261

261 July 2021 NPS photo 2022 Bears of Brooks River book page 41 — 261 July 2021 NPS photo

Adult Female

Year First Identified: 2010 as 2.5 year-old subadult

Year Last Observed: 2024

Offspring Of: 477 Sara (2008 litter )

Known Litters of Cubs: None as of the 2023 season

Darting Attempts: 261 was successfully darted in 2016

Identification:[]

2017 & 2018 Bears of Brooks River books.: 261 is a medium-large bear with a grizzled dark blonde coat that darkens to brown in the fall. Her neck is shaggy and her ears are light tipped and triangular. She has a semi-prominent shoulder hump, lacks a prominent brow, and has a flat, wide forehead. She has a dark face, particularly around her eyes. Her claws are dark. During the summer months, a small scar is visible above her tail.
2016 or Prior & Going Forward: 261 is easily mistaken for 854 Divot. 261 appears to have a natural "crease"/"part in her fur" / "scar" around her neck. 261's "part in her fur"/"scar" sits closer to her hump than 854 Divot's wire snare scar. 854 Divot's scar is up right behind her ears. 261's "crease"/"part"/"scar" can be seen in this July 7, 2016 snapshot by Mazey; 261 is on the right with 503 Cubadult on the left.

mckate's 261 playlist IDing tips: "261 has a wide, flat forehead, long straight muzzle, and blonde triangular ears set high on her head. In July her coat is dark blonde and darkens throughout the season to brown. She gets quite fat and, even in July, has a large belly that hangs low."

Distinctive Behaviors:[]

2017 Bears of Brooks River book: 261 has been observed using Brooks River every year in the fall since 2010, however in 2016 she arrived at Brooks River for the first time in early July. In early years she primarily fishes the cut bank area but has been observed fishing all areas of Brooks River during summer and fall. 261 mostly uses the "dash and grab" fishing technique. 261 has occasionally been observed playing with 503 Cubadult.
2018 Bears of Brooks River book: 261 has been observed using Brooks River every year in the fall since 2010. Having no known litters and fishing primarily in the cut bank area, this bear often goes unnoticed by bear viewers. In 2016, 261 arrived at Brooks River for the first time in early July. We cannot know the motive for her change in behavior, but her ability to be flexible and modify her seasonal movements is one example of why brown bears are such a successful species. 261 fished all areas of Brooks River during summer and fall, using mostly the “dash and grab” technique. She was occasionally seen playing with 503 Cubadult.

mckate's 261 playlist Distinctive Behaviors: "For a number of years 261 was primarily a fall bear, but now shows up in July and September. She has been known to fish from the falls to the mouth of the river."

"261 appears to be somewhat shy around other bears, however she was befriended by 503 when she was younger and was seen trying to approach some subs in 2020. She appears to be playful and good at entertaining herself."

Life History:[]

261 is the offspring of 477 Sara , born in 2008. 261 had two litter mates, 251 and 253 .

2008: Spring Cub w/ 477 Sara & Littermates 251 and 253[]

261 was a spring cub part of 477 Sara's litter that included 251 and 253.

2009: Yearling w/ 477 Sara & Littermates 251 and 253[]

261 was a yearling remaining with 477 Sara along with 251 and 253.

Could this be 477 Sara and yearlings 261, 251, and 253 in 2009 in this video by Carl Donohue?

Grizzly_bear_family_fishing — Grizzly bear family fishing

Cam viewer, Goldilocks asked Mike Fitz (former KNP&P ranger) and he weighed in with his February 25, 2018 comment : "I don't think that is 438. It's hard to tell without knowing what year it was recorded, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was from the fall of 2009. That year there were many females with cubs, but both 402 and 477 had litters of three yearlings in the fall."

2010: 2.5 Year-Old Female Subadult, 1st Year Classified, Fall Only[]

261 was first identified as an independent 2.5 year old subadult in 2010. 261 was observed in fall only.

2010.09.06: Ranger Jeanne's 9/6/2010 photos of 261 in her first year as a subadult, #1, #2 and #3.