The story of Brian Gordon and Ricardo Martinez begins in Los Angeles, California, where they purchased a property in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, bordering the Angeles National Forest – a sprawling 700,000-acre expanse that stretches across Southern California. Initially, the couple were deeply apprehensive about black bears, recalling a childhood fear of encountering them in real life. When Gordon first learned of bears swimming in their pool, he initially envisioned a formidable defense, envisioning a towering wall of barbed wire. However, four years later, the situation transformed. Gordon, now a devoted admirer of his furry visitors, has embraced a more peaceful coexistence, documenting their daily lives with captivating videos of the bears playing in their pool. The couple’s house, nestled in Monrovia, is part of a region with a significant black bear population, estimated to be around 60,000, reflecting the area’s biodiversity. The early years were marked by frequent encounters, starting with yelling, air horns, and even a paintball gun, a practice that quickly proved ineffective, and ultimately, a source of comfort. They’ve since settled on less aggressive means of interaction, acknowledging the bears’ intelligence and adaptability. The couple’s mission is to foster a harmonious relationship with the animals, a delicate balance that has become deeply ingrained in their lives.
Gordon and Martinez, a veteran of the California black bear community, have meticulously crafted a routine. They’ve observed bears nearly immediately upon moving in, initially attempting to deter them by shouting, using air horns, and occasionally employing a paintball gun with soft rubber pellets. Despite their efforts, the bears often walked away, seemingly unfazed.
Their strategy has evolved from chasing to observation, noting that the bears tend to avoid areas where people leave food outdoors and keep their doors and windows closed. They’ve had a few memorable incidents, including bears raiding trash and entering homes, which has led to a petition signed by nearly 6,000 people, aimed at preventing euthanasia.
Black bears are increasingly visible in suburban Los Angeles, presenting challenges for local communities. Wilson Sherman, a research fellow at the University of California, Los Angeles, notes that bears are remarkably intelligent and adaptable, demonstrating how they’ve learned to obtain calories in areas where humans live. He points out that the bears’ spatial memory and tendency to return to familiar areas create a significant risk for public safety. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife emphasizes that relocation is a last resort, as bears are strong and can potentially return to their habitats. The couple’s experience includes a tragic case of Blondie, a mother black bear who died in March 2026 after swiping at a woman walking her dog in Monrovia.
To minimize conflict, Sherman recommends restricting access to attractants like trash bins and outdoor food, as well as maintaining a vigilant approach when they are around. The couple’s Instagram account, @poolbearlife, features videos of the bears, showcasing their interactions with the community. They’ve also actively sought to raise awareness of how people can behave safely around bears, emphasizing the importance of boundary setting.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife suggests a ‘collective training effort’ to mitigate unwanted encounters, stressing that bears and humans shouldn’t become overly comfortable. The couple’s relationship with black bears isn’t universal, as it’s a case of co-thriving with wildlife, and they are hypervigilant when they are around. They’ve learned to appreciate the bears’ intelligence and adaptability, viewing their relationship as a delicate balance.
Through their documented accounts and engagement with the community, the couple’s efforts are demonstrating the impact of wildlife encounters on local life. The bear’s story is a fascinating example of how humans and animals can coexist, even in a seemingly challenging environment. Sherman notes that the bears are individuals, not teddy bears, and that the focus should be on creating healthy boundaries to ensure the bears’ success in their environment.
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Source: BBC News
