Bears of Brooks River - A Photographic Guide to the Lives of Katmai's Brown Bears
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Katmai National Park and Preserve National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Bears of Brooks River
A Photographic Guide to the Lives of Katmai’s Brown Bears
Contents How to Use This Book:................................................................................................................................3 Chapter 1: Brooks Camp..............................................................................................................................4 Chapter 2: An Introduction to Brown Bears..............................................................................................7 Chapter 3: Adult Male Bears.....................................................................................................................12 Chapter 4: Adult Female Bears..................................................................................................................31 Chapter 5: Subadult Bears.........................................................................................................................46 Chapter 6: Cubs..........................................................................................................................................49 Chapter 7: Bears No Longer Seen at Brooks Camp..................................................................................50 Designed, written, and edited by Michael Fitz. A special thanks goes to Aaron Camire, Katja Mocnik, Tammy Olson, Jeanne Roy, and Roy Wood.
How To Use This Book
This book is intended to present the basic life histories and keep at least 50 yards (approximately 46 meters) away
identifying characteristics of some of the most frequently from bears, and all bears should be treated as wild animals
seen bears along Brooks River within Katmai National at all times. During a close or surprise encounter, never
Park. It is not intended to be a complete checklist of bears make decisions based on “knowing” a bear. The wildness
at Brooks River, but rather a representative sample. of these animals makes the Brooks Camp experience pos-
sible, not only for ourselves but for future generations.
Individual bears are difficult to identify, especially the first
few times you see them. The information in this book is In this book the bears are arranged first by age classifica-
drawn from thousands of hours of data collection, which tion and sex (adult males, adult females, subadults, and
was then used to document long term patterns of bear use cubs) and then numerically by the number biologists have
along the river. randomly assigned to them. Below is a sample page.
Many bears in this book have unofficial nicknames. Be-
ing able to identify or name a bear does not mean it has
stopped being a wild animal. At Brooks Camp people must
Number and Nickname Age Classification and Sex
Early and Mid-Summer Photos:
Look for shed patterns, scars, Bear 410 Four-Ton Adult Female
and less body fat.
Late Summer and Fall Photos:
Compare these with mid-sum-
mer photos noting the differ-
ences in fur color and overall
July 2010 Sept. 2010
size.
Photo Date
July 2002 Sept. 2008 Sept. 2009
In the ID Marks and Hints sec- ID Marks #410 is a large adult female. Her coat is medium
brown with a grizzled appearance on her head
tion, read about a bear’s body and Hints and neck.
shape, size, color, scars and She has a recognizable dished-shaped face and
prominent muzzle. Her claws are dark, and she
wounds, shed patterns, ear lacks distinctive scars.
shape, and claw color.
The Life History section pres- Life History #410 is one of the largest females frequenting
the Brooks River and fishes almost anywhere.
She is arguably the most human habituated
bear to be found using the Brooks River, even
ents a bear’s estimated age She has been observed fishing in Naknek Lake, while caring for cubs.
the lower Brooks River, and both above and
(if known), behavioral traits, below the falls. #410 has been observed with people and heavy
equipment operating within 15 meters. She will
preferred fishing spots, fishing In 2007, she returned with two spring cubs, sleep on the trail near the bridge and in front of
techniques, and other informa- marking her third litter. She returned to the
Brooks River Area in 2008 with the same two
or underneath the wildlife viewing platforms,
even with many people standing directly above.
tion. cubs, then yearlings, but lost one in early July. She may tree her cubs near the viewing plat-
forms while she fishes.
32
3
Chapter 1: Brooks Camp
Sockeye salmon drive Katmai’s ecosystem. At Brooks Camp, bear activity is dependent on salmon.
Salmon and the Brooks River
The rivers, lakes, and streams of Bristol Bay host the clos- progresses and gives way to fall, the salmon slowly weaken
ing acts of an epic migration, one of the largest on Earth. and die.
Each summer tens of millions of sockeye salmon leave
the open waters of the North Pacific, driven to return to The eggs they leave behind lay in the redd for about four
the exact spawning grounds in which they were hatched months. After hatching, the tiny alevin remain in the gravel
years earlier. For several hundred thousand salmon the until spring. When large enough, young salmon fry move
path leads up Brooks River, past one of the world’s highest from the rivers to the lakes, where they live two years. In
concentrations of brown bears. the next phase, salmon smolt migrate to the ocean.
Shortly after each summer solstice, sockeye salmon begin The salmon feast in the North Pacific for two addi-
arriving at Brooks Camp. After leaving Bristol Bay, they tional years. There they grow into the large, beautiful, but
swim up Naknek River, into Naknek Lake, and reach doomed fish who return in their fourth or fifth year to
Brooks River. This is the final stop for some fish; here they produce the next generation of sockeyes.
will spawn and die. For others, the voyage is not quite over.
Their destination lies beyond Brooks River, in the small Unintentionally, some fish become meals for the larg-
streams and creeks feeding into Lake Brooks. est carnivore in North America: the brown bear. Due to
As they approach their spawning grounds, sockeye salmon Brooks Falls, the river is among the first places where mi-
reach sexual maturity. Their silver color disappears, re- grating salmon become vulnerable; this makes the area an
placed by red-colored bodies and green heads. Male’s jaws important food source for the lean bears of early summer.
become hooked, and both sexes develop teeth. Later, in the fall, the spawned-out salmon play an impor-
tant role in the bears’ preparation for winter before they
Using their tails, female sockeye excavate nest sites in the enter the den.
river bottom. When a male approaches, she releases eggs
over her nest site. The male fertilizes the eggs with milt, How, where, and when bears fish along the river depends
and the female buries them in the gravel. Once spawning on many factors such as the time of year, salmon density,
is completed, a female will defend her redd as long as she locations of spawning activity, the age and relative position
can; males play no role beyond fertilizing eggs. of the bear within its social hierarchy, and its preferred fish-
ing techniques.
Spawned salmon are on borrowed time. Their life purpose
complete, they will never return to the ocean. As summer
4
The Brooks River
Because it is one of the first streams in the region where The time of year along with salmon densities and spawning
bright, energetic, and pre-spawned salmon are available to activity dictate when, where, and how bears feed along the
bears, the Brooks River hosts one of the greatest seasonal river.
concentrations of brown bears anywhere on earth.
The cut bank provides a fishing area for bears In July, the riffles area below Brooks Falls is
that are less tolerant of people. fished most often by less dominant bears and
females with offspring.
Naknek Lake and Lake Brooks and
the river’s outlet Brooks Camp the river’s start
Panorama of Brooks River
During late summer and fall, bears usually con- Early in the salmon run, Brooks Falls creates a
centrate in the lower half of the Brooks River. temporary barrier to migrating salmon. This
At this time, bears are primarily fishing for dead results in a particularly successful fishing spot
and dying salmon. for bears.
At left, just beyond the Less dominant bears often Downstream to
photo is the Fish Ladder. wait for their opportunity the Riffles and
to fish the most preferred Naknek Lake
spots.
Lip Jacuzzi Far Pool
View of Brooks Falls
from the Falls Platform
5
Bear Safety at Brooks Camp
For many people, a trip to Brooks Camp is a once in-a- consume food and drinks (besides water) while outside,
lifetime experience. To protect that experience for future except in designated picnic areas.
generations, the National Park Service requires all arriving
visitors to attend a 20 minute bear orientation. This “bear By following these rules, we prevent bears from learning
school” teaches visitors how to behave in ways protecting behaviors that will lead them into conflicts with humans.
both themselves and bears. The most important things Other things to consider while visiting Brooks Camp:
people should do include:
• Bears have the right of way! If you encounter a bear, you
• Keeping an appropriate distance between themselves and should give it the space it needs to continue fishing, walk-
bears. People must stay at least 50 yards (~46 meters) away ing, or sleeping. At times, bears may block access to areas
from all bears in the Brooks Camp area. such as the viewing platforms. Pack your patience and
remember the bears’ freedom is what makes Brooks Camp
• Preventing bears from associating human gear with play an exciting destination.
items. While at Brooks Camp, any items brought outdoors
must be within arm’s reach at all times. • Peak bear viewing seasons occur in July and September.
Relatively few bears use the Brooks River area in June and
• Preventing bears from obtaining human food and gar- August. During these months, there may be days when no
bage. At Brooks Camp, people are not allowed to carry or bears appear along the river.
The Brooks River connects the waters of Lake Brooks to Naknek Lake. The mouth of the river at Naknek Lake can change dramatically from year
to year, and no longer looks like the map suggests.
6
An Introduction to Brown Bears
Brown bears have access to coastal Look for a prominent shoulder
food sources like salmon hump and dish-shaped face
Fur color ranges from blonde to
brown (middle) to dark brown (right)
ID Marks When visually identifying brown bears, there are Polar bears and black bears also lack the promi-
and Hints several key things to look for. Brown bears usu- nent shoulder hump found on brown bears. This
ally have a rounded and dish-shaped face, unlike hump is a mass of muscle thought to be useful
the faces of black or polar bears that usually have while the bear digs for roots and other food
a more “Roman” nose profile. sources.
The fur of brown bears range from blonde to There are also distinct differences in the foot-
dark brown. As a general rule, their coats tend to prints of brown, polar, and black bears. Consult
darken with age and the season. a good field guide for an explanation of this.
Life History The only bears to regularly inhabit Katmai Na- course of the spring, summer, and fall to sustain
tional Park and Preserve are brown bears. them through their denning period.
Taxonomists currently consider brown bears Hearing and vision is estimated to be equivalent
and grizzly bears to be the same species and to humans, but a bear’s sense of smell, which is
the difference between the two is somewhat many times better than a dog’s, sets them apart.
arbitrary. In North America, brown bears are Bears use scent to communicate everything
distinguished by their access to coastal food from dominance to their presence in an area to
sources such as runs of salmon, while grizzlies receptivity to mating.
reside further inland.
A wild brown bear’s average life span is 20 years,
Bears are eating machines, and their survival is although bears over thirty years of age have been
dependent on attaining enough calories over the documented.
7
How Many Bears Frequent Brooks River?
Katmai National Park and Preserve National Park Service
Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve U.S. Department of the Interior
Alagnak Wild River
During late June through July the annual cumulative total • Salmon runs have been generally strong throughout the
Brooks River Bears Quick Facts
number of independent bears identified regularly using region during the past 20 years. In the Naknek River water-
Brooks River during 2004-2008 ` has ranged from 43 to 70. shed, which includes Brooks River, the Alaska Department
During September through early October, the annual cu- of Fish and Game has reported a 20 year average escape-
mulative total has ranged from 45 to 59. Typically, another How many bears frequent Brooks River? ment of 1.8 million fish (1989–2008). During this same
5 to 10 transient bears have also been documented in each period, weather conditions have been relatively mild. Bear
of the two monitoring periods During
annually. There
late June throughare
Julyseveral
the annual survival
75
and productivity may
Brooks River: July have
Bear increased
Age-Sex as a result.
Composition
cumulative total number of independent 70
factors that may be related to the increasing
bears trend
identified regularly in Brooks
using bear 65
River over the past five years has ranged Subadults
numbers at Brooks, including: from 43 to 70. During September through • Brooks
60 River isSingle
Unclassified one of the first streams in Katmai where
Adult Females with Older Offspring
early October, the annual cumulative total
has ranged from 45 to 59. Typically, migrating
55 salmon become
Adult Females with Cubs
Adult Females, Single accessible to bears (and the
Adult Males
another 5 to 10 transient bears have also 50
• Over the past 20 years, increasing management empha- caloric value of bright
Dependent Offspring pre-spawned salmon is exception-
Number of Bears
been documented in each of the two 45
ark and Preserve sis has been placed on minimizing bear-human
monitoring
National periods
Park conflicts.
annually.
Service ally40high). In contrast, spawning and spawned-out salmon
l Monument and Preserve U.S. Department of the Interior
r Over their lives, the experienceThere
of cubs thatfactors
are several accompanied
that may be are35available at several streams during fall. Differences in
related to the increasing trend in bear
their mothers to Brooks may consist largely of relatively
numbers at Brooks, including: adult
30 male representation between July and fall may in part
25
benign contacts with people there. Thus, we would expect reflect this seasonal distribution of resources.
ks River Bears Quick Facts
Over the past 20 years, increasing 20
the number and proportion of adults tolerant
management of people
emphasis to
has been placed
15
on minimizing bear-human conflicts.
increase. Over their lives, the experience of cubs 10
that accompanied their mothers to
many bears frequent Brooks River?
5
Brooks may consist largely of relatively
Below: Trends in bear composition documented at Brooks River through observational
benign contacts with people there. 0
sampling methods. Bears included in these figures were
observed using the river during at leastThus,
threeweseparate sampling
would expect sessions.
the number and 1988 1989 1990 1991 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
proportion of adults tolerant of people Year
rough July the annual 75 75
to increase.
Brooks River: July Bear Age-Sex Composition Brooks River: Fall Bear Age-Sex Composition
umber of independent 70 70
gularly using Brooks Salmon runs have been generally strong
65 throughout the region during the past 65
five years has ranged Subadults Subadult
ing September through 60
Unclassified Single 20 years. In the Naknek Drainage, 60 Unclassified Single
Adult Females with Older Offspring Adult Female with Older Offspring
annual cumulative total Adult Females with Cubs which includes Brooks River, the Alaska
55 55 Adult Female with Cubs
5 to 59. Typically, Adult Females, Single Department of Fish and Game has Adult Female, Single
Adult Males reported a 20-year average escapement 50 Adult Male
nsient bears have also 50
Dependent Offspring Dependent Offspring
Number of Bears
of 1.8 million fish (1989–2008). During
Number of Bears
in each of the two 45 45
s annually. this same period, weather conditions
40 have been relatively mild. Bear survival 40
actors that may be 35 and productivity may have increased as 35
asing trend in bear a result.
30 30
, including:
Brooks River is one of the first streams
25 25
in Katmai where migrating salmon
0 years, increasing 20 become accessible to bears (and the 20
mphasis has been placed caloric value of bright pre-spawned
bear-human conflicts. 15 15
salmon is exceptionally high). In
, the experience of cubs 10 contrast, spawning and spawned-out 10
ed their mothers to salmon are available at several streams
5 5
nsist largely of relatively during fall. Differences in adult male
s with people there. 0
representation between July and fall
0
d expect the number and 1988 1989 1990 1991 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
dults tolerant of people Yearmay in part reflect this seasonal Year
75 distribution of resources. Trends in bear composition documented at Brooks River through observational sampling
Brooks River: Fall Bear Age-Sex Composition
Here Today, Gone Tomorrow: Seasonal Bear Use at Brooks
70 methods. Bears included in these figures were observed using the river during at least
ve been generally strong three separate sampling sessions.
region during the past 65
Subadult
Naknek Drainage, 60 Unclassified Single
Brooks River, the Alaska Rangers
55
and biologists are frequently asked,
Brooks River “Where
Bears Quick
Adult Female with Cubs
are 5
Facts • Number
Adult Female with Older Offspring
Fish and Game has Adult Female, Single
ear average escapement the50bears?” The answer depends on the season, but finding
Adult Male
Dependent Offspring
sh (1989–2008). During
Number of Bears
d, weather conditions
the45answer is as simple as knowing where the bears are
40
vely mild. Bear survival finding food.
y may have increased as 35
30
one of the first streams In the
25 spring, very few bears can be seen in the Brooks
e migrating salmon
ble to bears (and the Camp20 area. With no high calorie food sources in the area,
bright pre-spawned
tionally high). In like15adult salmon, bears are dispersed throughout the re-
ning and spawned-out 10
gion5 grazing on grass and sedge, hunting moose calves, and This view of Brooks Falls and the Falls platform was taken in May.
lable at several streams
ferences in adult male
Bears are not commonly seen at Brooks Falls in certain seasons.
between July and fall
competing
0 for mates.
1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
ect this seasonal Year earlier than in the Brooks River. Consequently, few bears
resources. Trends in bear composition documented at Brooks River through observational sampling
In late June, salmon being to migrate into the Brooks River.
methods. Bears included in these figures were observed using the river during at least are found at Brooks Camp during much of August. For the
three separate sampling sessions.
That’s when bears begin to arrive en masse to fish for bears, salmon fishing is easier in other places.
Quick Facts • Number 5
salmon at Brooks Falls. Bears are typically seen fishing at
Brooks Falls throughout July. Once the salmon begin to spawn and die in the Brooks
River, many bears will fish here in September and October.
In mid summer, bears will follow the migrating salmon to These patterns of use reflect the bears’ adaptability that
many streams and rivers in the area where the fish spawn helps them survive seasons of abundance and famine.
8
Do the same bears return to Brooks River
each year?
Yes. Typically many of the bears that
are observed each year are recognized
from previous study years.
For example, in 2008, 59 of the 70
independent bears identified regularly
using Brooks River during July were
bears recognized from previous years,
as were 35 of the 52 independent
bears identified regularly using the
river during fall. The majority of bears
not recognized during both July and
the fall were subadults. Recognizing
bears from year to year is difficult;
therefore, these figures should be
considered minimum estimates.
A number of bears are also typically
recognized each year between the July
and fall (late August into October) pe- Bear #409, an adult female, in July (top) and Bear #747, an adult male, in July (top) and
September (bottom) 2011. September (bottom) 2012.
riods of bear use at Brooks. However,
it should be noted that recognizing periods. Our minimum estimate of Brooks River during June-July and fall
bears between these periods within a independent bears that were seen of 2005–2007 may provide additional
single year tends to be more difficult at Brooks River during both July insight regarding patterns of use by
than recognizing animals across years and the fall of 2008 is 36. Analysis of individual bears.
within the July or the fall bear use DNA samples collected from bears at
Monitoring Bear Use of Brooks River
Observational sampling methods produce balanced sampling by time Photo records are maintained for as
are used to record data on bear and of day and sample zone. Arrival and many different individuals as possible.
human use of Brooks River, so that departure times are recorded for each The photo records are an important
the following parameters may be individual bear seen during an obser- aspect of recognizing individual bears
compared between seasons and vation session, and counts of people across seasons and years, particularly
among years: (1) bear numbers, (2) and behavior of each bear in view are when several biologists are involved in
bear activity rates by age-sex class and recorded at 10 minute intervals. In data collection.
individual, (3) age-sex and behavioral addition, fish caught and time spent
class composition of bears seen, (4) fishing is recorded for a subsample of
bear “arrival” dates, (5) bear fish the bears seen.
capture rates, and (6) relative bear
and human use of observation zones Records of identifying characteristics
below Brooks Falls. of individual bears are maintained,
and each bear identified is assigned
The river from Brooks Falls down a unique identification number. The
to the river mouth on Naknek Lake age-sex class of each bear is also re-
is divided into several observation corded. Age classification is a subjec-
zones for data collection. Sampling tive determination, based primarily
is conducted from the public view- on size and behavior (and often on
ing platforms at the Falls and near the documented identification history
the floating bridge, as well as from of the bear). Sex is determined by
a tree-stand in the cut bank area. observation of urination, posture, Biological Technician Katja Mocnik conducts a
Observation sessions are scheduled to genitalia, or presence of offspring. sampling session at Brooks River.
9
Hibernation in Bears
One remarkable adaptation that has evolved in some mam- ing the previous summer and fall. Bears do not eat, drink,
mals is hibernation. Hibernation is a state of dormancy that urinate, or defecate while in the den. Fat is metabolized
allows animals to avoid periods of famine. It takes many to produce water and food, but instead of defecating or
forms in mammals, but is particularly remarkable in bears. urinating to eliminate waste, bears recycle it. Their kidneys
shut down almost completely and urea, a major compo-
In the Katmai region, most bears go to their den and begin nent of urine, is recycled into proteins that maintain a
hibernation in October and November. Hibernation in bear’s muscle mass and organ tissues. Without the ability to
bears is most likely triggered by a shortage of high calorie recycle urea, ammonia would build up to toxic levels and
food as well as hormonal changes. After a summer and fall poison the animal. Since they are living off of their stored
spent gorging on food, a bear’s physiology and metabolism body fat, bears also have very high levels of cholesterol in
shifts in rather incredible ways to help them survive several their blood. Remarkably, healthy bears emerge from hiber-
months without food or water. nation in the spring without losing muscle mass and bone
density, or suffering from hardening of the arteries.
When hibernating, a bear’s body temperature remains
above 88˚F (31°C), not much lower than their normal body Can the abilities of a hibernating bear help people in the
temperature of 100˚F (37.7°C). This is unlike other hiber- future? Perhaps. If we can unlock the physiological secrets
nating mammals such as ground squirrels whose body of a hibernating bear, then we may be able to find new ways
temperature drops close to freezing. A bear’s heart and to treat kidney, heart, and bone diseases. We also might be
respiratory rates, however, drop dramatically. They average able to more safely send humans on long distance space
only 1 breath per minute with a heart rate of 8-10 beats per expeditions if we can find a way to hibernate like a bear.
minute in hibernation.
In the depths of winter, when Katmai’s landscape is cov-
They still need to burn many calories per day while hiber- ered in snow and ice and the wind is howling fiercely, bears
nating—sometimes more than 4000 calories per day. When are nestled snug in their dens and sleep soundly. They feel
they emerge from their dens in the spring, bears have lost no thirst or hunger at this time. Bears are survivors with a
up to 33% of their body weight. Lactating females can lose very special adaptation—hibernation—that allows them to
even more weight. survive harsh wintertime conditions and famine remark-
ably well.
Surviving a winter without food or water requires fuel, and
a bear fuels its body on the fat reserves it acquired dur-
In Katmai, bear dens tend to be concentrated on well drained, steep slopes that collect a lot of snow. This den on Dumpling Mountain was exca-
vated 6 feet (1.82 meters) into the mountain side. The hiking poles to the left of the bear den are 3.94 feet (120 cm) long.
10Death of a Bear
Wild bears are subjected to many risks during their lives. in the spring, six died in the summer, and four died in the
Starvation, spring time avalanches, illness, injury, and fall. During that same study period, one adult male and
predation are just some of the reasons that bears may die. subadult male were found dead and both appeared to have
Outside the boundaries of Katmai National Park, bears been killed by other bears.
can be hunted for sport and subsistence, and humans are
significant cause of mortality for bears in many areas of the While brown bears can live more than 30 years, they com-
world. In contrast, Katmai National Park is one of the few monly live 20 years or less. Most bears, however, live short
places where the population of brown bears is naturally lives. While Katmai may have some of the highest densities
regulated. of bears in the world, it also has one of the highest mortal-
ity rates for cubs. Two out of three cubs may not survive
Dead bears are rarely found in the wild. Even in Katmai, a their first year.
place with some of the highest densities of bears anywhere
in the world, rangers and biologists rarely see a bear die or From 1989-1996, 99 cubs from 48 litters were tracked via
find dead bears. Still, the information gathered by biologists different radiocollared females. 61 of those cubs were lost,
in the past that can help us glean some knowledge about including 11 mothers, indicating that the survival rate of
the end of a bear’s life. females with cubs is lower than single females. This is a
very low (0.342) survival rate for cubs, one of the lowest
Around the Brooks River, bears have been seen killing ever measured in North America.
other bears, like subadults and cubs, on rare occasions and
in 2008 one bear was observed dying in the Brooks River Katmai’s bears live in an unforgiving world, and it can be
(see bear #219 on page 54). hard to watch an adult bear or cub die. As wild animals,
they receive no veterinary care or preventative medicine.
One study on the Pacific coast of Katmai recorded 17 Bears have evolved to bear tough and resourceful animals,
natural mortalities of female bears from 1989-1996. Eight but their lives do come to an end, sometimes peacefully
of those 17 adult females were killed by other bears. One and sometimes painfully.
female apparently died of starvation and one died after
being caught in a spring time avalanche. Six females died
This dead bear was found on the slopes of Mount Katolinat. In Katmai, one of the main natural causes of bear mortality is other bears. This bear
was apparently fed upon by other bears, but the true cause of its death remains unknown.
11Adult Males
#219 in July 2007. Note #218 in
the numerous scars. Sept. 2012
#868 in July #856 in July #489 in
2011 2012 Sept. 2012
ID Marks The largest bears frequenting the Brooks River of adult bears by watching them urinate. Male
and Hints are adult males, also called boars. Like full bears will urinate straight down between their
grown adult females, their bodies appear filled hind legs.
in, their heads appear smaller in proportion to
their bodies, and their ears are generally wide- When male bears are shedding in the early sum-
set. mer, numerous scars are often visible.
Looking for genitalia is the easiest way to identify
male bears, but you can also determine the sex
Life History Due to their large size and strength, no other these animals from entering into violent battles.
class of brown bear is able to compete physically Wounds, and their associated scars, are often
with a large adult male. received during fights with other males. These
fights can be the result of competition for food
They can stand 3-5 feet (.9-1.5 m) at the shoul- resources (access or appropriation) or for the
der and measure 7-10 (2.1-3 m) feet in length. opportunity to mate with females.
Most adult males typically weigh 600-900
pounds (272-408 kg) in mid-summer. By Octo-
ber and November, large adult males can weigh
well over 1000 pounds (454 kg).
The best fishing spots at Brooks Falls are domi-
nated by adult males. Hierarchy and displays of
dominance play important roles in preventing
12Bear 32 Chunk Adult Male
July 2012 Sept. 2013
July 2007 July 2010 Sept. 2011
ID Marks #32 is young, medium sized male. His coat is
and Hints medium brown and he has darker spots around
his neck and shoulder. A scar above his right eye,
as well as his large hindquarters, are distinctive
features.
Life History #32 was first identified as a sub-adult in 2007,
and has since reached adulthood. He remains
subordinate to most other adult bears, and is
often begging or scavenging fish scraps. When
fishing, he often stands up to get a better view.
He fishes at the falls and the lower river. He was
one of the few bears in the Brooks Camp area
during June 2012 and June 2013. During this
time he appeared to be courting females, like
#130, in the area.
13Bear 45 Tatonka Adult Male
July 2012 July 2012
July 2008 July 2010 July 2010
ID Marks #45 is an adult male with a medium brown coat.
and Hints He is most recognizable by his sloping body
shape, which gives him the appearance of having
shorter hind legs than most bears. He also has
a distinct face, characterized by closely spaced
eyes and a short, upturned muzzle.
Life History First observed as an adult in 2007, #45 is a regu-
lar visitor to Brooks Falls during July, but he has
never been seen in the fall.
He is usually seen moving back and forth be-
tween the falls and the riffles, and his behavior
suggests that he is intolerant of bear viewers and
anglers.
14Bear 51 Diver Junior Adult Male
July 2012 Sept. 2012
July 2007 July 2008 Sept. 2011
ID Marks #51 is an adult male with large, oval ears and a
and Hints blonde coat. He has a long muzzle that tapers
nearly into his forehead. In 2011, he received a
deep wound to his left hip that may be visible as
a scar during shedding.
Life History Although #51 is nicknamed Diver Junior, there
is no known relation between this bear and the
famous Diver, who was last seen in 2000. #51
is one of the few bears who dive completely
underwater when fishing. He was first classified
as a subadult bear in 2007.
#51 can be seen walking below the Falls Plat-
form to and from the fish ladder. He commonly
fishes the far pool on the north side of the falls.
15Bear 83 Wayne Brother Adult Male
July 2013 Oct. 2011
June 2008 July 2010 July 2011
ID Marks #83 has a medium-large body with a light brown
and Hints coat and dark eye rings. He lacks prominent
scars but has some on his head and neck. In July
a round whitish scar may be visible on the left
side of his face.
Life History #83 is a young male first classified as an adult in In 2012 he arrived at Brooks Camp with a large,
2008. This is another adult bear that matured round wound to his right shoulder. This wound
along the Brooks River. He is the offspring of was deep enough to expose the muscle under-
#438 and the sibling of #868. neath. It should result in a distinct scar.
Even though #83 and #868 undoubtedly shared
many of the same learning experiences as cubs,
they differ in their fishing styles. In July, he can
be seen fishing below Brooks Falls in the jacuzzi
and the far pool. In contrast, his sibling #868 is
often seen fishing the lip. In the fall, #83 fishes
the cut bank and lower river like most bears. In
July 2013, #83 was also a more dominant bear at
the falls than his sibling.
16Bear 89 Backpack Adult Male
July 2012 Sept. 2012
#89 as a yearling cub
June 2009 in Sept. 2007. Sept. 2010
ID Marks #89 is a medium sized young adult bear. He has
and Hints a distinctive face with dark, round eye-rings and
a straight muzzle. His coat is usually very blonde,
but it does darken in the fall.
Life History As a cub, #89 was very recognizable and as a at Brooks Falls near much larger bears that toler-
result he is one of the few bears whose mother is ated his presence.
known. Born in 2006, he is the offspring of #435
and was first observed as an independent bear As a yearling cub in 2007, his right front leg
in 2008. was obviously injured and he limped notice-
ably throughout the summer. Remarkably, by
He seems tolerant of other bears, even at Brooks the early fall, his leg appeared to be healed. The
Falls. He will fish at Brooks Falls in July, but is injury was not noticeable in 2008, which was
usually displaced by larger, more mature males. his first summer as an independent bear. This is
#89 will scavenge fish from older bears. another example of the resilient nature of bears
and their ability to persevere through significant
However, he has grown significantly since 2008 injuries.
and likely will grow much more as he continues
to mature. In July 2013, he would regularly fish
17Bear 92 Enigma Adult Male
July 2012 July 2012
July 2008 July 2011 July 2011
ID Marks #92 is a medium large, long bodied male who
and Hints has a uniform light brown coat, tan claws, dark
eye rings, and a slight lip droop. His ears are
blonde and triangular.
Life History #92 was first classified as an adult male in 2008. When people are present at Brooks Falls, he
He is not habituated to the presence of people, rarely approaches the platform side of the river.
and visitors should not expect to see him very It is important to give bears like #92 the oppor-
often. He will fish at Brooks Falls but is rarely tunity to feed in the absence of people. This is
present when people are on the Falls Platform. the primary reason for the seasonal, nighttime
He also appears to avoid other bears, but has closure of the Falls Platform and boardwalk.
been observed stealing fish.
He not been observed in the fall.
Many bears using Brooks River show some level
of habituation towards humans, but some like
#92 do not. This bear has been observed react-
ing to loud noises or sudden movements from
people on the Falls Platform.
18Bear 218 Ugly Adult Male
July 2012 Sept. 2012
July 2002 July 2011 Sept. 2009
ID Marks #218 is a medium large bear with a dark blonde In late September 2010, he had a large wound
and Hints coat that is lighter towards his head. When on his left rear leg. In 2011 he had a large, round
shedding, his coat will be patchy with dark, bare scar in this area.
spots. He has blonde, wide-set ears.
His dark eyes contrast with his coat and #218
has a short blocky nose. He lacks distinctive
scars, but can have numerous small ones. His
claws are dark.
Life History #218 uses some of the most efficient fishing He is responsible for the 2007 scar on #489’s left
techniques at Brooks Falls. He has been ob- hip.
served fishing successfully almost anywhere, but
seems to prefer fishing the lip and in the jacuzzi. This bear seems to be in the prime of his life.
In 2009 he arrived at Brooks Falls with numer-
After catching many fish, he will often eat only ous, small wounds presumably received while
the fattiest, most calorie rich parts of the fish fighting other bears. Few other bears can now
(brains, roe, skin) and leave the carcass for displace him from his preferred fishing spots.
scavenging bears and other animals. When first
described as a young adult male in 2001, he
fished anywhere he could fit in, but was eas-
ily displaced by larger bears. More recently he
has become one of the more dominant bears at
Brooks Falls.
19Bear 274 Overflow Adult Male
July 2012 Sept. 2012
July 2011 July 2011 Sept. 2012
ID Marks #274 is a young adult male. He is large for his
and Hints age, and has long legs. His coat is blonde but
quickly sheds out, leaving a dark brown color in
its place expect for a golden crown along the top
of his head and ears.
He is believed to be the offspring of #438.
Life History Classified as a 4.5 year old subadult in 2011, picked it up, and ran quickly down river before
#274 appears more confident around larger the dominant boar turned around.
adults than other bears his age, often approach-
ing them much closer than other young bears
would dare.
He has attempted to fish the lip, fish ladder, and
jacuzzi, but appears to be too inexperienced to
have much success. He has had more success
fishing at the riffles and by scavenging scraps
from other bears. In one notable moment, he
managed to steal a fish from #856 when that
bear confronted another male. Seeing that #856
had left his fish unattended, #274 swooped in,
20Bear 469 Adult Male
July 2013 Sept. 2012
July 2013 Sept. 2006 Sept. 2010
ID Marks 469 is a medium-large male bear. His claws are
and Hints dark and he has short, round, ears. His muzzle is
blocky and straight.
#469’s coat is brown. His most distinctive fea-
ture is a blonde, diamond shaped patch of fur on
his left shoulder.
Life History #469 was first observed in 2001 and was classi- It is unknown why this bear changed his habits.
fied as an adult bear at that time. From 2001- When #469 arrived in 2013, he was limping and
2011 he was an irregular user of the Brooks would not place any weight on his left hind leg.
River and only in the fall. When he was seen in This injury may have reduced his ability to find
the fall, he would fish the lower Brooks River food elsewhere, or he may have just discovered
and in Naknek Lake, but he was usually only the fishing opportunities at Brooks Falls in July.
seen in the morning and would leave the area
when human activity increased. This indicates Whatever the reason, #469 modified his be-
that #469 is not tolerant of people. havior to fish at Brooks Falls. Bears, even older
bears, are able to shift their habits and behaviors
In 2013, this pattern was broken and he was seen when it is necessary for survival.
fishing regularly at Brooks Falls for the first time
in July, even when large numbers of people were This bear was also seen guarding a bear carcass
watching from the Falls Platform. in October 2012. It is unknown whether or not
#469 killed the other bear.
21Bear 480 Otis Adult Male
July 2013 Sept. 2013
July 2006 Oct. 2002 Sept. 2009
ID Marks #480 has a dark blonde coat, tan tipped claws,
and Hints and some scars on both sides of his neck. His
ears are wide set and his right ear is floppy. His
muzzle is long, straight, and narrow. In 2013 he
had a prominent scar above his right eye.
In the fall months, his body is walrus-shaped and
he has a relatively thick, wrinkled neck.
Life History #480 was first classified as an older subadult Despite the fact that #480 is neither as large nor
bear in 2001. He, along with #218, uses some of aggressive as other male bears, he was rarely
the most efficient fishing techniques at the falls. displaced from his preferred fishing spot in the
He prefers the jacuzzi, but unlike many other jacuzzi. However in recent years, other mature
bears, he is often tolerant of numerous other males have surpassed him in size. As a result,
bears around him while he eats. These bears wait #480 has slipped down the bear hierarchy. Bears
patiently for him to finish and eat any leftover like #747 and #856 will now regularly displace
scraps. him from his preferred fishing spots.
In recent years he is one of the few bears that
can successfully fish at Brooks Falls in Septem-
ber. Late in the season, he is often seen fishing
the far pool.
22Bear 489 Ted Adult Male
July 2013 Sept. 2012
Sept. 2002 Aug. 2007 Oct. 2007
ID Marks #489 is easily recognizable because of his large, His ears are large, upright and triangle shaped.
and Hints distinctive scar on his left hip. His nickname, Ted, is short for “triangle-eared.”
This is a medium-large bear. His coat is light
brown and often patchy when shedding, but is
darker in September. He has a slightly drooping
lower lip, dark eye rings, and dark claws.
Life History Bear #489 was classified as a subadult when first entered Brooks Camp, something most adult
identified in 2001 and has grown into a mature males do not do regularly.
adult since then.
#489 often begs fish from other bears, some-
In 2007, he received a wound on his left hip times very vocally. He is one of the few adult
during a brief altercation with #218. While the bears to show this behavior. Other bears will not
wound he received looked vicious, it has since give #489 fish, but this technique does put him in
healed and scarred over, and is this bear’s most a good position to access discarded fish remains.
identifiable mark. This is yet another example of
a bear’s remarkable ability to heal.
Through 2008-2013 he was one of the very few
bears regularly seen fishing the river in mid-
August. During these periods he has repeatedly
23Bear 634 Popeye Adult Male
July 2011 Sept. 2010
July 2003 July 2007 Sept. 2006
ID Marks This bear has a medium-large body with large
and Hints (furry) and dark forearms. His coat is brown,
grizzled, and generally uniform with blondish
ears.
#634’s muzzle is short and upturned. He lacks
distinctive scars.
Life History Bear #634 was classified as a subadult in 2002
and then as an adult in 2003. In May of 2004 he
appeared on the beach at Brooks Camp with
a severe limp. He would not place any weight
on the injured leg. Now, however, no apparent
injury can be seen.
He fishes the far pool and the lip of the falls.
#634 will aggressively steal fish from smaller
bears, especially early in the salmon run. He
occasionally wanders through the lower Brooks
River area, including through camp. This is one
bear that may be seen near Brooks Camp in May
and early June.
24Bear 747 Adult Male
July 2013 Sept. 2013
July 2010 July 2004 Sept. 2012
ID Marks #747 is a large adult male with a medium brown a short muzzle, and a large, stocky, and squat
and Hints coat with reddish shoulders. Early in the sum- body.
mer, his fur regularly sheds out in a erratic
pattern and he often has a noticeable shed patch
on his forehead. During the fall months, his fur
is dark brown.
His ears are round and peg-like, and his face
has prominent brow ridge. He has dark claws,
Life History First classified as a subadult in 2004, #747 is Since 2007, he has noticeably grown in size and
now considered an adult bear. He is successful as a result is not easily displaced from his favorite
at fishing and is a regular visitor to Brooks Falls fishing spots below Brooks Falls. He is now one
in July. He also fishes the falls in September and of the most dominant and largest bears fishing
October. on the river.
#747 does not appear to be wary of people on He was badly clawed during several fights in
the viewing platforms near Brooks Falls, and in 2012. The resulting wounds may result in scars.
2013 was occasionally seen near the mouth of
the Brooks River. In years past, he was rarely
seen in areas with high numbers of people. #747
also seems to be very tolerant of other bears, like
#16 and #489.
25Bear 755 Scare D. Bear Adult Male
July 2013 Sept. 2011
July 2004 July 2007 Sept. 2006
ID Marks #755 is a medium sized adult male with a golden
and Hints brown coat, darker head, and a tapering muzzle.
His dark eye rings can be a distinctive feature
early in the summer.
In the fall, his coat is a uniform brown with con-
trasting, light colored ears.
Life History #755 was classified as a subadult when first ob- he does approach the falls platform, he moves
served in 2004. Even though he fishes at Brooks quickly behind it, never in front. Sometimes,
Falls regularly, he has never shown much toler- however, he will fish the lip of the falls when
ance towards humans or other bears. only one or two people are on the platform.
He seems to be wary of humans and usually In recent years, he seemed less willing to yield
will not approach the platform side of the river space to other adult bears. This may indicate that
when people are present. He has been observed he is becoming more habituated towards other
running away from the riffles area when people bears and/or more dominant as he matures.
approach.
#755 will fish at the falls during daylight hours
when the platform is full of people, but rarely
leaves the far side of the river at those times. If
26Bear 814 Lurch Adult Male
July 2013 Sept. 2013
July 2010 July 2006 Sept. 2011
ID Marks #814 is a large adult male with a flopped over or
and Hints cropped right ear, and a distinctive scar above
his right eye.
In June and July, his back has a pronounced
saddle and is sometimes noticeably shed out.
Late in the summer, his new coat is a uniform
dark brown.
Life History #814 was described as a young adult male when In October 2012, #814 was seen guarding a food
he was first identified in 2005. Since 2008, this cache near the mouth of the Brooks River. Later
bear has becoming increasingly dominant. He observations determined that he was guard-
will steal fish and regularly displaces other bears ing and feeding on a dead bear. It is unknown
from his preferred fishing spots. whether or not #814 killed the bear he was feed-
ing on. He likely appropriated the cache from
He was observed killing #435’s spring cub in #469 who was seen digging in the same spot.
June 2009. It is unclear why adult males will
sometimes kill cubs as the cub is not always For bears like #814, calories are calories. It
eaten. Certainly in some situations hunger plays makes no difference whether or not the calories
a role, but at other times a cub may be killed come from salmon or another bear. #814’s ac-
and not consumed. Motivation to mate with the tions demonstrate the successful survival skills
cub’s mother is another hypothesis as to why of a dominant bear.
some males perform infanticide.
27Bear 856 Adult Male
July 2012 Sept. 2012
July 2010 July 2009 Sept. 2010
ID Marks #856 is a large adult. He has a uniform brown Like #747 and #814, he is one of the largest
and Hints and grizzled coat. His ears are blonde and bears that regularly uses the Brooks River.
wide-set. His forehead is wide, furred, and has
a noticeable shed pattern in July. His face and
front legs may have numerous small scars.
Unlike most bears, #856 is often seen repeatedly
licking his lips while he fishes the lip and walks
around Brooks Falls.
Life History #856 was classified as a young adult in 2006. like #856, are adapted to take advantage of their
Since then, he has been one of the largest, and position in the hierarchy.
most dominant bears along the river. Most other
bears, including #747 and #814, typically yield In July 2011, #856 managed to separate #402
space to him. from one of her cubs; he later returned and
killed it. It is unclear why adult males will some-
Over the past several years, he has mated with times kill cubs as the cub is not always eaten
several adult females. In Katmai, most male (also see #814). In this instance #856 and #402
bears do not have the opportunity to mate mated in 2010. Therefore, it is possible #856
with females until they are in their early to mid killed his own offspring. These two bears mated
teens—an age when they are large enough to again in 2012, and #402 returned with three
compete other adult males for access to females. spring cubs in 2013.
However, the hierarchy can change quickly, even
within the same season. Therefore most bears,
28Bear 868 Wayne Brother Adult Male
July 2013 Sept. 2012
July 2012 June 2011 Sept. 2007
ID Marks #868 has a medium sized body with a light
and Hints brown coat, and a grooved, medium length
muzzle. His ears are wide set, triangular, and
white. When shedding, he has a distinct vase-
shaped patch around his tail area.
Life History Bear #868 is a young adult male. He was first
classified as a sub-adult in 2006. He resembles
his mother, #438, and is the sibling of #83. A
third sibling from this litter is rarely seen.
#83 and #868 are regularly seen in the Brooks
area and they have fished Brooks Falls at the
same time, but #868 doesn’t seem to be as
dominant as his sibling. He can be seen fishing
at Brooks Falls, the riffles, and in the lower river
but often yields space to other bears.
29Bear 879 Adult Male
Sept. 2013 Oct. 2010
August 2013 Sept. 2011 Sept. 2006
ID Marks #879 has a tall, medium-large body and a brown
and Hints coat. His muzzle is long and straight. He has
triangular, upright ears and a long neck.
Life History #879 was first classified as a subadult in 2006. He or match those individuals to bears observed
is now a young adult male. This is a “fall” bear earlier in the season.
who has not been identified in July. He may fish
other streams in the summer, choosing to use
Brooks River only later in the season. Alterna-
tively, he may use Brooks River in July but is
unrecognizable upon returning in late August or
September.
Like the salmon they depend upon, brown bears
go through dramatic physical changes over the
course of a few weeks. As they gain hundreds of
pounds and shed their fur, it can become diffi-
cult to distinguish individuals from one another
30Adult Females
#236 and yearling cubs #409 in
in July 2008 Sept. 2009
#409 and spring cubs #468 in July 2006. Note #403 and 2.5 year old cub
in July 2007 the breeding scars. (bottom) in July 2007
ID Marks Like adult males, the bodies of adult females Occasionally, scarring can be an identifier of
and Hints look filled in, their heads appear smaller in females. During spring and early summer, scar-
proportion to their bodies, and their ears are ring can sometimes present be on the back of a
generally wide-set. female’s neck. These scars can be the result of
male bears biting them during copulation.
Genitalia is usually difficult to see on female
bears, but you can still sex adult females by The presence of cubs is an absolute indicator
watching them urinate. Females will urinate that you are looking at a female. Male bears play
backward between their hind legs. no role in raising young.
Life History Adult females, or sows, generally weigh one-half This delayed implantation is a remarkable ad-
to three-quarters as much as males, but can still aptation which allows the female to give birth in
grow to weigh between 300-600 pounds (136- the den—a place where the vunerable newborn
272 kg) at maturity. cubs are most protected. A female may have
no offspring at all if her body didn’t receive the
In the Katmai region, female bears generally nutrition it needs over the course of the summer
reach sexual maturity around six years of age, and fall.
but they may not produce their first litter until
several years later. Mating takes place in late In the Katmai region, females typically keep their
spring and early summer. However, fertilized cubs through two summers, and less commonly
embryos will not implant in the uterus until a through three summers.
female dens for the winter.
31Bear 94 Adult Female
July 2013 Oct. 2012
July 2010 July 2009 Oct. 2012
ID Marks #94 is a small adult female with a uniform me-
and Hints dium brown coat, a tapered muzzle that turns up
at the nose, dark eye rings, and spade-shaped,
proportionally large ears.
Life History #94 was classified as young adult female with Courting brown bears are promiscuous. While
two spring cubs in 2008. #856 fished at the falls, #94 mated with other
bears. During 2011 she mated with at least four
In July 2011 she was courted by #856. Courting males: #45, #218, #747, and #856. However, she
is a process through which adult males habituate had no cubs with her when first seen in 2012,
adult females to their presence before mating. nor did she have cubs in 2013. Whether she lost
During this courtship the pair spent extensive cubs, or simply failed to give birth, is unknown.
time along Brooks River’s north bank, in the
area between the Cultural Site Trail and Brooks
Falls. As #856’s consort, #94 approached the
falls much closer than she would have as a single
bear.
32Bear 128 Grazer Adult Female
July 2012 Sept. 2012
July 2012 July 2011 Sept. 2012
ID Marks #128 is a medium sized adult female with a dark
and Hints blonde coat and dark patches around her eyes.
She has large, oval- shaped, and widely spaced
ears.
She fishes the lower river, the cut bank, and the
riffles.
Life History #128 was first classified as a subadult female in
2009 and as an adult in 2010. She is another bear
who has learned to associate people with fish.
This is a behavior shared with other bears like
#438 and #854.
She will rapidly approach anglers who have a fish
on the line. Anglers should give this bear extra
space in the river and stop fishing well before she
is within 50 yards.
33Bear 130 Tundra Adult Female
July 2012 Sept. 2013
May 2010 July 2008 Aug. 2013
ID Marks #130 is a small adult with a medium-blonde
and Hints coat and round ears of the same color. She has
dark brown claws that are lighter on the tips and
slight eye rings. Her most distinctive feature is a
scar above her left eye.
Life History #130 was classified as a 2.5 year-old subadult As an older subadult, she showed interest in
in 2009. She commonly fishes the cut bank and mating. During 2011 she followed a courting
lower Brooks River. Occasionally she visits the pair around Brooks Camp for several days.
falls, but she is not large enough to regularly fish Shortly afterwards she attempted mating with
there. This young bear shows signs of habitua- another subadult. These activities probably re-
tion towards people, especially around Brooks flect the curious and playful nature of subadults
Camp, but she usually avoids other bears and rather than serious attempts at reproduction.
people when surprised.
She is believed to be the offspring of #409. While
#130 was still being raised by her mother, she
received a bloody wound above her left eye that
resulted in her recognizable scar.
34Bear 402 Adult Female
July 2013 Sept. 2013
June 2002 July 2004 Sept. 2007
ID Marks A medium sized adult, #402 has a short, dark
and Hints blonde coat of fur. Her face is crescent shaped
with a straight profile.
Life History #402 has had four known litters, one of which In July 2011, after a prolonged confrontation
she raised into their third summer. In 2007 she with #856, she and her smallest cub became
arrived at Brooks River with a single spring cub, separated. During this time the cub was com-
but soon lost it. She then went back into estrus pletely defenseless, yet other male bears ignored
and several males pursued her, most prominent- it. #856 later returned to the falls and killed the
ly #218. In 2008, she had three spring cubs. cub.
In 2011 she arrived at Brooks River with three DNA analysis confirmed that #402 and #403 are
more spring cubs, but she lost this litter by 2012. siblings. These bears share a mother, physical
features, and some behavioral characteristics.
She fishes the lip and in the lower river; some- Both will dive for fish, a fairly rare technique.
times she will dive in the jacuzzi. She is among
the few females who will fish at Brooks Falls with
spring cubs.
35Bear 409 Beadnose Adult Female
July 2010 Sept. 2013
July 2011 July 2007 August 2012
ID Marks #409 has a long, straight muzzle with a slightly
and Hints upturned nose and a medium-large body.
She has a light to medium-brown coat with
wide-set, blonde ears.
She is often confused with bear #408, especially
in September and October.
Life History #409 was classified as a subadult in 1999 and From 2009-2011, #409 was single and this may
is frequently seen along Brooks River. Like be a major reason why #409 has grown into one
#410, she appears habituated to the presence of of the fattest females to be seen in the fall. Her
humans and will use areas near people to rest, size can easily be compared with females caring
travel and feed. for cubs. Raising offspring is very energetically
taxing for bears. Females with offspring must
#409 had her first known litter of one cub in sacrifice body fat to raise cubs. #409, in recent
2004, and she could be seen with the cub latched years, has been able to devote more energy to
onto her back as she swam across the river. She her own survival as her overall size indicates.
returned in June 2007 with three spring cubs,
but was soon observed with only two cubs. She In 2012, she returned with three spring cubs.
raised the two survivors through 2008. One bear This is her third known litter.
from this litter is now recognized as #130.
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