Katmai Terrane

 

About This Blog

Bears. Salmon. Volcanoes. Wilderness. Culture. These are the terranes of Katmai. Each is distinct, but in combination these features create a place like no other. Read about the uniqueness of Katmai in this blog.

Genetics Study FAQ

October 18, 2016 Posted by: David Kopshever

We asked Ranger Michael Saxton some questions about his ongoing genetics study. Read what his project is all about!

 

Bear Bones

August 19, 2016 Posted by: Daniel Lombardi

A bear skeleton was recently found along the Brooks River.

 

Old Bears and New Tricks

July 31, 2016 Posted by: David Kopshever

775 "Lefty" used to be a bear that only visited the Brooks River in the fall months, but is now a regular in July. Check out what he's been up to this year.

 

Swimming the Brooks River

June 25, 2016 Posted by: Daniel Lombardi

Ranger Daniel swims the Brooks River, finding another world of wildlife below the water's surface.

 

Story Behind the Bear Jam Photo

February 23, 2016 Posted by: Michael Fitz

Nine bears can be seen in this photo taken from the Lower River Wildlife Viewing Platform in early July 2010. What were they doing there and what were the circumstances that brought them together? This photo tells a story of hunger, instinct, and survival.

 

Recent Bear Deaths at Brooks River

November 23, 2015 Posted by: Michael Fitz and Jeanne Roy

Bearcam 2015 ended with startling deaths that highlighted the harsh realities of a bear’s world. The death of two bears, a young cub and an adult male, offered the opportunity to learn from events that people rarely have the opportunity to observe and study.

 

Late Night at Brooks Falls

August 31, 2015 Posted by: Tori Anderson

From 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. June 15 to August 15, the platforms and boardwalks at Brooks Falls are closed. In order to better understand how bears use the falls when no humans are present, I assisted Brooks Camp’s bear monitor, Leslie Skora, with an overnight monitoring session from 10:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m., then again from 4 to 7 a.m.

 

Next Month on Bearcam

July 30, 2015 Posted by: Michael Fitz

What should you expect to see at Brooks River and on bearcam over the next month? While other parts of Katmai fill with bears in August, it’s the opposite at Brooks Camp. August brings bears more opportunities to find food away from Brooks River.

 

Where's Ted?

July 03, 2015 Posted by: Mark Kaufman

Each summer, we expect to see bears at Brooks River, like family at Thanksgiving. Sometimes though, well known bears don’t come back.

 

Hey Lurch! What's Up with You?

July 02, 2015 Posted by: Michael Fitz

So far in this summer, 814 Lurch looks and behaves differently than years past. So, what’s up with Lurch?

 

Previously on Bearcam

June 23, 2015 Posted by: Michael Fitz

What happened on Bearcam 2014? Catch up on the action...

 

2014 Bearcam Year In Review

December 17, 2014 Posted by: Michael Fitz

2014 proved to be an exciting year for fans of the Brooks River bears. Let’s recap the drama and events captured on the Brooks River. These are my choices for 2014’s most notable bearcam moments. Which story resonated most with you?

 

The Challenges of Managing Bears and People at Brooks Camp

July 02, 2014 Posted by: Michael Fitz

July 1, 2014 was a stressful day for rangers and one yearling cub at Brooks Camp. Around 10 AM bear #402 became separated from her cub near the mouth of the Brooks River. The yearling walked and ran to Brooks Lodge and climbed a tree just outside of the lodge. The cub was not reunited with its mother until 8:15 PM. This situation highlights the challenges of managing people and bears at Brooks Camp.

 

Chasing Bigger Bears

October 07, 2014 Posted by: Michael Fitz

Who's on bottom of the bear hierarchy? Young subadult bears, like bear 500, that's who. On Sunday, October 5, part of an extended chase was seen on the River Watch bearcam. 435 Holly’s adopted yearling chased subadult bear 500 while Holly’s spring cub and Holly herself tried to keep up.

 

Abandoned Cub Finds a New Mother

September 11, 2014 Posted by: Michael Fitz

In early July, bear 402 abandoned her yearling cub. Rangers, including myself, were routinely asked, “Will it find another bear to care for it?” My usual response to this question was coldly factual, "Adoption of cubs by another bear is very rare. It has been documented, but is unlikely to happen." However, bears, even young bears, are adaptable and smart. They possess the ability to recognize favorable situations and take advantage of them. 402’s abandoned yearling is no exception.

 

Incised Pebbles from the Brooks River Area

January 09, 2014 Posted by: Kathryn Myers

To many, the Brooks River is the heart of Katmai National Park & Preserve. It is also a National Historic Landmark and an Archeological District consisting of 20 different prehistoric sites.

From 2002-2003, working with the Council of Katmai Descendants, NPS archaeologists partially excavated one of these 20 sites in an attempt to answer research questions and learn about the site before sections were lost to erosion. Some of the artifacts found during this excavation were delicately designed incised pebbles.

 

Dynamics of the Brooks River Sockeye

July 27, 2013 Posted by: Michael Fitz

In winter, ice and snow cover much of Katmai’s landscape. Salmon fry bide their time waiting to become smolt and run to sea. Later in the year and soon after the smolt depart, much larger salmon are returning from the ocean. In late June, schools of silvery and energetic fish begin to pulse through the river. During August and September, the Brooks River is dotted with ruby-colored jewels digging nests and fighting for territory. Soon after, the waters of Katmai begin to quiet again. The salmon have spawned and most are dead. Eggs are quietly incubating.

These are extreme contrasts, but the Brooks River is a dynamic place. Maybe nothing else better illustrates this than the annual sockeye salmon run--a powerful example of change, adaptation, and instinct.

 

Last updated: April 14, 2015

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