Pasadena Authorities Monitored Bear and Cub

Police and animal control officials observed a mother bear and her cub near residential areas on Wednesday morning.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Wildlife

Bold vector editorial illustration of a bear and cub silhouetted against a low garden wall, representing residential wildlife observation. — Pasadena police and animal control officials monitored a mother bear and her cub on Wednesday after reports of the animals in residential neighborhoods. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Pasadena police and animal control responded to reports of a mother bear and her cub near Pine Bluff Drive and Riviera Drive. The pair was observed in the area after the cub was seen digging through a local trash can.

Why it matters

Authorities have expressed concern regarding the bears potentially entering residential neighborhoods. Officials are monitoring the pair to ensure they remain away from homes in the hillside area.

A mother bear and her cub were spotted at 10:26 a.m. near the intersection of Pine Bluff Drive and Riviera Drive. As of Wednesday afternoon, the animals remained in the local hillside area.

The players

Pasadena Police Department

The department is responsible for law enforcement and public safety within the city of Pasadena.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

This state agency manages the fish and wildlife resources of California and oversees human-wildlife conflict resolution.

The details

The animals were spotted after the cub was seen digging through a trash can and the mother was observed near a backyard pool. Pasadena police and animal control monitored the bears to keep them from approaching residential properties.

Wednesday, 10:26 a.m.: The bears were first spotted near the foothills.
Wednesday afternoon: The bears remained in the hillside area.

Culture Shift

This incident reflects the ongoing challenge of cohabitation in foothill communities where urban expansion intersects with native wildlife habitats. Wildlife management increasingly relies on monitoring animal behavior to prevent the habituation of bears to human food sources.

Residents in the Pine Bluff Drive and Riviera Drive area should secure all trash containers to avoid attracting local wildlife to their property. Officials urge the community to keep their distance and report any further sightings to the appropriate authorities.

The takeaway

Wildlife encounters often stem from bears seeking accessible food sources like residential trash cans. Keeping property clean and avoiding contact are the most effective ways for residents to safely coexist with local bears.