203 September 2021 NPS photo 2022 Bears of Brooks River Book page 33
Female Subadult
Year First Identified: 2021 as an independent 2.5 year-old subadult, 2019 year of birth
Year Last Observed: 2022
Known Offspring Of: 203 is the suspected offspring of 273 and sibling to 204 and 205. There is no way to really confirm the link between subadults to the mother and siblings without DNA results.
Litters of Cubs: None as of 2022 Season
Genetic Study Samples Obtained: Unknown
Identification:[]
203 has light rimmed ears and a lighter coat than her female sibling 204.
Mckate's ID Tips: 203 is one of those rare bears who, while she darkens somewhat, starts and ends the season blonde. She has a long straight muzzle, small wide-set triangular ears rimmed with blonde, and blonde chin hair that is longer in the fall.
Mckate's 203 YouTube Playlist.
Distinctive Behaviors:[]
203 was occasionally seen with her sibling 204.
Mckate's Notes: 203 and her siblings were emancipated in 2021. She and 204 were seen fairly frequently at the falls and in the riffles in July. It's fortunate that their mother had shown them this fishing spot as cubs, because conditions on the lower weren't good because of the high water and late fish run. Aside from a terrifying run-in she had with Grazer, 203 and her sis had some success at the falls in July. They became good scrapers profiting from the leftovers of larger bears before going on a mid-summer walkabout. They returned to the falls in September looking very well fed.
Life History:[]
2019: Spring Cub with 273 and littermates 204 and 205[]
2020: Yearling Cub with 273 and Littermates 204 and 205[]
2021: Newly Emancipated 2.5 Year-Old Independent Subadult[]
207 was included in the 2022 Bears of Brooks River book page 33
203's page in the 2022 Bears of Brooks River book page 33
July 2021:[]
2021.07.19: 203 steals a fish from 128 Grazer, 7/19/2021 video by mckate. "I think this very small sub might be a 273. This is the set up for the next video."
19 Jul 2021- 203 Steals Fish from 128 (explore.org)
Video by mckate
203 gets a severe scruff shake from 128 Grazer, 7/19/2021 video by mckate. 128 Grazer grabbed and shook 203 for just over a minute. Warning: Graphic and difficult to watch. "128 tried to warn the her away, but she'd succeeded in stealing the last fish. 203 was known to boldly take fish like this from her mom, so probably wasn't prepared for what happened next. The poor girl learned all about Grazering. It may have looked worse than it was because Grazer seemed to just have her by the scruff. She returned later looking unharmed as my next video will show."
19 Jul 2021- 203 Gets Severe Scruff Shake from 128 (VIOLENCE WARNING) (explore.org)
Video by mckate
Flyer 4477's 7/19/2021 video of the same event from both high and low cams. "Could be tough to watch when a small subadult gets taught a lesson when it tries to steal a salmon from one of 128s' yearlings. The Sub did walk away." Warning: Graphic and difficult to watch.
128 and a Small SubAdult on 2021 07 19 Courtesy of Explore.org-2
Video by flyer 4477
128 Grazer violently attacks a subadult in this 7/19/2021 video by park visitor Yongci Lu. "128 Grazer defending her catch. The young bear (less than 2.5yr) at the lower fall had successfully stole food from Grazer earlier that day. And he tried to do it again and Grazer bite him in his neck." Warning: Graphic video which may be difficult to watch.
128 Grazer defending her catch.-2
7/19/2021 video by Yongci Lu
Yongci Lu captured a 2nd 7/19/2021 video which appears to show the same subadult looking for scraps under the falls, below 128 Grazer and her 2 yearlings.
128 Grazer catching fish-2
7/19/2021 video by Yongci Lu
Cam viewers were extremely upset by what they had viewed. It was very difficult to see in real time. Explore Resident Naturalist Mike Fitz did a live chat to share his view of what had transpired between the subadult and 128 Grazer, video by Explore. Warning: Graphic and difficult to watch. Mike Fitz went through the video explaining both the young bear and 128 Grazer's behavior. A summary of Mike's comments:
Grazer Attacks Small Bear - Bear Cam Break Down (Warning Graphic)-2
7/19/2021 video by Explore
"The young bear was 2.5 maybe 3.5 years old, possibly recently emancipated and very hungry. It had earlier successfully reached up and stolen a fish from 128 Grazer. It was rewarded for the risk that it took. The subadult came back after consuming its fish off camera. It can be seen reaching up repeatedly. Grazer warned it several times by swatting at it. 128 Grazer's yearlings were stealing fish from mom. They were also very hungry. Grazer is stressed out and disciplines her own cub. The young subadult reaches up to attempt to grab fish. It gets close to Grazer's yearling.
For lack of a better word, 128 Grazer grabs the sub and is mauling it. During the violent interaction, other bears go about their business. Was the young bear injured? It probably felt pain but did not appear to have any apparent wounds. 128 Grazer appeared to grab it by the loose skin around its neck which probably prevented damage to tissue. The bear was in a vulnerable position but got a little bit lucky that Grazer wasn't able to grab any of the deep tissue. The young bear has been seen back at the falls. It hasn't approached 128 Grazer to try any of the same tactics. It is still quite bold maybe even fishing the lip of the waterfall.
This situation really did demonstrate the risk that young bears are willing to take to satisfy their hunger. It's a tough life being a young bear. You're separated from mom, you're at the bottom of the bear hierarchy. You've got to face a lot of competition in order to gain access to the salmon that will sustain you and help you gain the fat reserves necessary to survive winter hibernation."
Mckate's follow up 7/19/2021 video of 203 returning to the falls and getting scraps from 821. "And a little while later 203 returned and got some scraps from 821. Note that she did not reach up to steal the scraps. She sure learned a tough lesson from Grazer. I think that was her sis (204) and brother (205) coming in after she got her scrap."
19 Jul 2021- 203 Returns and Gets Scraps from 821 (explore.org)
Video by mckate
Possibly 203 with 205, 7/19/2021 video by mckate.
19 Jul 2021- 203 with 205? (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2021.07.21: Mckate's 7/21/2021 video of 203 and 204 at the riffles and falls. "There was a lot of debate about who these two could be, but after we saw them being chased away by their 273 it became clearer."
21 Jul 2021- 203 and 204 at the Riffles and Falls (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2021.07.22: 203 and 204 walk the lower river, 7/22/2021 video by mckate. "It was a much more hospitable place the first two years of their life. With the high water, there just aren't many good fishing spots."
22 Jul 2021- 203 and 204 Walk the Lower River (explore.org)
Video by mckate
273, 203 and 204's speculated mother reinforces emancipation, 7/22/2021 video by mckate. "This happened so fast that I also included a slo-mo version. I wonder if 273 was telling 203 and 204 not to even think about taking Grazer's fish. If so, that lesson came a little late."
22 Jul 2021- 273 Reinforces Emancipation (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2021.07.28: 203 and 204 stay clear of 708 Amelia, 7/28/2021 video by mckate. "I think 708 might have been trying to keep them back from her boy who isn't feeling well."
28 Jul 2021- 203 and 204 Stay Clear of 708 (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2021.07.31: Betsy Bear's 7/31/2021 photo of 203.
Please request BetsyBear's permission prior to using her photographs!
August 2021:[]
2021.08.02: 203 takes a break by laying below the falls platform, 8/2/2021 video by mckate. "She rested while her sis fished."
2 Aug 2021- 203 Takes a Break (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2021.08.06: Mckate's 8/6/2021 video of 806's yearling inviting 203 and 204 to the lip. "And they followed! She's good at making friends."
6 Aug 2021- 806's Girl Invites 203 and 204 to Lip (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2021.08.08: 203 and 204 pose on rocks, 8/8/2021 video by mckate. "204 seems to be losing her winter widow's peak."
8 Aug 2021- 203 and 204 Pose (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2021.08.10: 22 spies on 203 and 204, 8/10/2021 video by mckate.
10 Aug 2021- 22 Spies on 203 and 204 (explore.org)
Video by mckate
September 2021:
2021.09: 203 September 2021 NPS photo 2022 Bears of Brooks River Book page 33:
203 appears on the list of Bears Monitored in Fall 2021.:
2021 Season Official Bears Monitored List provided by Ranger Lian April 14, 2022 10:12
2021.0:9.19: 203 and 204 on the spit, 9/19/2021 video by mckate. "That would be 203 sitting and 204 swimming. These two showed up at the falls on the 20th and were more easily IDed than here on the spit."
19 Sep 2021- 203 and 204 on the Spit (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2021.09.20: A better look at 203 and 204, 9/20/2021 video by mckate. "I'm about 95% sure that the first bear who gets the spotlight is 203 and absolutely positive that the second is 204. Great to see these two girls! They look nice and plump and little more grown up. Now where is their brother 205?"
20 Sep 2021- A Better Look at 203 and 204
Video by mckate
2021.09.22: Mckate's 9/22/2021 video of 203 and 204 at the falls. "That was 204 with the fish and 203 unimpressed with the scraps her sis left her. It's so great to see these girls. Now if only their 205 would make an appearance."
22 Sep 2021- 204 and 203 at the Falls (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2021.09.23: Another look at 203, 9/23/2021 video by mckate. "Her ears are so cute from the back. They look like they've been dipped in white paint. That was her sis, 204, traipsing through."
23 Sep 2021- Another Look at 203 (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2021.09.30: 203 visits the falls, 9/30/2021 video by mckate. "'I've been telling folks that one way to distinguish 203 is that, from the back, her ears look like they've have been dipped in white paint. But from the side view I noticed that they look more like double stuffed Oreos. She's very cute girl!
30 Sep 2021- 203 Also Visits the Falls (explore.org)
Video by mckate
October 2021:[]
2021.10: 203 October 2021 NPS photo 2022 Bears of Brooks River Book page 33:
203 October 2021 NPS photo 2022 Bears of Brooks River Book page 33
2021.10.02: 203 and 204 at the falls, 10/2/2021 video by mckate. "Good to see a couple of subs who are easily IDed! They are starting to get their winter hairdos."
2 Oct 2021- 203 and 204 at the Falls (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2021.10.05: 203 is seen at the picnic area in this 10/5/2021 video by mckate. "273 and her yearlings practically lived at this spot last season, but the high water this year changed everything."
5 Oct 2021- 203 at Picnic Area (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2021.10.11: 203 walks the big island, 10/11/2021 video by mckate. "I think she was looking for her sis, who she did eventually find."
11 Oct 2021- 203 Walks the Big Island (explore.org)
11 Oct 2021: 203 Walks the Big Island (explore.org)
2022: 3.5 Year-Old Subadult[]
July 2022:[]
203 appears on the list of Bears Monitored in July 2022.:
2022 Official Bears Monitored List provided by Ranger Lian, posted by Mazey 10/31/22 09:41
2022.07.06: This appears to be 203's first day back at Brooks, 7/6/2022 video by mckate.
6 Jul 2022- 203 Arrives (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2022.07.08: 203 July 8, 2022 NPS photo by T Carmack KNP&P Flickr:
203 July 8, 2022 NPS photo by T Carmack KNP&P Flickr
2022.07.13: 203 July 13, 2022 NPS photo by T Carmack KNP&P Flickr:
203 July 13, 2022 NPS photo by T Carmack KNP&P Flickr
2022.07.16: 203 trades one scrap for another, 7/16/2022 video by mckate.
16 Jul 2022- 203 Trades One Scrap for Another (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2022.07.17: 203 July 17, 2022 NPS photo by T Carmack KNP&P Flickr:
203 July 17, 2022 NPS photo by T Carmack KNP&P Flickr
2022.07.18: A_lisa's two 7/18/2022 snapshots of 203, #1 and #2.
203 has a rest in the riffles, 7/18/2022 video by mckate.
18 Jul 2022- 203 Has a Rest in the Riffles (explore.org)
Video by mckate
203 (left) and 306 (right) hang out at the riffles, 7/18/2022 video by mckate.
18 Jul 2022- 203 and 306 Hang Out (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2022.07.21: 203 says hi to 353, 7/21/2022 video by twelve22.
203 Says Hi to 353 - July 21, 2022 (explore.org)
Video by twelve22
2022.07.22: 203 and 306 go off together, 7/22/2022 video by mckate. "You'd never know that 306 is a year younger than 203 based on their size. I wonder if they have a young sub clubhouse up the fish ladder?"
22 Jul 2022- 203 and 306 Go Off Together (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2022.07.24: 203 stands on top of the fish ladder, 7/24/2022 video by twelve22.
203 Says Hi to 353 - July 21, 2022 (explore.org)
Video by twelve22
2022.07.25: 806 chases her girl 306 and 203 who got caught up in the mix, 7/25/2022 video by mckate. "The two girls were watching 806 eat her catch which she apparently didn't appreciate."
25 Jul 2022- 806 Chases Her Girl (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2022.07.26: LunaCre's 7/26/2022 gif of 203 in the riffles.
203 July 26, 2022 gif by LunaCre
2022.07.27: 203 watches from her rock, 7/27/2022 video by mckate. "She started out pretty relaxed, then suddenly became quite intent. I hope she got a fish."
27 Jul 2022- 203 Watches from Her Rock (explore.org)-2
Video by mckate
August 2022:[]
2022.08.15: 203 gets a scrap, 8/15/2022 video by mckate. "Here's a girl we haven't seen in a few weeks. She's looking good!"
15 Aug 2022- 203 Gets a Scrap (explore.org)
Video by mckate
203 looks around while enjoying her fish, 8/15/2022 gif by a_lisa.
203 August 15, 2022 gif by a lisa
2022.08.16: 203 (left) and 354 (right) playing video by mckate:
16 Aug 2022- 203 Plays with 354 (explore.org)
Video by mckate
203 and 308 play, 8/16/2022 video by mckate.
16 Aug 2022- 203 and 308 Play (explore.org)-2
Video by mckate
2022.08.18: 203 and 208 have a play session, 8/18/2022 video by mckate.
18 Aug 2022- 203 and 208 Have a Leisurely Play Session (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2022.08.20: Ronald Woan's three 8/20/2022 photos of 203, #1, #2 and #3.
2022.08.22: 203 enjoys a big fish, 8/22/2022 video by twelve22.
203 Enjoys a Big Fish - August 22, 2022 (explore.org)
Video by twelve2
2022.08.23: Wrestlemania 203 (on top) vs. 308, 8/23/2022 video by mckate. "308 was just introduced to the rough and tumble play of a 273 girl."
23 Aug 2022- Wrestlemania 203 vs. 308 (explore.org)-2
Video by mckate
2022.08.27: 203 (and her bright ears) made a brief appearance, 8/27/2022 gif by LunaCre.
203 August 27, 2022 gif by LunaCre
2022.08.30: 203 looked around for trapped salmon, 8/30/2022 gif by LunaCre.
203 August 30, 2022 gif by LunaCre
September 2022:[]
203 appears on the list of Bears Monitored in September 2022.:
2022 Official Bears Monitored List provided by Ranger Lian, posted by Mazey 10/31/22 09:41
Note: The bear cams were offline 9/11-9/17/2022 (part of the day).
2022.09.01: 203 scavenges along the lower river, 9/1/2022 video by twelve22.
203 - September 1, 2022 (explore.org)
Video by twelve22
2022.09.02: 208 and 203 play, 9/2/2022 video by twelve22.
203 and 208 Play Together - September 2, 2022 (explore.org)
Video by twelve22
203 dives for fish, 9/2/2022 video by twelve22. "I'm pretty sure this was 203, based mostly on the ears. Her ears are pretty recognizable."
203 Dives for Fish - September 2, 2022 (explore.org)
Video by twelve22
2022.09.03: NWBearLove92's two 9/3/2022 photos of 203, #1 and #2. "ID help please…..I know these are just head shots, but I was thinking possibly 205? Update- mckate thinks it’s 203. 9/3/22."
Please request Amy's (aka NWBEARLOVE92) permission prior to using any of her photographs!
203 hangs out with siblings 307 and 308, 9/3/2022 video by mckate.
3 Sep 2022- 203 Hangs Out with Siblings 307 and 308-2
Video by mckate
203 does not want to share her fish with 208, 9/5/2022 video by twelve22.
203 Does Not Want to Share Her Fish With 208 - September 5, 2022 (explore.org)
Video by twelve22
2022.09.07: Park visitor HeyItsGary's 9/7/2022 photo of 203 eating a fish on the beach.
2022.09.11 - 2022.09.17: Note: The bear cams were offline 9/11-9/17/2022 (part of the day).
2022.09.16: 203 September 16, 2022 NPS photo by T Carmack KNP&P Flickr:
203 September 16, 2022 NPS photo by T Carmack KNP&P Flickr
2022.09.18: 203 sits on what is left of the fallen tree, 9/18/2022 video by twelve22. "You can really see how much higher the water level has gotten at the falls. This hangout/resting spot is barely above water now. It looks like 203 might have been hanging out with her friend, 708F, who appears behind her later in the video."
203 Sits on What's Left of the Fallen Tree - September 18, 2022 (explore.org)
Video by twelve22
2022.09.24: 203 September 24, 2022 NPS photo by T Carmack KNP&P Flickr:
203 September 24, 2022 NPS photo by T Carmack KNP&P Fl:ickr
2022.09.28: 203 does a quick pass by the falls, 9/28/2022 video by twelve22.
203 Passes by the Falls - September 28, 2022 (explore.org)
Video by twelve22
October 2022:[]
2022.10.05: 203 rests under the bridge, 10/5/2022 gif by LunaCre.
203 October 5, 2022 gif by LunaCre
2022.10.06: 203 stops by, 10/6/2022 video by mckate. Too bad she missed out on the sub party. She was doing some diving today around the bridge."
6 Oct 2022- 203 Stops By (explore.org)
Video by mckate
203 dives for scraps, 10/6/2022 video by mckate.
6 Oct 2022- 203 Dives for Scraps (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2022.10.10: 203 takes a quick walk by the cam, 10/10/2022 video by twelve22.
203 Walks By - October 10, 2022 (explore.org)
Video by twelve22
2022.10.12: 203 takes a short break, 10/12/2022 video by mckate. "Sometimes you can catch her diving down there."
12 Oct 2022- 203 Takes a Short Break (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2022.10.13: Another quick pass by the cam by 203, 10/13/2022 video by twelve22.
203 - October 13, 2022 (explore.org)
Video by twelve22
2022.10.14: 203 takes a shortcut, 10/24/2022 video by mckate. "Looked like she may have wanted to get out of that choppy water."
14 Oct 2022- 203 Takes a Shortcut (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2022.10.19: 203 checks out the cam side of the river, 10/19/2022 video by mckate. "As usual she was play peekaboo behind a piling on the other side, so I gave up trying to get a good video."
19 Oct 2022- 203 Checks Out the Cam Side of the River (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2022.10.20: 203 checks out the river, 10/20/2022 video by twelve22.
203 Checks Out the River - October 20, 2022 (explore.org)
Video by twelve22
2022.10.24: 203 stops by after sunset, 10/24/2022 video by twelve22. This was the last day that 203 was observed.
203 Stops By After Sunset - October 24, 2022 (explore.org)
Video by twelve22
2023: 4.5 Year-Old Subadult[]
How They Got Their Nickname:[]
203 does not have an official nickname. The NPS has moved away from naming bears at KNP&P. While waiting for an official ID number, 204 was referred to as "Davina" by bear cam viewers. This is not an official nickname.
Known Courting and Mating:[]
Add here
Known Relatives:[]
273 family tree - updated Nov 2022
Mother: 273 speculated, per page 33 in the 2022 Bears of Brooks River Book
Father: Unknown
Littermates: 204 and 205, per page 33 in the 2022 Bears of Brooks River book
Maternal Sibling: 809