Harry and Meghan have been warned that their pet chickens are in danger after a bear attacked a nearby coop.
The black bear was caught on security cameras before slaying eight chickens belonging to neighbour Penelope Bianchi, 74.
She is now urging the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to be on guard.
The couple rescued eight chicks from a factory farm in their bid to live a “simple life” at their £11million mansion in California.
Pregnant Meghan showed off “Archie’s Chick Inn” – named after their two-year-old son – to Oprah Winfrey in their controversial interview in March, saying it was part of their effort to get “down to basics” after quitting royal duties.
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(Image: CBS)
Penelope, who lives next door to Oprah in Montecito, banged frying pans to scare away the bear before police arrived with non-lethal weapons.
The interior designer installed motion-sensor floodlights, sirens and cameras to deter it from returning after two raids this week.
(Image: instagram.com/penelopebianchi)
She said: “We were having dinner outdoors and heard the chickens making a commotion.
“It’s a good thing we were at home otherwise we’re sure the bear would have broken into the garage to finish off all the chickens.
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“It’s the first time this has happened in 40 years. Please, please Meghan and Harry, get these devices so your chickens are safe and the bear is safe.”
(Image: Getty)
Residents’ group The Montecito Association plan to meet to discuss “strategies” to stop the bear, nicknamed “Carlos”.
Last year locals called for it to be put down.
California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife said the bear was attracted by the smell of chickens.
A spokesman said of locals: “It’s not like they can’t afford fresh eggs but for some reason the folks there think they need a chicken coop.”
- ITV journalist Tom Bradby, a pal of the royals, says he felt “stuck in the middle” as the relationship between Princes William and Harry “slowly descended into something that was difficult, personally and publicly – really over the past year and a half”.
