January 19, 2007—Sometimes it takes tough love to get a troublemaker in line. Especially when the irascible nuisance can weigh up to 600 pounds (270 kilograms) and sports razor-sharp teeth and claws.

Black bears across North America are becoming addicted to human comforts, from snacking on "junk food" found in garbage bins to sleeping in the crawl spaces under designer homes. Relocating problem bears can be difficult, and in many communities the animal invaders are routinely shot.

Catch some marauding bears in the act, and go on assignment with a volunteer in California who hopes that "hazing" bear house crashers will keep them away from humans and save them from an untimely end.