Unidentified Bear with Wire Snare Around Neck, August 3, 2023 & October 8, 2023 - Could this Bear Have Also Been Seen on June 21, 2022?:[]
Ranger Naomi Boak October 13, 2023 08:56 Update:[]
"Good day, everyone. I heard from a fellow ranger who is still in King Salmon that the park's search team did thorough sweeps at Brooks to look for the bear that might have a snare around its neck. Sadly, they did not find the bear. Thank you all for spotting the bear on the cams. Since it is not a bear that is regularly at the river, it was a long shot that it could be found. The bear management team was prepared to aid the bear if found."
Ranger Naomi Boak's October 13, 2023 08:56 update on the 2023 "Snare Bear"
Is it still important to keep an eye out for the "Snare Bear"? Yes, it is! Please post in the bearcam comments if you believe that you have seen the "Snare Bear". Time and location are important to note and please include snapshots if possible.
October 8, 2023 Bear with Wire Snare Observed at the Falls:[]
The bear with the wire snare around it's neck was observed at the falls on the afternoon of October 8, 2023.
Jami created this gif (p 16:18). Blair-55 created these gifs (#1 & #2) still at the falls (p 17:13).:
twelve22 captured this video of the bear with the snare around it's neck at the falls on October 8, 2023:
Snare Bear at the Falls - October 8, 2023 (explore.org)
video by twelve22
Sienna Dunn captured these videos of the bear with the snare around it's neck at the falls on October 8, 2023.:
10.08.23 Bear previously seen with a snare, appears at the Falls. Video 1
video by Sienna Dunn
10.08.23 Bear with snare. Video 2
video by Sienna Dunn
10.03.23 Bear with snare. Video 3-2
video by Sienna Dunn
mckate captured this video of the snare bear:
8 Oct 2023- The Snare Bear Returns (explore.org)
video by mckate
August 3, 2023 - Bear with wire snare observed in the lower river and at mouth of the Brooks River:[]
On August 3, 2023 shortly before 09:40 AKDT the bear with the wire snare appeared to "know" (be familiar with) another bear that was using the lower river. Goldilocks, Canada shared this information and snapshot (p 08/04/23 11:43):
"...The u/k bear was known to this bear. Just before this pic, the other bear swam right up to the u/k, they had a brief snout to snout greeting, then parted ways."
The unidentified bear with the wire snare and another bear that seemed to "know" each other in the lower river just before 09:40 AKDT August 3, 2023 snapshot by Goldilocks, Canada (p 08/04/23 11:43)
On August 3, 2023 at approximately 09:40 AKDT cam viewers observed the unidentified bear with what appears to be a wire snare around its neck on the River Watch cam. Goldilocks, Canada saw a comment about that observation and went back to capture snapshots (#1, #2 & #3) so the rangers and biologist could be more informed of the bear's behaviors. Goldilocks, Canada shared this information (p 08/04/2023 10:08):
"I saw a comment, last night, that he was also seen on the RW cam…..minutes before he was seen on the spit. I went back and grabbed a few pics…..not the greatest resolution. If you enlarge you can see the line across the back of the neck. The second pic somewhat shows his beard/curtain. The last pic is to show that he went downstream and under the bridge…..I didn’t capture when he actually passed under the bridge. Moments later he was picked up on the KRV cam, as he walked onto the spit.
Am posting this to be sure the rangers are aware that he was also making use of the lower river."
LaBelleCorisande shared this information (p 08/04/23 12:16) and created this video of the unidentified bear with the snare in the lower river on the River Watch cam at approximately 09:40 AKDT:
"Goldilocks, Canada pointed out that the snare bear appeared on RW yesterday (8/3/23) before he swam to the spit. Another cam viewer sent me footage of this appearance! Here it is. Again, it’s from yesterday (08/03/2023). Snare bear on RW before the spit 2023-08-03 c. 9:40am RW"
Snare bear on RW before the spit 2023-08-03 c. 9-40am RW explore.org
Unidentified bear with wire snare in the lower river on the River Watch cam on August 3, 2023 09:40 AKDT video by LaBelleCorisande
On August 3, 2023 at approximately 09:45 AKDT cam viewers observed an unidentified bear with what appears to be a wire snare around its neck on the KRV cam. Viewers began reporting this observation in the bearcam comments and reports were made to rangers with boots on the ground.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time cam viewers have taken action about an observation of this magnitude; 854 Divot returned to Brooks Camp on July 28, 2014 with a wire snare around her neck and one remaining yearling. NPS Wildlife Biologist, Grant Hilderbrand and KNP&P rangers mounted a 3 day mission to save 854 Divot. You can read all about the Mission to Save 854 Divot on her wiki page or watch the video of the ranger's heroic efforts to save 854 Divot's life!
Kam captured this snapshot of the 2023 Unidentified bear with the snare (p 11:36).:
Unidentified bear with snare August 3, 2023 snapshot captured by Kam (p 11:36)
LaBelleCorisande captured this video of the August 3, 2023 unidentified bear with the wire snare:
Bear with snare or something cinched around neck, 2023-08-03 about 9-45am AKDT KRV explore.org
video by LaBelleCorisande
Buddy's mom captured this video:
Unknown bear (for now) seen with possible snare-collar around its neck. Explore.org 8-3-23
video by Buddy's mom
Could This Bear Have Been Seen In 2022 With The Snare?[]
Please see 854 Divot's wiki page in the June 2022 section, scroll down to June 21, 2022 to see more videos, gifs & information on this bear observed on June 22, 2022.
mckate captured this video on June 21, 2022. Could the bear in this video be the bear we are seeing with the wire snare around it's neck in August and October 2023?
21 Jun 2022- Snare Bear Passes By? (explore.org)
video by mckate
Ranger Naomi Checks In With Cam Viewers August 3, 2023 @ 11:11 AKDT:[]
Ranger Naomi Boak popped into the bearcam comments on August 3, 2023 at 11:11 AKDT to update cam viewers:
"Good Day, fellow bear lovers. We want to thank those with eagle eyes who spotted the bear with what appears to be a snare around its neck. We reported this to bear management. They are taking this very seriously and looking into the matter. Thank you so much for spotting this bear and speaking up. I don't think any of us were in a position to see this bear this morning.
I will let you know if and when I learn any more."
Ranger Naomi Boak's August 11, 2023 11:11 AKDT comment
Mike Fitz & Ranger Naomi Boak Discuss the 2023 Unidentified Bear with the Snare in the August 3, 2023 Play-by-Play:[]
Ranger Naomi & Mike Fitz discuss the 2023 Unidentified bear with the snare in this August 3, 2023 play-by-play. The bear with the neck snare is discussed at 39:00. 26's deceased cub is discussed at 1:04:22. The cub's body was observed floating out to Naknek Lake today.
Play by Play 8.3.23 - Brooks Live Chat
August 3, 2023 play-by-play with Mike Fitz and Ranger Naomi Boak; the bear with the neck snare is discussed at 39:00.
Ranger Naomi Boak's August 5, 2023 16:19 AKDT Update:[]
"That's interesting. Let me look it up. We are still looking out for that bear but have not seen it again." (p 08/05/23 16:19)
Ranger Naomi Boak's August 5, 2023 16:19 comment re: "...We are still looking out for that bear but have not seen it again."
[]
Moderator April's August 5, 2023 16:57 comment: "There is no confirmation from Brooks Rangers of bears identity at this time."
Moderator/CamOp Massie's August 5, 2023 17:02 comment: "The mod was simply replying to remind everyone that there is no confirmation yet for 344. Ranger Naomi just told this to the mods 5 mins. ago."
I am genuinely confused as to why the moderators needed to make these comments in response to an August 5, 2023 16:38 comment sharing Ranger Naomi Boak's 16:19 comment. Ranger Naomi Boak's August 5, 2023 16:19 comment was clear that Ranger Naomi found Corisande's theory "interesting" and was going to "look up" bear 344 as a POSSIBLE identification of the bear with the snare. Ranger Naomi Boak also informed cam viewers/chatters that "We are still looking out for that bear but have not seen it again." No cam viewers commented that they thought 344 was the confirmed ID of the bear with the snare, nor did any cam viewers ask if 344's ID was confirmed as the bear with the snare. Would cam viewers/chatters unreasonably expect that in 19 short minutes an ID of 344 as the bear with the snare would have taken place/been confirmed? Would they believe that Ranger Naomi Boak alone would be determining the ID of the bear with the snare. Isn't there a large segment of the cam viewers that are knowledgeable enough to know that the mission to help this bear, as was the case with the mission to save 854 Divot, would be a team effort that would involve park staff like the bear monitor Tammy Carmack, Ranger Leslie Skora, and Ranger/Doctor Michael Saxton...all individuals with more experience than Ranger Naomi, Ranger Naomi would likely gladly defer to members of the bear management team in identifying the bear with the snare as this is obviously not an extremely "well known"/easily identifiable bear as was the case in 2014 with bear 854 Divot.
Moderator April's August 5, 2023 16:57 comment & Moderator/CamOp Massie's August 5, 2023 17:02 comment
Can Identifying This Bear Help?[]
Yes, identifying this bear can be helpful to NPS/KNP&P staff in their efforts to help this bear. In 2014 when 854 DIvot had a wolf snare around her neck, it aided NPS Biologist Grant Hilderbrand and KNP&P staff just knowing who 854 was and that she was habituated to people. As NPS/KNP&P staff were planning their mission, it was helpful knowing expected behaviors of 854 Divot as the plan was being developed.
Cam viewers went to work to assist the park service in their efforts (well, as much as they can from their electronic viewing devices). A brief look at the 2023 Unidentified Bear with the Snare did not provide much to work with so the process of possibilities and elimination began.:
One bear that comes to mind as a possibility of the 2023 bear with the wire snare is 22 "PJ". In addition to 22 PJ's resemblance to the 2023 bear with the wire snare, 22 "PJ" typically shows up around this time of year, as demonstrated in this August 2, 2022 video of 22 "PJ"'s season arrival. Thank you Mazey for catching this resemblance and timing possibility of 22 "PJ".
2 Aug 2022- 22 Arrives at Falls (explore.org)-4
22 "PJ"'s 2022 season arrival video by mckate captured on August 2, 2022
Mazey's August 2, 2023 12:37 AKDT comment re: 22 "PJ"'s resemblance and typical time of return to Brooks River
However, JG may have spotted 22 "PJ" on August 3, 2023 at the falls without a wire snare. JG captured this video:
22 arrives? (foreground) - Explore.org August 3, 2023
22 "PJ" arrives on August 3, 2023? video by JG
Another possibility could be bear 359. 359 was last (confirmed) observed in 2022 with her remaining yearling. Amy NWBearLove92 shared this July 10, 2022 photograph of 359 and her yearling. Thank you mckate for sharing this possibility.
Please request Amy's (NWBearLove92) permission PRIOR to using her photograph!
359 with her remaining yearling July 10, 2022 photograph by Amy (NWBearLove92)
JG captured this 07/14/2023 video of a bear below the falls that could possibly be 359:
Unsure - Explore.org July 14, 2023-2
Could this be 359 on July 14, 2023? Video by JG
mckate captured this 07/24/2023 video of a bear on the spit that could possibly be a 359 sighting:
24 Jul 2023- Somebear on the Spit (explore.org)
video by mckate Could this be 359?
Could the unidentified bear with the snare be a boar? Are there dangly bits? Goldilocks shared these snapshots (#1, #2, #3 & #4) and the following information (p 08/04/23 11:02):
"By no means conclusive…..I tried to get photos that showed if there were possibly “dangly bits”. Here’s the two I got, also enlargements of the possible “bit”."
Corisande has a theory that the unidentified snare bear is 344 (p 08/05/23 14:30). Corisande shared these comparison snapshots (#1, #2, #3 & #4) to support their theory.:
mckate mentioned that if this unidentified bear with the snare turns out to be 344 the bear must have gotten the snare relatively recently as 344 was fine when observed a little over a week prior to the bear with the snare being observed (p 08/05/23 16:51). 344 was observed without a snare as recently as July 25, 2023 and July 26, 2023, mckate captured videos of 344 both days:
344 on July 25, 2023 video by mckate:
25 Jul 2023- 344 Has a Look and a Scratch (explore.org)-2
video by mckate
344 on July 26, 2023 video by mckate:
26 Jul 2023- 344 Carefully Picks Thru His Fish (explore.org)
video by mckate
Males:[]
Adult Male with Large Shoulder Hump & Wound Front Right Leg Above Paw (Somewhat Resembled 18 Humphrey):[]
(Note: This bear is NOT 18 "Humphrey". 18 "Humphrey" was observed on 07/12/2023 and his lower left broken jaw is visible in the footage captured of 18)
July 2023:
2023.07.06: mckate captured this video of the adult male with large shoulder hump & wound on right front leg above paw that looked like "Humphrey" a bit.:
6 Jul 2023- Humphrey's Look-a-Like Arrives on Riffles (explore.org)
video by mckate
2023.07.07: Blair-55 created these gifs (#1, #2, #3 & #4) and captured these snapshots (#1 & #2) (p 07/08/23 05:59).
mckate captured this video:
7 Jul 2023- Humphrey's Look-a-Like Fishes the Office (explore.org)-2
video by mckate
JG captured this video.:
Is 18 back? Closer look - Explore.org July 7, 2023
video by JG
Adult Male with Limp (also seen in 2024 and 2022?):[]
July 2023:
This bear was also observed in 2022 & 2024.
2023.07.05: JG captured this video of an unknown adult bear with a limp.:
An unknown from 2022 returns with a limp? - Explore.org July 5, 2023
video by JG
mckate captured this video of the adult male with a limp on July 5, 2023.:
5 Jul 2023- Unidentified Boar Arrives (explore.org)
video by mckate
This boar was also observed on July 12, 2024. Cruiser created these gifs (#1 & #2) of the adult male with the left rear leg limp/drag (p 07/12/2024 09:13).:
Young Adult Male "Wolf Bear":[]
August 2023:[]
2023.08.27 - 2023.08.31: Could this be "wolf bear" at Margot Creek in this video by bryan fulop during the last week of August (August 27, 2023 - August 31, 2023) (uploaded to YouTube on October 16, 2023)?
Hiding Bear while fishing Margot Creek AK
Could this be 2023 "wolf bear" in this Margot Creek video by byran fulop between August 27 - 31, 2023 (last week of August)
September 2023:[]
2023.09.04: An adult male that was quickly tagged "wolf bear" appeared at Brooks Camp today. Discussion has included bears like 207 & 57 as possible ID's. 57 is a female, so it can't be her, which leaves 217 as a possible ID that has been discussed.
mckate captured this video of "wolf bear" walking up the river from Spit Road to the riffles. This bear appears to be a young adult male that is familiar with the river. You can see his dangly bits when he climbs over the log in the riffles at approximately 1:01 into the video.:
4 Sep 2023- Somebear Walks Up the River (explore.org)
"Wolf Bear" video by mckate
Blair-55 created this gif of "wolf bear" turning the corner from Spit Road headed toward the falls (p 16:53).:
Who? "Wolf bear" September 4, 2023 gif created by Blair-55 (p 16:53)
spool (aka Gabrielle Rose) captured this video of "wolf bear" in the lower river:
More of the Katmai Mystery Bear - River Watch (9-4-2023)
video by spool (aka Gabrielle Rose)
Terry Miller (sundogsNM) captured this video of the "wolf bear" near the cutbank:
04 Sep 2023- Unidentified Wolf Bear at cutbank (explore.org)
video by Terry Miller (aka sundogsNM)
Birgitt captured this video of "wolf bear" in the riffles:
Wolfie Boar By Cut Bank Blow Up 2023-09-04 20-07-27 (explore.org)
"Wolf Bear" video by Birgitt
Goldilocks, Canada shared these snapshots (#1, #2, #3 & #4) of "wolf bear" in the riffles that show dangly bits, so this bear is a male (p 17:56).:
Marie G mentioned that this 2023 season "wolf bear" sort of reminds her of a bear Kara Stenberg photographed in 2017 (p 09/04/23 23:15). Brooks Lodge's July 17, 2017 07:32 Facebook post with 2 photographs (#1 & #2) by Kara Stenberg.:
Please request Kara Stenberg's permission PRIOR to using their photographs!
Cam viewers commented on the condition of this "wolf bear's" fur/odd shedding. On August 15, 2023 13:23 Mike Fitz shared this information about molting, shedding, and new fur growth.:
"Molting and growing all your fur is energy intensive, so bears who are energetically stressed often delay shedding their fur. You see that most often in mother bears with first year cubs. They often shed their fur after other bears because they are devoting so much energy to their cubs.
Some bears shed their fur in patches (747, 83). Others shed their fur more or less a little at a time so the new fur grows in more evenly (I think that's probably what 903 did this year). 83 always seems to shed in a patchy manner so what we saw from him this year isn't unusual for him.
A bear that can't grow a new coat in mid to late summer is ill for some reason and it would be a sign of poor health."
Mike Fitz' August 15, 2023 13:23 comment re: molting, shedding, new fur growth (DCLB)
Females:[]
Sow with 1 Spring Cub 505 Maybe:[]
July 2023:
2023.07.19: At approximately 22:00 AKDT on July 19, 2023 this sow with 1 spring cub was observed. Birgitt captured this video.:
Mystery Sow & Coy First View 2023-07-19 23-00-14 (explore.org)
video by Birgitt
2023.07.20: Sow with 1 spring cubs gif created by Jami (p 15:31). Blair-55 created these gifs (#1 & #2) (p 18:59). Martina created this gif of the spring cub (505's maybe) playing with Alice (p 22:09 OT). LeafyHyrax created these gifs (#1 - too large to upload, please click here to view & #2) of the spring cub (505's maybe) playing with Alice (p 22:23 OT). Bearoplane_747 captured these strange snapshots (#1, #2 & #3) of the sow (505 maybe) and her spring cub (p 22:06 OT). Could this be 505?:
Sow with 2 Spring Cubs (26? Maybe, Cubs have significant natal collars):[]
July 2023:
Laura Gates observed this sow with 2 spring cubs on July 9, 2023.
Sow with 2 Spring Cubs (803? Maybe, Cubs have no distinctive natal collars):[]
July 2023:
2023.07.18: LeafyHyrax created these gifs (#1 & #2) of a sow with 2 spring cubs observed on the morning of July 18, 2023 (p 10:46).:
twelve22 captured this video of the sow (possibly 803) with 2 spring cubs:
Sow (Maybe 803) and Two Spring Cubs on the Spit - July 18, 2023 (explore.org)
video by twelve22
Sow with 3 Spring Cubs (Possibly THIS IS 708 Amelia per Ranger Tammy Carmack, KNP&P Bear Monitor - SEE NPS PHOTOGRAPHS BELOW):[]
September 2023:
2023.09.07: A sow with 3 spring cubs was observed on 09/07/2023. There was some speculation that this sow could possibly be 708 Amelia with her 3 spring cubs, however, not all cam viewers were in agreement on this being 708 Amelia. The sow does appear to be familiar with the Brooks River/Brooks Camp area. If this is 708 Amelia, we will in all likelihood get far more views of her and her cubs as September moves forward. If this is not 708 Amelia, maybe this family group will remain in the area and be identified by the KNP&P bear monitoring staff.
The following videos were captured of the times this sow and 3 spring cubs were observed on 09/07/2023:
mckate captured this video of the family group making their way up the river from the riffles to the bank of the falls in front of the wildlife viewing platform. The sow's teats are very visible even when she is in the riffles/cutbank area. One of the cubs appears to have a visible natal collar as the family group makes their way past the Brooks Falls Low View cam.:
7 Sep 2023- Somebear with Three Cubs Walks Up the River (explore.org)
Could this be 708 Amelia with 3 spring cubs? video by mckate
Buddy's Mom captured this video of the sow with 3 spring cubs from the Brooks Falls Low View cam:
Sow + 3 on BFL. Explore.org 9-7-23
Could this be 708 Amelia with 3 spring cubs? video by Buddy's Mom
Birgitt captured this video of the sow and 3 spring cubs passing by the falls:
Sow with 3 Coy Passes Falls Who 2023-09-07 14-20-25 (explore.org)
Could this be 708 Amelia and 3 spring cubs? Video by Birgitt
mckate captured this video of the family group fishing in the lower river:
7 Sep 2023- Somebear and Her Cubs on the Lower River (explore.org)
Could this be 708 Amelia with 3 spring cubs? Video by mckate
Cam viewers captured these snapshots and created these gifs of the sow with 3 spring cubs observed on September 7, 2023. Owl & Osprey captured these snapshots (#1 & #2) of the sow as she passed the Brooks Falls Low View cam (p 15:39). GABear created these slo-mo gifs (#1 & #2) of the sow with 3 spring cubs from the Brooks Falls Low View cam (p 17:44). Debi (Bearz) captured this snapshot of the sow in the lower river (p 18:00).:
For comparison purposes, Owl & Osprey shared this July 2023 snapshot of 708 Amelia on the spit (p 09/07/2023 15:54). If this sow with 3 spring cubs observed on September 7, 2023 is 708 Amelia, it appears that 708 may have lost weight since arrival in early season. Here are two gifs (#1 & #2) of 708 Amelia from July 21, 2023 created by Blair-55. In Blair-55's 2nd gif two of the three spring cubs appear to have visible natal collars. However, in the Brooks Falls Low View cam video footage of the sow and 3 spring cubs observed on 09/07/2023, only one of the three spring cubs appeared to have a visible natal collar.
2023.09.08: This sow with 3 spring cubs was observed on the morning of September 9, 2023, Could this also be 708 Amelia and her 3 spring cubs? Blair-55 created these gifs (#1, #2, #3, #4 & #5) of the sow and 3 spring cubs (p 08:24).:
On September 17, 2023 at 15:24, Ranger Tammy Carmack, KNP&P Bear Monitor, provided LTC with NPS photographs of 708 Amelia and her 3 spring cubs:
708 Amelia with her 3 spring cubs September 15, 2023 NPS photograph by Ranger Tammy Carmack, KNP&P Bear Monitor
(provided to LTC by Ranger Tammy Carmack with permission to share on the bearcam wiki)
708 Amelia with her 3 spring cubs September 15, 2023 NPS photograph by Ranger Tammy Carmack, KNP&P Bear Monitor (provided to LTC by Ranger Tammy Carmack with permission to share on the bearcam wiki)
708 Amelia September 17, 2023 NPS photograph by Ranger Tammy Carmack, KNP&P Bear Monitor
(provided to LTC by Ranger Tammy Carmack with permission to share on the bearcam wiki):
708 Amelia September 17, 2023 NPS photograph by Ranger Tammy Carmack, KNP&P Bear Monitor (provided to LTC by Ranger Tammy Carmack with permission to share on the bearcam wiki)
505F (Possibly 146 or Other Number):[]
July 2023:
2023.07.11: 505's female offspring (possibly 146) was observed fishing the lip. Cruiser created this gif (p 09:14).:
Sex Unknown:[]
410 Look-A-Like Bear, Sex Unknown, October 29, 2023:[]
mckate captured this video of an unknown bear that looks a lot like 410 on October 29, 2023:
29 Oct 2023- 410-Look-Alike Bear Arrives? (explore.org)
video by mckate