26 July 2021 NPS photo 2022 Bears of Brooks River book page 30
Adult Female (2022)
Year First Observed: 2019
Year Last Observed: 2023 w/2 COY - 7/9/23, 7/??/23, & 7/16/23
Known Offspring Of: Believed to be the darker 2017 offspring of 435 Holly revealed per Ranger Brooklyn White during an August 5, 2020 Play-by-Play. Note: there is no way to really confirm the link between subadults to the mother and siblings without DNA results.
Known Litters of Cubs: 1 as of 2023 Season
Genetics Study Samples Obtained: Unknown at this time
Identification:[]
26 was initially observed during the 2019 season. From the 2022 eBook, #26’s face is darker than her coat. Her ears are also dark but with a light rim. In 2021, 26 appeared to have an injured leg early in the season which seemed to heal by the fall. Mckate's ID Tips: 26 has a dark face, an upturned muzzle, and fluffy blonde ears early in the season that are just slightly blonde tipped by the fall. She also has a prominent hump and a beard that is most noticeable in the very early and late season. She has a two toned body throughout the season that varies from light to dark brown. Later in the season when she has some weight, she resembles a mini-bison. Mckate's 26 YouTube Playlist.
Distinctive Behaviors:[]
Mckate's Notes: 25 and 26 have made such infrequent appearances the last few years that they are sometimes hard to identify. I've uploaded several official photos of each to help spot them.
In 2019 and 2020, 25 and 26 were seen sporadically on all parts of the river and didn't appear to interact much with other subs.
In 2021 26 and her sis continued to make occasional appearances together. 26 had an injured back right foot in late July which hampered her mobility, but she did make it all the way to the falls on at least one occasion. Rangers report that she was healed by fall.
Life History:[]
2017: Spring Cub with 435 Holly and Littermate, 25[]
July 2017:[]
2017.07.04: In the late morning hours of July 4, 2017 , photobearsbry captured this video of 435 Holly and her two spring cubs (now believed to be 25 and 26).:
435Holly25 26 July 4, 2017 by photobearsbry-0
2019: Subadult Female, 1st Year Officially Identified[]
26 was included in the 2021 Bears of Brooks River book page 30.
26's page in the 2021 Bears of Brooks River book page 30
KNP&P Ranger Naomi Boak shared this newly identified bear's monitoring number with cam viewers on June 19, 20020 in her 13:08 comment :
July 2019:[]
2019.07.17: These 2 subadults appear to be 26 and her sibling 25, 7/17/2019 video by Erum Chad.
Bear 435 Holly's emancipated cubs sub adults RW 2019 07 17, video by Erum Chad-0
2019.07.25: 2 subadults that appeared on the closed trail on 7/25/2019 appear to be 26 and sibling 25, video by Lani H.
Subadults on closed trail 7 25 2019, video by Lani H-3
2019.07.26: 26 on July 26, 2020 NPS photo by Ranger Tammy Carmack in KNP&P's Flickr album via KNP&P Ranger Naomi Boak .:
2019.07.29: Modern Day Explorer's 7/29/2019 photo of 26.
2019.07.30: 25 and 26 play with 909 while 831 eats, 7/30/2019 video by mckate. "Holly's girls (lightest and darkest subs) are a force to be reckoned with. They are a year younger than 909 and two years younger than 831, but are almost as large."
30 Jul 2019- 25 and 26 Play With 909 While 831 Eats
Video by mckate
August 2019:[]
2019.08.01: 901 gets testy with siblings 25 and 26 in the riffles, 8/1/2019 video by Birgitt.
901 Gets Testy with the Hollys in the Riffles 2019-08-01 16-169-801, video by Birgitt
2019.08.09: 25 and 26 take on a project, digging and excavating, 8/9/2019 video by mckate.
9 Aug 2019 25 and 26 Take on a Project, video by mckate
September 2019:[]
2019.09.17: Subadult siblings 26 and 25 return to Brooks River after an abscence, 9/17/2019 video by Birgitt.
435 Holly's Subs Return to Brooks River 2019-09-17 21-09-55-782, video by Birgitt
October 2019:[]
26 October 2019 NPS photo 2021 Bears of Brooks River Book page 30
2019.10.05: 25 and 26 pass by on the closed trail, 10/5/2019 video by mckate.
5 Oct 2019 25 and 26 Pass By, video by mckate-0
2019.10.07: A nice close-up of 25 and 26 on the closed trail, 10/7/2019 video by mckate.
7 Oct 2019 25 and 26 on the Closed Trail, video by mckate-0
2020: 3.5 Year-Old Subadult[]
July 2020:[]
26 July 2020 NPS photo 2021 Bears of Brooks River book page 30
25 appears on the list of Bears Monitored in July 2020.
2020.07.15: 435 Holly's subadults 25 and 26 are seen on the spit in this 7/15/2020 video by Erum Chad.
Bear 435 Holly's emancipated sub adult cubs LR Brooks falls 2020 07 15, video by Erum Chad-1
2020.07.21: 435 Holly chases off her offspring 25 and 26 who wanted to meet her spring cub, 7/21/2020 video by Erum Chad.
Bear Holly chased off her subs who tried to meet her coy LR 2020 07 21, video by Erum Chad-0
2020.07.22: Could the first 2 subadults viewed in his 7/22/2020 video by Lani H be 25 and 26?
Who are these three under the bridge? 7 22 2020, video by Lani H-0
2020.07.23: Could the 2 subadults that approach 831 in this 7/23/2020 video be 25 and 26? 7/23/2020 video by Lani H.
3 subadults on spit road 7 23 2020, video by Lani H-0
831 play bows to 25 and 26, 7/23/2020 video by mckate.
23 Jul 2020- 831 Play Bows to 25 and 26
Video by mckate
2020.07.24: Are 25 (bright blonde) and 26 (dark) the 1st and 3rd subadults in line along with 610 in this 7/24/2020 video by Lani H.
610 with ??? and ??? 7 24 2020, video by Lani H-0
2020.07.26: 25 shows off her natal collar, 7/26/2020 video by mckate. " Her sis (26) comes in at the end."
26 Jul 2020- 25 Showing off Her Natal Collar
Video by mckate
September 2020:[]
26 September 2020 NPS photo 2021 Bears of Brooks River book page 30
26 appears on the list of Bears Monitored in Fall 2020.
2020.09.16: 26 on the lower river, 9/16/2020 video by mckate.
16 Sep 2020- 26 on the Lower River
Video by mckate
2020.09.19: Mckate's 9/19/2020 video of 26 by the bridge. "Sometimes she reminds me of a miniature bison."
19 Sep 2020- 26 By the Bridge
Video by mckate
2020.09.25: Who greets and plays with 26? 9/25/2020 video by mckate.
25 Sep 2020- Who Greets and Plays With 26?
Video by mckate
2020.09.26: 26 watches 27 dive, 9/26/2020 video by mckate.
26 Sep 2020- 26 Watches 27 Dive
Video by mckate
2020.09.29: 25 and 26 graze the spit, 9/29/2020 video by mckate.
29 Sep 2020- 25 and 26 Graze the Spit
Video by Lani H
Lani H 9/29/2020 video, 26 travels along the lower river.
26 along the river 9-29-2020
Video by Lani H
October 2020:[]
2020.10.01: 26 out near the oxbow, 10/1/2020 video by Lani H.
26 out near the oxbow
Video by Lani H
2020.10.03: 26 roams the lower river, 10/3/2020 video by Birgitt.
26 Roams LR 2020-10-03 20-39-42-227
Video by Birgitt
2020.10.04: 26 close up, 10/4/2020 video by mckate. "Good to see this cute sub getting her close up. I love her two-toned look."
4 Oct 2020- 26 Close Up
Video by mckate
26 with 719 and her 2 yearlings in the background, 10/4/2020 video by Lani H.
26 with the 719s in the background 10-4-2020
Video by Lani H
2020.10.05: 25 strolls past 26, 10/5/2020 video by mckate.
5 Oct 2020- 25 Strolls by 26?
Video by Lani H
2020.10.19: 26 Checks out the picnic area, 10/19/2020 video by mckate.
19 Oct 2020- 26 Checks Out Picnic Area (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2021: 4.5 year-Old Subadult[]
26 was included in the 2022 Bears of Brooks River book page 30.
26's page in the 2022 Bears of Brooks river book page 30
July 2021:[]
26 July 2021 NPS photo 2022 Bears of Brooks River book page 30
26 appears on the list of Bears Monitored in July 2021.
2021.07.06: 26 is seen arriving on the spit road on 7/6/2021. Video by Birgitt.
26 Returns to Spit Road 2021-07-06 13-44-44-185 explore.org
Video by Birgitt
Mckate's 7/6/2021 video of 26's arrival.
6 Jul 2021- 26 Arrives (explore.org)-2
Video by mckate
2021.07.07: 26 visits the falls, 7/7/2021 video by mckate.
7 Jul 2021- 26 at the Falls (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2021.07.08: 26 is seen up close on the low cam, 7/8/2021 video by mckate.
8 Jul 2021- 26 at the Falls (explore org)
Video by mckate
2021.07.20: 26 has an injured back leg in this 7/20/2021 video by mckate. "I think this is her sis 25, in the back. It looks like she can't put any weight on her back right leg. (ID confirmed by Birgitt).
20 Jul 2021- 26 Has an Injured Back Leg (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2021.07.22: Rick Espinoza's (shutterdad.com) 7/22/2021 photo of 26. In a 2nd 7/22/2021 photo, 26 is on the left. 26 can be seen holding up her injured back right leg in this 7/22/2021 snapshot by Judysimon0209.
2021.07.23: Blair-55's 7/23/2021 gif of 26 holding up her injured leg.
26 July 23, 2021 gif by Blair-55
2021.07.24: 26 is still having trouble with her leg, 7/24/2021 video by Itzy Holly. "Yesterday I was happy to see her walking a bit better, but today she looks like no weight put at all in the right back leg. Good news she’s eating and seems to hang around the falls so she is not walking a lot. Hopefully she will feel better soon."
26 having trouble with her leg. July 24 2021 explore.org
Video by Itzy Holly
2021.07.26: 26 is still keeping weight off her leg, 7/26/2021 video by mckate. "She looks like she's eating okay despite her disability. I hope it heals fast."
26 Jul 2021- 26 Still Keeping Weight Off Her Foot (explore.org)
Video by mckate
Itzy Holly's 7/26/2021 video, 26 walking with a lot of difficulty.
26 walking with a lot of difficulty July 26 2021 explore.org
Video by Itzy Holly
2021.07.27: 26 is seen on the right at 0:17 in this 7/27/2021 video by Itzy Holly. She is still limping. "It's been at least 6 days since she got the injury."
26 still limping July 27 2021 explore.org
Video by Itzy Holly
2021.07.29: 26 (nearest) is walking much better in this 7/29/2021 video by Itzy Holly. "She looks much better!! She was even trying to run to catch some fish and she was standing on a rock. So happy for her."
26 walking much better July 29 2021 explore.org
Video by Itzy Holly
2021.07.31-08.05: Betsy Bear's photo of 26 taken on her 7/31-8/5/2021 visit to Brooks Camp.
Please request BetsyBear's permission prior to using her photographs!
September 2021:[]
26 September 2021 NPS photo 2022 Bears of Brooks River book page 30
26 appears on the list of Bears Monitored in Fall 2021.
2022: 5.5 Year-Old Adult Female[]
July 2022:[]
26 appears on the list of Bears Monitored in July 2022.
2022.07.06: 26 is seen on the lower river on her arrival, 7/6/2022 video by Birgitt.
26 Is that You Arriving 2022-07-06 17-11-41 (explore.org)
Video by Birgitt
Mckate's 7/6/2022 video of 26's arrival.
6 Jul 2022- 26 Arrives (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2022.07.08: Mocha-SoCal shared three 7/8/2022 photos of 26 on 7/24/2022, #1, #2 and #3.
Please request Mocha-SoCal's permission prior to using her photographs!
2022.07.11: Speculated 26 enjoys a quiet moment in the riffles, 7/11/2022 gif by LunaCre.
26 July 11, 2022 gif by LunaCre
26 and the endless salmon video by Birgitt, 7/11/2022.
26 & the Endless Salmon in the Riffles Pt 2 2022-07-11 20-34-11 (explore.org)-4
Video by Birgitt
2022.07.12: Radioquiet's 7/12/2022 snapshot of 26.
2022.07.16 or prior: Photocaruso captured a 7/16/2022 or prior Instagram photo of 26. See slide 3.
September 2022:[]
26 appears on the list of Bears Monitored in Fall 2022
2022.09.18: 26 grazes around her snoozing mom (435 Holly), 9/18/2022 video by mckate.
18 Sep 2022- 26 Grazes Around Her Snoozing Mom (explore.org)
Video by mckate
26 walks the spit, 9/18/2022 video by mckate. "She still kind of looks like a little bison."
18 Sep 2022- 26 Walks the Spit (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2022.09.22: Speculated 26 pounced and caught a fish, 9/22/2022 gif by LunaCre.
26 September 22, 2022 gif by LunaCre
2022.09.24: 26 grazes near the bridge, 9/24/2022 video by mckate.
24 Sep 2022- 26 Grazes Near the Bridge (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2022.09.25: Radioquiet's 9/25/2022 snapshot of 26.
2022.09.28: 26 visits the riffles, 9/28/2022 video by Itzy LO 335.
26 visits the riffles 09-28-22 explore.org
Video by Itzy LO 355
2023: 6.5 Year-Old Adult Female with 2 Spring Cubs, 1st Known Litter:[]
July 2023:[]
2023.07.09: Could this be 26 with her two spring cubs in this July 9, 2023 photograph by Laura Gates?
2023.07.16: 26 with her 2 spring cubs, her 1st known litter video captured by mckate.:
16 Jul 2023- 26 Arrives with Her First Litter (explore.org)
video by mckate
2023.07.18: 26 brings her 2 spring cubs to the riffles in this video by mckate.:
18 Jul 2023- 26 Brings Her Cubs to the Riffles (explore.org)
video by mckate
26 brings her 2 spring cubs to the falls video captured by mckate.:
18 Jul 2023- 26 Brings Her Cubs to the Falls (explore.org)
video by mckate
26 and her two COY at the falls in this July 18, 2023 video by veeriabroadcast:
26 and 2 coys. July 18, 2023. Explore.org. Brooks falls
video by veeriabroadcast
2023.07.19: 26 runs in the riffles video by mckate:
19 Jul 2023- 26 Runs in the Riffles (explore.org)
video by mckate
2023.07.20: 26 fishes the lower river with her two spring cubs video captured by mckate:
20 Jul 2023- 26 Fishes Lower River (explore.org)
video by mckate
2023.07.21: 26 calls her 2 spring cubs down from the tree video by mckate.:
21 Jul 2023- 26 Calls Her Cubs Down (explore.org)
video by mckate
2023.07.22: 26 with her two spring cubs at the falls video captured by veeriabroadcast:
26 and coys at the falls. July 22, 2023. Explore.org. Brooks falls
video by veeriabroadcast
26 and her two spring cubs in the riffles video by veeriabroadcast:
26 and coys in the riffles. July 22, 2023. Explore.org. Brooks falls
video by veeriabroadcast
2023.07.23: 26 has a rough morning in this video captured by veeriabroadcast:
26 has a rough morning. July 23, 2023. Explore.org. Brooks falls
video by veeriabroadcast
26's larger spring cub encourages some cuddle time from their smaller sibling July 23, 2023 gif created by Owl & Osprey (p 08:28). By July 25, 2023 at 09:51 AKDT, even Charlie Annenberg had to share 26's cubs cuddle cuteness on the Explore twiitter feed; turn the sound on to hear the cub bawling. Cruiser created this gif of one of 26's spring cub playing with rocks (p 09:39).:
26 brings scraps to her 2 spring cubs in this July 23, 2023 video by mckate:
23 Jul 2023- 26 Brings Scraps to Her Cubs (explore.org)
video by mckate
2023.07.24: 26 and her two spring cubs in the riffles video by veeriabroadcast:
26 and coys in the riffles. July 24, 2023. Explore.org. Brooks falls
video by veeriabroadcast
2023.07.25: mckate captured this video of the 26 family group resting in the riffles:
25 Jul 2023- 26s Rest in the Riffles (explore.org)
video by mckate
2023.07.26: 26 takes a break from her cubs in this video by mckate.:
26 Jul 2023- 26 Takes a Break from Her Cubs (explore.org)
video by mckate
2023.07.27: 26 nurses her 2 spring cubs on the spit in this video captured by mckate:
27 Jul 2023- 26 Nurses Her Cubs on the Spit (explore.org)
video by mckate
LunaCre created this gif of 26 nursing her two spring cubs on the spit on the morning of July 27, 2023 (p 07/28/23 13:34).:
26 nursing her two spring cubs on the spit on the morning of July 27, 2023 gif created by LunaCre (p 07/28/23 13:34)
Oh_Arana created this gif of 26 was charging to defend her two spring cubs when another bear moves in the direction of the cubs (p 17:17). Blair-55 created these gifs (#1 & #2) of 26's two spring cubs (p 18:51). merry_mermaid created this gif of 26's two spring cubs (p 18:52). WinterRose captured this snapshot of 26's two spring cubs and as the youngest of 5 children, WinterRose can hear the smaller cub saying "Get Off Of Me!" (p 18:53). oregonshefisher created this gif of 26's two spring cubs (p 18:55).:
CONTENT WARNING! - SOME WIKI USERS MAY FIND THE NEXT SECTION DISTURBING
Mike Fitz, Resident Naturalist with Explore.org and Katmai Media Rangers Naomi Boak and Felicia Jimenez hosted a live chat on July 28, 2023 to discuss the death of one of 26's two spring cubs. The available footage of the death of the cub is included in the live chat, the incident is not gory or bloody, but some viewers may still find it disturbing to watch. Mike does provide a verbal warning prior to airing the footage so viewers will know when to look away or fast forward approximately 10 minutes. The incident happened at approximately 22:18 AKDT on July 27, 2023 after the wildlife viewing platforms were closed. Bear 88, a young adult male, is believed to be the bear that killed 26's spring cub.
Special thanks and comforting hugs to CamOp FunnyBunny who was the cam op on duty on the Brooks Falls and Riffles live cams at the time of the incident. CamOp FunnyBunny logged into their July 27, 2023 shift at approximately 21:09 AKDT, so just over an hour before the death of 26's spring cub took place. Lily says it well, CamOp FunnyBunny's bravery provided an opportunity for us to study and understand bear behavior (p 07/28/23 15:19 DLC).
Life and Death of Bear Cubs Live Q&A - Brooks Live Chat
Explore.org video
LunaCre created this gif of 26 and her remaining spring cub searching for the lost spring cub in the riffles on July 27, 2023 (p 07/28/23 13:34).:
2023.07.28: Gwynne created this gif of 747 charging 26's spring cub and 26 coming to her cub's defense (p 09:47). Gwynne also created this gif of 26 with her spring cub in the rain (p 10:13). Gwynne created these gifs (#1 & #2) of 26's remaining spring cub washes over the lip of the falls, but manages to clamber out safely (p 10:36).:
26 defends her spring cub from 747's pursuit in this July 28, 2023 video captured by Cruiser:
26 defends coy from 747's pursuit BF 28Jul23 explore.org
video by Cruiser
26 pirates 901's fish in this July 28, 2023 video by veeriabroadcast:
901 caught a fish, 26 took it. July 28, 2023. Explore.org. Brooks falls
video by veeriabroadcast
2023.07.29: 20 appears to be stalking 26's remaining spring cub then 26 defends her cub in this July 29, 2023 gif created by Blair-55 (p 06:18):
20 appears to be stalking 26's remaining spring cub then 26 defends her cub in this July 29, 2023 gif created by Blair-55 (p 06:18)
mckate captured this video of 20 showing interest in 26's remaining spring cub:
29 Jul 2023- 20 Shows Interest in 26's Cub (explore.org)
video by mckate
LaBelleCorisande captured this video of the encounter between 20 and the 26 family group.:
20 chases 26jr; 26 defends; happy ending 2023-07-29 c. 6-10am BF explore.org
video by LaBelleCorisande
17 (aka "505F") says hello to 26's spring cub in this July 29, 2023 video mckate captured:
29 Jul 2023- 17 Says Hello to 26's Cub (explore.org)
video by mckate
August 2023:[]
2023.08.03: Mike Fitz and Ranger Naomi Boak discuss the remains of 26's deceased spring cub at approximately 1:04:22 into the August 3, 2023 play-by-play. The body of 26's deceased spring cub was observed washing out into Naknek Lake today. More details are provided by Mike and Naomi in the broadcast below. :
Play by Play 8.3.23 - Brooks Live Chat
Approximately 1:04:22 into the August 3, 2023 Play-by-Play Mike & Naomi discuss the remains of 26's deceased spring cub
LittleBead created this artwork in Memory of 26's Deceased Spring Cub (p 10:36 August 5, 2023):
LittleBead created this artwork in Memory of 26's Deceased Spring Cub August 5, 2023 (p 10:36)
September 2023:[]
2023.09.25: Could this be 26, now as a single female without her remaining spring cub returning from her walkabout in this video captured by mckate?
25 Sep 2023- 26 Returns from Her Walkabout? (explore.org)
If this is 26, she has lost her remaining spring cub.
video by mckate
October 2023:[]
2023.10.01: 26 fishes the riffles in this video captured by twelve22. 26 has been around recently, mostly on the spit.:
(mckate's video of 26 fishing the riffles)
26 Fishes the Riffles - October 1, 2023 (explore.org)
video by twelve22
Why 26 Does Not Have an Official Nickname:[]
26 does not have an official nickname. The NPS has moved away from naming bears at KNP&P.
Known Courting & Mating:[]
Add here
Known Litters of Cubs:[]
1st Known Litter, 2 Spring Cubs[]
2023: 2 Spring Cubs. Lost 1 Spring Cub 07/27/23 killed by 88, May have Lost Remaining Spring Cub Mid-Late September 2023
26 may have returned to Brooks Camp in mid to late September without her remaining spring cub. Melissa Freels captured some photographs (9/14/23) that may be a single 26 and mckate captured a video on 9/25/23 that may be 26 without her remaining yearling.
2024:
Known Relatives:[]
435 family tree - updated Nov 2022
Mother: 435 Holly, speculated
Littermate: 25 is believed to be the second female offspring from 435 Holly's 2017 litter
Siblings from 435 Holly's other known litters:
89 Backpack is believed to be the single offspring from 435 Holly's 2006 litter
719 is believed to be the single female offspring from 435 Holly's 2014 litter
335 is believed to be the single female offspring from 435 Holly's 2020 litter
Genetics Study Samples Obtained:[]
Unknown