153 July 2, 2020 NPS photo by T Carmack KNP&P Flickr
Adult Female
Year First Identified: 2009 as a subadult
Offspring Of: Not known at this time
Year Last Observed: 2023
Known Litters of Cubs: 1 (2017, at least 2 spring cubs)
Darting Attempts: 153 was successfully darted in 2017 by Ranger Michael Saxton.
Note: This may have been bear 39 that was darted due to a misidentification.
PLEASE NOTE: IN 2017 BEAR MONITORING STAFF CAME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS BEAR THAT WAS IDENTIFIED AS 153 IS ACTUALLY BEAR 39. 39 AND 153 ARE NOW BELIEVED TO BE THE SAME BEAR. 39'S PAGE OF THE 2018 BEARS OF BROOKS RIVER BOOK STATES: "Previously, this bear was misnumbered as bear #153. They are now thought to be the same bear."
UPDATE: AS OF APRIL 2022, BEARS 39 AND 153 ARE NOW BELIEVED TO BE 2 DIFFERENT BEARS.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ON 5/2/2022, mazey posted information in chat that had been exchanged via email with Ranger Lian Law. The emails were between 4/26-5/2/2022. The updates were in response to bear identification questions. 153 WAS MISIDENTIFIED AS 289.
Mazey to Ranger Lian Law: After seeing photos of 153 (previously posted in chat) could 289 have been mistaken for 153 in 2019? Note: 289 was the sow identified with two 2.5 year old cubs in 2019. Question prompted by JG.
Reply from Ranger Lian Law: As for 153, I think you are correct. It looks like in some places it is indicated and I quote "first ID'd as 289 in 2019 and this year but was changed based on descriptions from past monitors".
Mazey to Ranger Lian Law: So is that a firm ID that 153 was seen in 2019 with cubs and 2020 and 2021 as a single sow?
Reply from Ranger Lian Law: Since the bear monitor hasn't started yet, I can't confirm directly from her about 153 but all notes indicate that yes, that is firm.
Identification:[]
153 is a small female with a dark blond coat and a prominent shoulder hump. She has a faint stripe of darker fur across her back. Her large round ears are the same color as her body. Like 132, she has an inverted V or chevron pattern of fur on her forehead.
Distinctive Behaviors:[]
From the 2017 Bears of Brooks River eBook: 153 will fish in the riffles area and near Brooks Falls, but is not large enough to consistently occupy the best fishing spots. 153 also appears tolerant of people on the wildlife viewing platforms. As of 2016, 153 had not been officially observed in the fall. She was not officially observed in 2016.
Life History:[]
From the 2017 Bears of Brooks River eBook: #153 is a young adult bear. Because she has not been observed with cubs and ranks fairly low in the bear hierarchy, she often patrols the river unnoticed by many bear watchers. This bear will fish in the riffles area and near Brooks Falls, but is not large enough to consistently occupy the best fishing spots. #153 also appears tolerant of people on the wildlife viewing platforms. She has not been observed in fall. She was not seen in 2016.
2009:[]
Add here
2010:[]
July 2010:[]
2010.07: 153 July 2010 NPS photographs:
2011:[]
Add here
2012:[]
July 2012:[]
2012.07: 153 July 2012 NPS photograph:
2013:[]
July 2013:[]
2013.07: 153 July 2013 NPS photograph:
2014:[]
Add here
2015: Young Adult Female[]
In 2015, 153 was classified as a young adult female.
July 2015:[]
2015.07: 153 July 2015 NPS photographs:
2016: Adult Female[]
153 was included in the 2016 edition of the Bears of Brooks River book in the adult female section on page 37. This was the first time 153 appeared in any edition of the Bears of Brooks River book.
2017: Adult Female with at Least 2 Spring Cubs[]
153 was included in the 2017 edition of the Bears of Brooks River book in the adult female section on page 41.
153 was not observed by the Bear Monitor in 2017 but had at least 2 spring cubs.
July 2017:[]
153 (as 39) appears on the list of Bears Monitored in July 2017 but was misidentified as bear 39 with 3 yearlings.
Fall 2017:[]
153 (as 39) appears on the list of Bears Monitored in Fall 2017 but was misidentified as bear 39 with 3 yearlings.
2018: Adult Female with at Least 2 Yearlings[]
153 was not observed by the Bear Monitor in 2018 but had at least 2 yearlings
July 2018:[]
153 does not appear on the list of Bears Monitored in July 2018.
Fall 2018:[]
153 does not appear on the list of Bears Monitored in Fall 2018.
2019: Adult Female with two 2.5 Year-Old Cubs or 2 yearlings? See 7/21/2019 post below[]
153 was not believed to have been observed by the Bear Monitor in 2019 but had at least two 2.5 year-old cubs. Note: bear 289 was listed with two 2.5 year-old cubs on the list of Bears Monitored in July 2019. We now know that this was actually bear 153.
July 2019:[]
153 (as 289) appears on the list of Bears Monitored in July 2019.
2019.07.20: Lani H captured 7/20/2019 video of 153 (not 289) with two 2.5 year old cubs in the riffles.
289 and two 2.5 year olds in the riffles 7 20 2019, video by Lani H
153, video by Lani H
Bookmom captured photos of 153 in the riffles with her two 2.5 year old cubs on 7/20/2019, #1,#2, #3 and #4.
2019.07.21: 153 with one of her two 2.5 year-old cubs on July 21, 2019 NPS photo by Ranger Tammy Carmack in KNP&P's Flickr album via KNP&P Ranger Naomi Boak . Note that the ID of this sow was changed to 153 in April 2022. The label on the Flickr photo is incorrect (153 not 289). Note: The 2019 Bears Seen List for July 2019 indicates 153 had two 2.5 year-old cubs. This NPS photo was marked as 289 (now 153) with 1 yearling. In a 6/6/2022 email to mazey Ranger Lian explained that "According to the notes it says 153/289 had two yearlings or two two-year olds (in 2019) so it looks like age was unsure on the cubs." To minimize re-editing this page, we will assume that 153 had two 2 year old cubs in 2019.
153 with one of her two yearling cubs July 21, 2019 NPS photo by Ranger Tammy Carmack KNP&P Flickr
2019.07.22: 153 (not 289) with her two 2.5 year old cubs, 7/22/2019 video by Lani H.
289 with two 2.5 year olds 7 22 2019, video by Lani H
153, video by Lani H
153 (not 289) with her 2 cubs in the riffles, 7/22/2019 video by Casper Pike.
289 2 (2.5YO) 2019 07 22 12 56 48 964, video by Casper Pike
153, video by Casper Pike
153 and her 2 year olds, 7/22/2019 video by mckate.
22 Jul 2019- 153 and Her Yearlings in the Riffles
Video by mckate
2019.07.24: Close-up of 153 (not 289) with her two 2.5 year old cubs, 7/24/2019 video by Lani H.
Close up of unknown sow with 2.5 year old cubs 7 24 2019, video by Lani H
Video by Lani H
153 and her two 2.5 year-old cubs on the lower river, 7/24/2019 video by mckate.
24 Jul 2019- 153 and Her Yearlings on the Lower River
Video by mckate
Fall 2019:[]
153 (as 289) does not appear on the list of Bears Monitored in Fall 2019.
2020: Adult Female[]
June 2020:[]
2020.06.30: 153 eats her fish at the picnic area, 6/30/2020 video by mckate.
30 Jun 2020- 153 Enjoys a Riverside Picnic
Video by mckate
Mckate's 6/30/2020 video of 153 in the riffles.
30 Jun 2020- 153 in the Riffles
Video by mckate
July 2020:[]
153 appears on the list of Bears Monitored in July 2020.
2020.07.02: 153 July 2, 2020 NPS photo by T Carmack KNP&P Flickr.
153 July 2, 2020 NPS photo by T Carmack KNP&P Flickr
153 (right) and 820 (left) fish the oxbow, 7/2/2020 video by mckate.
2 Jul 2020- 820 and 153 at the Oxbow
Video by mckate
Birgitt's 7/2/2020 video of 153 in the riffles.
153 in the Riffles 2020-07-02 22-57-10(explore.org)
Video by Birgitt
2020.07.24: 153 July 24, 2020 photo by T Carmack KNP&P Flickr.
153 July 24, 2020 photo by T Carmack KNP&P Flickr
2021: Adult Female[]
July 2021:[]
153 appears on the list of Bears Monitored in July 2021.
2021.07.14: 153 (not 289) in the riffles, 7/15/2021 video by Birgitt.
289 Maybe in the Riffles 2021-07-14 22-42-41-858-2
153, video by Birgitt
2021.07.15: 747 (bottom left) and 153 (top right) snooze at the cutbank, 7/15/2021 video by mckate.
15 Jul 2021- 747 and 153 Snooze on the Cut Bank (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2021.07.26: 153 walks the spit road, 7/26/2021 video by mckate.
26 Jul 2021- 153 Walks the Spit Road (explore.org)
Video by mckate
Mckate's 7/26/2021 video of 153 in the riffles. "She came in on the spit road and I thought it was 57, but I think she's too humpy and too big. Apparently nobody recognizes her."
26 Jul 2021- 153 in the Riffles (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2021.07.28: 19 lurks under the falls platform, 153 is in the near pool, 7/28/2021 video by Birgitt.
19 Lurks Under Falls Platform 153 in Near Pool Pt 2 2021-07-28 23-37-59-673
Video by Birgitt
2021.07.29: 909 sends 812 packing, 153 gets a fish, 7/29/2021 video by Birgitt. 153 enters the frame on the left at 2:23 and pounces for a fish at 6:05.
909 Sends 812 Packing 153 Gets a Fish 2021-07-29 20-41-26 (explore.org)
Video by Birgitt
Larinor's two 7/29/2021 snapshots of 153, #1 and #2.
2021.07.31: GABear's 7/31/2021 gif of 153 walking by the falls low cam.
153 tries to steal a fish from 909, 7/31/2021 video by GA Bear. "The unknown bear has small confrontation with 909 and cub. After 909 scavenges a fish from the lip fishing bear, unknown tries to steal it."
Brooks Falls - 909 and cub and the unknown bear (sow?) - explore.org 7-31-21
Video by GA Bear
153 climbs the falls to pirate from 503, 7/31/2021 video by GA Bear. " Unknown bear scavenges some fish, then climbs the falls to pirate fish from 503 before returning to its usual spot below the falls."
Brooks Falls - unknown bear (sow?) climbs the falls to pirate from 503 - explore.org 7-31-21
Video by GA Bear
August 2021:[]
2021.08.01: 153 at the falls, 8/1/2021 video by mckate.
1 Aug 2021- 153 at the Falls (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2021.08.02: 153 (bottom left) pounces and catches a fish while 207 (bottom right) watches, 8/2/2021 video by Birgitt.
207 Watches 153 Catch Fish 480 Waits Behind Crowded J, 128 on Lip 2021-08-02 00-30-37 (explore.org)
Video by Birgitt
2022: Adult Female[]
July 2022:[]
153 appears on the list of Bears Monitored in July 2022. She was pretty elusive during the season. JG captured four July videos that may be 153.
2022.07.??: Park Visitor Brian Lashchuk's July 2022 video of 153 eating a fish.
Eating fish up close. Yummy Yummy in My Tummy
153 July 2022 video by Brian Lashchuk
2022.07.08: A brief glimpse of 153 in the riffles, 7/8/2022 video by JG.
Unsure (153?) - Explore.org July 8, 2022-2
Video by JG
2022.07.09: Encounters between 503 and 153? 7/9/2022 video by JG. 153 seems interested in 503's fish, he seems interested in courting her but she pushes him back.
Encounters between 503 and (153?) - Explore.org July 9, 2022-2
Video by JG
2022.07.14: Possibly 153 in the riffles looking for scraps, 7/14/2022 video by JG.
Unsure (153?) - Explore.org July 14, 2022-2
Video by JG
2022.07.16: Possibly 153, again seen in the riffles scavenging for fish, 7/16/2022 video by JG.
Unsure (153?) - Explore.org July 16, 2022-2
Video by JG
2022.07.18: Park visitor Kara di Baleaux shared two 7/18/2022 photos of 153 in chat on 8/26/2022, #1 and #2. "Saw this lovely bear on the far side bank above the falls on 7/18/22. Looks a bit like 171 but I'm not sure. Any ideas on who this might be?" Need Kara Di Baleaux's permission to post their photos. Links only.
2022.07.21: Chatter/park visitor Sherimiah posted this 7/21/2022 photo of 153 in chat on 8/21/2022. "Photo taken July 21, 2022. Grazer family. Any idea who the beautiful bear is sitting on grass? He/she sat there for so long and just watched the other bears." Sherimiah also posted this 7/21/2022 photo of 153 in chat on 8/22/2022. Need Sherimiah's permission to post their photos. Links only.
2022.07.26 or prior: 7/26/2022 or prior Instagram video of 153 scavenging in the riffles by karphotography.
September 2022:[]
153 appears on the list of Bears Monitored in Fall 2022.
2023: Adult Female[]
July 2023:[]
2023.07.15: 153 arrives and bops 903 "Gully" in mckate's video:
15 Jul 2023- 153 Arrives and Bops 903 (explore.org)
video by mckate
128 Grazer, 153, 820 and 807 on the riffles bank in this video captured by mckate:
15 Jul 2023- 128, 153, 820 and 807 on Riffles Bank (explore.org)
video by mckate
2023.07.16: Amy (NWBEARLOVE92) captured these photographs (#1 & #2) of a bear that could possibly be 153 (p 09/02/20223 14:10). JG provided the potential ID. If this is 153, this is the 1st time Amy has been able to observe 153 in person.: Please request Amy (NWBEARLOVE92)'s permission PRIOR to using their photographs!
2023.07.18: 153 waits in the wings in mckate's video:
18 Jul 2023- 153 Waits in the Wings (explore.org)
video by mckate
August 2023:[]
2023.08.04: 153 takes an island break in this video by mckate:
4 Aug 2023- 153 Takes an Island Break (explore.org)
video by mckate
153 fishes from 89 Backpack's rock in this video mckate captured:
4 Aug 2023- 153 Fishes from Backpack's Rock (explore.org)
video by mckate
Known Courting & Mating:[]
Add here
Known Litters of Cubs:[]
2017:[]
At least 2 Spring Cubs ~ 1st known litter.
2018:[]
At least 2 Yearlings ~ 1st known litter
2019:[]
Two 2.5 Year-Old Cubs
Known Relatives:[]
Unknown
Darting Attempts:[]
2016:[]
There were no darting attempts (successful or unsuccessful) of 153 by Ranger Michael Saxton in 2016. 153 was not officially observed by bear monitoring staff in 2016.
2017:[]
153 was successfully darted in 2017. Note: This may have been 39 that was successfully darted.