Junior’s daily routine includes entering his under-house refuge around 5:30 in the morning and departing late at night. The Nestlers, concerned for both their safety and Junior’s wellbeing, have taken steps to ensure he is treated humanely. They have equipped their yard with a motion-triggered camera, provided by California Fish and Wildlife, to monitor Junior’s movements without disturbing him.
The Nestlers’ main inconvenience from their large, furry neighbor is the significant amount of scat he leaves in the yard, though Susan remarks that it’s not too troublesome. Despite the unusual situation, the couple’s priority remains clear: they want Junior to be relocated safely without harm. They have specifically requested that wildlife officers avoid forceful measures like darting or using pepper bombs.
Currently, Junior remains in a crawl space beneath the house, a space only about five feet tall at its highest point. Wildlife officials are exploring humane options to safely capture and relocate him. The Nestlers’ experience highlights a broader interaction between urban areas and wildlife habitats, reminding us of the challenges and responsibilities we face in sharing our environments with wildlife.