bear attacking a human.
As humans encroach more into bear habitats, these encounters are likely to rise. Bears are also venturing into neighborhoods where they were once rare, seeking food and water. Trends show that incidents like the Eaton Fire in 2025 in nearby Altadena have forced bears out of their charred habitats and into residential areas.
Experts recommend residents secure their food and trash to avoid attracting bears, as they are notoriously food-driven. A few months ago, a bear was even found living under a house in Altadena, highlighting the increasing overlap between bear habitats and human settlements.
With more people living near these wild areas, understanding bear behavior becomes crucial for safety. Managing human-wildlife interactions can help reduce incidents and ensure both bears and people can coexist peacefully. For more information about California’s black bear population, you can check the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
