UPDATED: This story was updated on Sept. 1, 2025 to include a PDF of the meeting Q&A. See below.
Topanga’s BB14: A Mama Bear Calls Topanga Home.
Meet BB14—also known by her tracking collar tag, Yellow 2291—the wild, wise mama bear who’s been making her way through the Santa Monica Mountains with her three adorable cubs. While BB14’s presence is both exciting and worrisome, it’s part of a much larger story—one that stretches from the earliest days of Southern California’s wilderness to the challenges and opportunities of living alongside bears today.
In a recent Topanga Town Council meeting, wildlife and environmental experts, shared fascinating insights into the history of bears in our region, from their near disappearance to their cautious return. They explained how BB14 is being tracked—mapping her travels through mountains, canyons, and neighborhoods—and what her patterns tell us about bear behavior, family dynamics, and seasonal survival strategies.
The discussion also tackled practical ways to coexist safely, including how to secure trash, protect pets, and reduce conflict while giving these animals the space they need. Through vivid stories, compelling visuals, and the latest data, the presentation opened a rare window into the secret life of one of Topanga’s newest and most talked-about residents.
🐻 Curious to see BB14’s journey and hear the experts tell her story? Watch the full Town Council meeting video below and step into the wild side of Topanga—you may never see our canyon the same way again.
You can also watch the video on YouTube to see time-stamped video chapters for the presentations.
Presenters:
- Introduction and overview of concerns about Mama Bear and her cubs – Susan Clark, COO of Topanga Animal Rescue; and Rosi Dagit, Senior Conservation Biologist for the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains
- History of bears in Santa Monica Mountains – Jeff Sikich, Wildlife Biologist, National Park Service (Manages fieldwork for the long-term Large Carnivore Study in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and surrounding region.)
- Yellow 2291/BB14 background, general bear biology/behavior, bear management and conflict prevention recommendations – Jessica West, Environmental Scientist, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (Currently involved in large mammal population monitoring and conservation projects.)
- Bear-proof trash can update – Stacy Sledge, Topanga Town Council; Steve Lee, Waste Management District Manager; Erick Quintero, Waste Management Senior Account Executive, and Kim Orht, Waste Management Leadership Team.
Meeting Q&A
Download a PDF of the Q&A compiled from the meeting. This document was last updated Sept. 1.
Be Bear Wise
Protect Yourself: In response to growing community interest, we are passing on compiled resources from California Dept of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) to help keep both the visiting bear and her three cubs safe, as well as ensure the safety of residents.
How to keep your property, pets and trash secure:
Download helpful Bear Safety Tips.
Download the Be Bear Wise at Home Checklist.
Download the Dog & Bears Tips.
Want to know more about Topanga’s famous bear?
Read last year’s detailed article about Yellow 2291/BB14, by Rosi Dagit, Principal Conservation Biologist of the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains.
Help CDFW keep track of BB14: Report all bear sightings to CDFW here.
The Town Council will be posting answers to any unanswered bear questions soon—check back for updates.