In a daring move, a nature enthusiast from South Lake Tahoe, California, took it upon himself to evict a big black bear that had decided to take up residence in a crawlspace under a house. Toogee Sielsch, known for his Instagram page filled with videos and photos of animal encounters in the area, specifically focuses on South Lake Tahoe's urbanized black bear population. On December 26, 2023, Sielsch recorded a video that showcased his unconventional eviction method.

The footage begins with Sielsch peering into the opening of the crawlspace, pointing a paintball gun inside. With determination, he crawls into the tight space on all fours, disappearing from view. Moments later, the distinct sound of the paintball gun echoes through the air as it fires off eight shots. Suddenly, a massive black bear bursts out from underneath the structure, startled by the barrage of paintball pellets. As the bear scurries away, Sielsch can be heard firing the paintball gun at least one more time. Expressing his relief, Sielsch affectionately calls the bear “B” and praises him as a good boy. Onlookers outside the house are astounded by the bear's size, exclaiming, "He's a big bear, oh my goodness."

Emerging from the crawlspace with a flashlight in hand, Sielsch estimates the bear's weight to be around 500 pounds. In an Instagram post, Sielsch shares both good news and tough love news. The good news is that he had found B33, a bear he hadn't seen since early November. However, the tough love news is that Sielsch had to evict B33 from under an occupied house. Assuring his followers that the bear is unharmed, Sielsch believes B33 will find a safer spot to spend the winter. He warns against attempting a similar eviction without proper training and experience.

Sielsch reveals that the bear's name, B33, originated from a previous encounter when the bear had a collar on its neck after being tagged. Over time, Sielsch and wildlife officials were able to remove the collar, ultimately saving the bear's life. Sielsch emphasizes the bond he has formed with B33, considering the bear one of his greatest mentors and muses in understanding bear behavior.

Sielsch's recent encounter with B33 is not an isolated incident. He performs approximately 30 bear evictions each year, offering his services free of charge. Sielsch's passion for protecting his community drives him to distribute electric bear mats after evictions. These mats, consisting of livestock fencing with electric voltage, help deter bears from returning to residential areas. Sielsch expresses his love for the community and considers this his way of giving back.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Sielsch clarifies that crawling under homes and using paintball guns are not his typical methods. He often resorts to shouting to coax bears to move. Sielsch emphasizes the importance of safety and warns against attempting such actions without proper training and experience.

Sielsch's encounter with B33 reflects a common occurrence in the area. As the local black bear population emerges from their urban dens, Sielsch captures their movements and behaviors on video. With his dedication to protecting both bears and the community, Sielsch continues to make a significant impact in South Lake Tahoe.