Bear 164 "Bucky"

164 nicknamed "Bucky" stands near the Falls at Brooks River

NPS/C. Loberg

A lot can be learned from the individual bears of Brooks River. Each bears’ story connects visitors to the interrelated world of bears and salmon, and many other species in Katmai National Park. This page contains a brief history of this Brooks River Bear.

Year first ID’d: 2.5 year old subadult in 2019

ID Characteristics: 164 has a dark indent between his eyes, a dish-shaped facial profile and blonde oval ears

ID Behaviors: 164 has been seen following other, older bears potentially scavenging their catches or pirating from these older bears. 164 has a unique fishing style, often sitting under the falls, catching the salmon who did not complete their jump over the falls.

In 2026, bear 164 proved to be the most dominant bear at Brooks River. Nearly every other bear yeilds to him. It has often been seen that when a bear arrives, 164 will exert dominance and try to force the bear out of the area.

Bear 164 "Bucky" in late summer 2026

NPS/C. Loberg

Tags: brooks river bear, katmai