273 with male yearling September 2016 NPS photo
Adult Female
Year First Identified: 2011 as an older subadult
Offspring Of: Not known at this time
Known Litters of Cubs: 2 (2015 & 2019)
Genetics Study Samples Obtained: 273 was successfully darted by Ranger Michael Saxton for the genetics study in 2016. There were no attempts in 2017.
Identification:
2012 Brown Bears of Brooks Camp iBook & 2014 Bears of Brooks River book (Subadults section): 273 is medium sized subadult with blonde, shaggy coat. Her ears are large and round. She has a furry face with closely set eyes.
2015 Bears of Brooks River book (Adult females section): 273 is medium-sized female with a blonde, shaggy coat. Her ears are large and round. She has a furry face with closely set eyes and dark eye rings.
2016 & 2017 Bears of Brooks River books: 273 is medium-sized female with a blonde, shaggy coat and darker legs. Her ears are large and round. She has a furry face and a large “goatee” in the summer. Her eyes are closely set with dark eye rings. In the fall, her coat is dark blonde.
Distinctive Behaviors:
2014 & 2015 Bears of Brooks River books: Based on physical appearance and behavioral traits it’s believed, but not proven, that this is the same bear formerly known as 198. Both 198 and 273 frequent the lower river, using the same areas to rest or slowly patrol back and forth for salmon. Unlike 198, 273 shows little curiosity towards human buildings or gear. While 198 repeatedly investigated and damaged objects around Brooks Camp in 2010, 273 has demonstrated disinterest in people’s belongings. It is also quite possible 198 simply outgrew her curiosity towards humans and our objects.
In 2014, 273 was often seen fishing downstream of Brooks Falls near the island and she also attempted to fish the lip of the falls with no success. She has not been identified in the fall (see 2016 & 2017 Bears of Brooks River books, it is now believed that 273 was observed in the fall, but misidentified as bear 256).
2016 & 2017 Bears of Brooks River books: n July, 273 often fishes downstream of Brooks Falls near the island and in the riffles. 273 also frequently fishes in the lower Brooks River.
For several years, 273 seemed to show little curiosity towards human buildings or gear, but that changed in 2015 when she damaged several structures at Brooks Camp. Bears are curious creatures that often investigate strange and novel objects. Human habituated bears, like 273, are more likely to find and explore human buildings and equipment, often damaging them in the process.
Brooks Camp’s location—in habitat that attracts and harbors bears—creates a high likelihood for conflict between people and bears. While 273’s behavior was unwelcome, she was simply expressing her curiosity and playfulness. Special regulations apply to Brooks River to help reduce the risk of bear and human conflicts. It is not possible or appropriate to manage the curiosity out of bears, but we can alter our behavior to reduce the chances that bears will express their curiosity on human property. When you visit Brooks Camp, be sure to give bears adequate space and do not leave anything unattended.
(Previous versions of this book noted that this bear was not seen in the fall, but bear monitoring staff now believe she was misidentified in the fall as 256.)
Other distinctive behavior observations:
273 has been observed diving for fish in both the lower Brooks River and in Naknek Lake.
Life History:
2010:
It is now believed that 273 repeatedly investigated and damaged objects around Brooks Camp in 2010, but was misidentified as bear 198 at the time.
2011: Older Subadult, Year First Identified
July 2011:
2012:
273 was included as a subadult female in the 2012 Brown Bears of Brooks Camp iBook :
July 2012:
September 2012:
2012.09.12: 273 in lower river area from lower river cam, identified by Ranger Jeanne:
2013:
July 2013:
2013.07.15: Could this be 273 in this video by eiguoc?
2013.07.24: 273 was observed on the floating bridge:
Cam viewer eiguoc captured this video :
2014: Single Adult Female
273 was included in the subadult section of the 2014 Bears of Brooks River book on page 47:
2014 Season:
In 2014, 273 was often seen fishing downstream of Brooks Falls near the island and she also attempted to fish the lip of the falls with no success.
273 used the floating bridge in 2014, opening the gate at the wedge for herself. Park visitor and cam viewer, dcmorris01, was on the lower river platform when this took place and shared the following:
"I was there that day. I was on the platform killing some time before my plane left when it happened. She (273) just came up to the gate, hit it with her paw, and it opened. She then decided to try and remove some of the fence."
Someone from Magical Adventures was also on the lower river platform that day and shared the following information:
"What a sight this was. We were on the platform across from the bridge and one of the bears went to the gate, jumped on it, shook it and it opened. The bear decided to take a stroll on the bridge. Now we know why the rangers do such a great job and tell us to walk quickly!"
Magical Adventures captured this video of 273's exploration of the floating bridge that day in 2014:
Park visitor Hermosa Paul captured this video of 273 (198) and 410:
HermosaPaul also captured this video of 273 fishing in the riffles.
A 3rd video by HermosaPaul shows 273 being hazed out of camp.
July 2014:
2014.07.10: 273 was observed at Brooks Falls. Ranger Mike helps with identifying her and other information ~ 273 will be in the adult females section of the 2015 Bears of Brooks River book. She is a smaller adult female that tends to stand her ground near other adult females.:
2015: with 1 Male Spring Cub, 1st Known Litter
273 was included in the adult females section of the 2015 Bears of Brooks River book on page 34.
For several years, #273 seemed to show little curiosity towards human buildings or gear, but that changed in 2015 when she damaged several structures at Brooks Camp.
2015 Season:
Cam viewer, Grandmaj shared this 2015 snapshot of 273 and her spring cub (809). Cruiser shared this 2015 snapshot of 273 with her spring cub 809 on 4/5/2020.
273 and her spring cub at varioius times during the 2015 season prior to September 1, 2015 highlighted in this Explore Bears & Bison video :
Cam viewer, Cruiser shared this 2015 season gif of 273 and her spring cub (809) at the falls:
2015 photo of 273 and her spring cub by Ian Stotesbury.
July 2015:
273 returned to Brooks River in July 2015 with one spring cub. She proved to be an attentive, playful mother and her cub mimicked her behavior closely. The antics of mother and cub quickly captured the attention of bear watchers at Brooks Camp and on the bearcams
2015.07.12 : 273 with spring cub video by Nancy Clark:
2015.07.14: 273 with spring cub photo by Mike Fitz.
2015.07.16: 273 with spring cub photos by Mike Fitz: Photo #1 , Photo #2 , Photo #3 , Photo #4 , Photo #5 , Photo #6 , Photo #7 , Photo #8 , Photo #9 , Photo #10 , & Photo #11
Park visitor Kenneth Kearney's photos of 273 and her spring cub: 273's spring cub (809) , 273 with her spring cub (809) , 273 with her spring cub (809) , 273 with her spring cub (809) , 273 with her spring cub (809) , 273 with her spring cub (809) , 273 with her spring cub (809) , 273 with her spring cub (809) , 273 with her spring cub (809) in background and 289 in foreground , 273 with her spring cub (809) in background and 289 in foreground , 273 with her spring cub (809) in the background and 289 in the foreground , 273 with her spring cub (809) in the background and 289 in the foreground , 273 with her spring cub (809) in the background and 289 in the foreground , 273 with her spring cub (809) in the background and 289 in the foreground , 273 in background with 289 in foreground , 273 (right) and 289 (left) , 273 (right) and 289 (left) , 273 (right) and 289 (left) , 273's spring cub (809), 273 with spring cub (809) , 273's spring cub (809) , 273 with spring cub (809) , and 273 with spring cub (809) . Kenneth Kearney also captured these photographs of 273 with her spring cub (809) on the rock.:#1 , #2 (cub sticking tongue out) , #3 (273 yawning) , #4, #5, #6 & #7 . 775 Lefty comes in close proximity to 273 and her spring cub (809) on the rock in this photo by Kenneth Kearney.
On July 17, 2016 at 14:39 Ranger Mike shared this photo of 273 with her spring cub that he took on the evening of July 16, 2015 . Please note early in the 2015 season 273 and her spring cub were thought to possibly be 39 and a spring cub. 273's identification was confirmed later in the season.:
273 with spring cub video by Cloud:
Cam viewer Scooch wrote this poem from 273's spring cub (now 809) to 273 :
"Mother ~
In my heart are many memories
of the loving things you've done.
I want to tell you that I'm thankful
for each and every one.
There is a special memory
I'd like to mention too...
Ever since I can remember
I remember loving you."
12:52: KNP&P Facebook post with July 15, 2015 photo of 273 & spring cub by Ranger Mike Fitz :
19:30: 273 and her spring cub Part 1 video by MsDebbiB:
19:40: 273 and her spring cub Part 2 video by MsDebbiB:
KNP&P video "You Wanna Piece of Me" of 273 and spring cub's interaction with 289. On 12/31/2017 Mike Fitz commented in chat regarding this video which he captured with his point and shoot camera. "I took a lot of photos this night in 2015 when 273 showed up with her cub at the falls." In answering a question as to whether he was worried observing this event, Mike responded "I wasn't necessarily worried. 273 generally seemed to keep her distance from the other bears that night, with one notable exception. In the video above, the cam just missed her charging 289 at 1:53. I was lucky enough to anticipate something might happen between the bears, so I started recording with my little point and shoot camera. This is origin of the "You wanna piece of me" video."
In this July 2015 live chat on Bear Dominance with Ranger Roy Wood and Ranger Mike Fitz they discuss spring cub 809's reaction to the above "You Want A Piece of Me" interaction between 273 and 289 at the 34:15 mark:
Cam viewer, Dicky Neely created this painting of the 273 with spring cub 809 and 273 interaction:
Late July 2015: Brooks Camp visitor Theresa Bielawski shared eleven photos of 273 and her spring cub 809 in chat on 4/17/2021, #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10 and #11. Theresa commented "Thank you Stacey and Mike for the great book club meeting. Here are some pictures I have to share of 273 & Velcro from 2015. This was from late July 2015." Please request Theresa Bielawski's permission prior to using her photographs!
August 2015:
Cam viewer, Tammya shared this August 2015 snapshot of 273 with her cub, 809.
August 2015 photo of 273 with her spring cub 809 by blackhawk32.
2015.08.06: 273 and her spring cub video by jmmcentyre:
273 and her spring cub video by park visitor Donna Archer. (1:35, possibly 500 Indy, 1:48-2:33, 402 and her quads, 2:33 to the end, 273 and 809. 273 and her cub climb trees and get in trouble in camp) .:
2015.08.08: 273 family group video by Margaret Saint Clair:
2015.08.10: 273 and her spring cub captured the attention of cam viewers. Cam viewer, Pirate Autumn captured this snapshot and created a painting from it:
2015.08.11:
Ranger Mike shares information about 273 and announces that the bear that was believed to possibly be 39 with a single spring cub is now believed to be 273 per Ranger Leslie Skora:
"Last week, the bear with the single spring cub who is often seen on the cam damaged several buildings, including an occupied ranger cabin. The bear is not 39 (like I suspected, but was never 100% sure of). According to Leslie Skora, Katmai's bear monitor, she is probably 273.
273 (page 34 in the bear ID book) has likely damaged property in the past. Bears have good memories. Even Experiences they have as cubs can stick in their minds through adulthood.
In order to prevent more property damage, we have decided to escalate our attempts to haze the bear away from buidlings. Through increased staff presence and firmer, but still relatively low level hazing techniques (like air horns and other noise makers). I believe we can adequately deter this bear from damaging any more buildings. 273 has damaged the bridge, and if she continues to do that, then rangers will attempt to haze her away from the bridge is she damages it.
Of course, the situation is complicated because 273 has a spring cub and we are concerned for its welfare too. We also have to be careful when hazing is applied near the bridge. The river is where bears find food. Therefore, hazing must be applied selectively in order to send the correct message (stop messing with the bridge) and not drive the family away from the river. Hazing is most effective when it is done in conjunction with specific place or bear behavior (like damaging a building or bridge). We will only haze her if she is damaging property or other buildings.
You might see two rangers carrying shotguns this week. One shotgun is loaded with a non-lethal round like bean bags (which are designed to bruise and sting, but not permanently hurt the bear). Policy (and bear behavior) does require a second person carry a shotgun with lethal rounds in it whenever other deterrent rounds are used. We ought not need these weapons except in extreme circumstances, but they will be carried.
If you want to read more about how bears are managed at Katmai, especially in regard to hazing, please read Katmai's bear management plan: The responsive management section beginning on page 21 is maybe most relevant to this situation .
Overall, it is far easier and safer to prevent these incidents than it is to haze bears. That's why prevention is emphasized so heavily at Brooks Camp. However, the location of Brooks Camp invites bear-human conflicts. Rangers can't patrol the area 24/7. (Just yesterday, I erected a hastily installed electric fence around a building that 273 had damaged and entered.) Anytime, we deal with conflicts at this level, I worry. I worry for bears and for the people who deal with these situations, but as long as building remain where they are, bears and people will clash here on some level."
273 and the floating bridge gate video by Juanita Roper:
273 and the floating bridge gate video by JoeBear.: (note: 273 was initially mis-identified as 39)
273 in a tree near wader sign video by Martina:
2015.08.12 - 2015.08.18: Ranger Mike provides updates the NPS staff's efforts to manage the 273 family group:
2015.08.12:
Ranger Mike's update on the 273 family group:
"273 avoided the camp area, so no action from rangers was necessary yesterday (August 11, 2015)."
Juergen gifs of 273 family group from early morning August 12, 2015 (before 08:30): Gif #1 & Gif #2 .
273's spring cub climbs a tree near the grassy knoll approximately 11:51 video by JoeBear:
2015.08.13:
Ranger Mike's update on the 273 family group:
"273 approached the buildings once or twice, but rangers did not have to haze her. Each time she approached, she turned and avoided the camp area."
273 and spring cub share a fish at the wedge of the floating bridge and then make their way to the corner video by Victoria White:
2015.08.14:
Ranger Mike's update on the 273 family group:
"No action from rangers, other than watching the bear, was necessary yesterday (August 13, 2015). This morning (August 14, 2015), 273 began chewing on the bridge. A ranger approached and clapped her hands and that broke 273's attention. In many situations at Brooks Camp, mild hazing like clapping hands is all that is necessary to gain a bear's attention and get them to stop whatever they are doing."
273 and spring cub star in this "Stop chewing that bridge!" video by JoeBear:
Juergen gif of 273 and spring cub's mild hazing by ranger.
273 nursing spring cub video by Juanita Roper (aka BirdyGirly):
273 and spring cub on spit video by Hotpepper gyrl (Rose):
2015.08.15: Ranger Michael Saxton hazes 273 from the floating bridge video by Juanita Roper (aka BirdyGirly):
Mom and Velcro encounter Ranger Michael Saxton August 15, 2015 video by Juanita Roper (aka BirdyGirly)
2015.08.16: 273 and her spring cub running in response to seeing another bear (151 Walker possibly) video by DTB.
2015.08.17:
Ranger Mike's update on the 273 family group:
"While 273 is regularly seen around the mouth of Brooks River, rangers have rarely had to take action to keep her away from buildings over past few days. Assertive body language and noise have been the only hazing techniques required when she has approached buildings. Of course, staff and visitors need to remain vigilant and exercise caution in bear country, but if we remove temptation from bears, then they are much less likely to cause property damage and park staff are less likely to have to resort to hazing the animals. Prevention is our best and most preferred tool to reduce bear-human conflicts."
273 fishes in Naknek Lake while her spring cub plays with a fish on the spit video by Juanita Roper (aka BirdyGirly):
2015.08.18:
Ranger Mike's update on the 273 family group:
"Yesterday, (August 17, 2015) 273 investigated the bridge, two buildings, and new wells drilled to monitor an old diesel fuel spill. The park’s bear technicians have expanded their work hours to keep tabs on her when she is around camp."
DTB's video of 273's spring cub playing and practicing his "when I'm a big bear" moves. (Is HE peeing at 4:26 into this video?):
Juanita Roper (aka BirdyGirly)'s video of 273 and her spring cub playing on the spit:
At approximately 12:51 273 and her spring cub walk right past the floating bridge video by Juanita Roper (aka BirdyGirly):
2015.08.19: 273's spring cub plays with a stick on the spit while 273 fishes in Naknek Lake, the 273 and her spring cub have some play time video by Lolaboo two2:
273 and her spring cub bring some of the KNP&P bear management staff through during the August 19, 2015 archaeological live chat with Ranger Mike, Linda Chism, Tommy Urban & Rob.:
2015.08.20:
273 and spring cub ~ is the spring cub attempting to catch insects / bugs? video by Juanita Roper (aka BirdyGirly):
273 and spring cub playing near lower river platform. Some of the views provided in this video by Martina suggest that the spring cub is a male:
2015.08.21:
273 diving for fish in the lower Brooks River just off the corner video by JoeBear:
273 family group gifs by Juergen: Gif #1 , Gif #2 , Gif #3 , & Gif #4
2015.08.22: 273 and her spring cub on the spit at sunrise video by Victoria White:
2015.08.23: 273 with her spring cub and 151 Walker video by Victoria White:
September 2015:
2015.09.??: 273 and her spring cub in camp being chased away by a Ranger and causing a commotion during dinner video by Stephen B.
2015.09.12: 273 with her spring cub photo by Mike Fitz.
2015.09.13: 273 napping with her spring cub photo by Mike Fitz.
273 and her spring cub resting on the lower river, 9/13/2015 video by Explore Recorder.
2015.09.15: 273's spring cub eating fish on floating bridge deck and then joins 273 in the river video by Juanita Roper (aka BirdyGirly):
2015.09.18: 273 family group near floating bridge in the early morning video by Martina:
2015.09.20: 273's spring cub scratching on wader sign video by IslandDunesGirl:
273's spring cub video by JoeBear: (longer version than the one above by IslandDunesGirl)
2015.09.22:
273, her spring cub, and the live fish video by Martina:
273 family group video by Juanita Roper (aka BirdyGirly):
16:50: 273 family group video by MsDebbiB:
273 and spring cub photo by Mike Fitz.
Courtneyexplore shared this September 22, 2015 gif of 273 and the wader sign. Carla J shared this snapshot of 273 and her spring cub (809):
2015.09.23: Joe Bear's video taken during a live chat. 273 eats the sign....and Mike Fitz tries not to chuckle too much as he explains her curiosity for human objects. 273's spring cub (809) chases magpies..
Explore captured a highlight video of the same event when 273 and her spring cub tore into a sign.
2015.09.24:
273 and spring cub playfight video by Mike Fitz:
273 and spring cub video by Martina:
Pine Butte's snapshots of 273 and her yearling, #1, #2, #3 and #4.
2015.09.27: 273 and her spring cub eating fish in the lower Brooks River video by Martina:
2015.09.28:
273's spring cub's race against the machine video by DTB:
Juanita Roper (aka BirdyGirly)'s video (longer version than DTB's above video):
2015.09.30: 273 and spring cub video by JBirdyHome:
October 2015:
2015.10.14: 273 and her spring cub walk across the floating bridge video by Mickey Williams:
Video by Martina:
2015.10.17: 273 and her spring cub meet 435 Holly and her adopted 2.5 year-old cub (503 Cubadult) and her biological yearling (719) in this video by JoeBear:
435 Holly, with her biological female yearling (now 719), and her adopted 2.5 year-old male cub; and 273 with her spring cub (now 809 ) video by Mickey Williams:
2015 & 2016:
2015 & 2016 Seasons:
Park visitor, Kenneth Kearney captured photos of 273 and her 2015 spring cub / 2016 yearling during his trips to Brooks Camp in both seasons. Kenneth created this album with photos from both trips. Kenneth shared this information about the album:
"This album shows the bear known as 273 and her cub "Velcro" from my trips to Brooks Falls in 2015 and 2016. These photos show how quickly cubs grow and a few of the dangers they face to get there. The many bears who return annually to the Brooks River have allowed scientists and bear watchers to view bears from cubhood to adulthood."
2015 vs 2016:
2015.09.22 vs 2016.07.06: On September 22, 2015 273 knocked down the wader sign. One July 6, 2016, yearling 809 knocked down the same wader sign. Explore captures both of those wader sign events in this highlight video .:
Explore posted a highlight video on September 28, 2016. "Velcro Still Hangin On To Mom" shows 273's cub (now 809) hanging on to 273 in both July of 2015 and September of 2016.
2016: with 1 Male Yearling from 2015 Litter
273 was not only included in the adult females section of the 2016 Bears of Brooks River book on page 41, but she and her male spring cub graced the cover:
2016 Season:
Cam viewers captured snapshots of 273 and yearling (809) from the 2016 season which they shared in chat on 4/5/2020. CarolineB shared a painting of 273 and her yearling 809, inspired and used with permission from Carla Farris. Olddude shared a 2016 snapshot of 273 and yearling 809, 4/5/2020. Naomi Boak shared a 2016 snapshot of 273 and yearling 809 on 4/5/2020. Cruiser shared a 2016/2017 snapshot collage of 273 and yearling 809 in 2016 and 273 in 2017 on 4/5/2020. Amanda shared a 2016 photo/sketch collage of 273 and yearling 809 on 4/6/2020.
273 and her yearling (809) playing with construction material video by Mike Fitz:
273 nurses her yearling (809) video by KNP&P:
Alaska's Gold Creek Lodge's photo of 273 and yearling 809.
June 2016:
2016.06.25: A short morning appearance by 273 and her yearling 809, 6/25/2016 video by Erum chad.
2016.06.28: 273 with her yearling cub (809) snapshot shared by Scooch :
July 2016:
Cam viewer and park visitor, ScottHM captured these photos of 273 and her yearling (809) during his trip to Brooks Camp.: Photo #1 & #2 . ScottHM also captured this photo of 273 standing ScottHM later shared this photo of 273 and yearling, 809 .
2016.07.05: 273 and yearling (809) at the below the falls platform snapshots (#1 & #2) by Bookmom . Bookmom recalls that :when 273 was wet from trying to catch a fish she looked so small at first people thought both bears were young subs. Both were so hungry.".:
2016.07.03 & 2016.07.04: Bookmom shared these July 3, 2016 and July 4, 2016 snapshots (#1 & #2 ) of 273 with yearling (809) near the floating bridge.:
2016.07.06 or PRIOR: 273 and yearling (809) highlight video by Explore.:
2016.07.06: 708 Amelia with her 2 yearlings and 273 with her yearling in the lower river area at approximately 15:00 AKDT video by Mickey Williams.:
Courtneyexplore shared this July 6, 2016 gif of 273's yearling (809) and his adventure with the wader sign. Courtney shared that: "I always love how he misses the first time, has an unsatisfying second hit, and still goes in for a third, all while trying to make it an effortless drive-by swap."
2016.07.09 or PRIOR: Park visitor Glenn LeMay captured this video of 273 and her male cub and provided this description of their observations.:
"The best attraction at Brooks Camp is the viewing of the bears at Brooks Falls, which is a 1.2 mile hike from Brooks Camp through bear country, including crossing over a floating bridge at the Brooks River. When the bears show up near the bridge, a "bear jam" is created, halting all foot traffic across the bridge (coming and going), sometimes for hours. That's when the "bear techs" are called in (park rangers specially trained to haze bears) to try to clear the area so the camp residents can get to/from camp. After the bear tech hazed this female and cub away from the bridge (about 50 yards away), foot traffic was allowed to resume across the bridge, after only a 20 minute delay. Shortly thereafter, however, the bears returned to the area and refused to leave, leaving dozens of camp residents stranded on either side of the bridge for almost three hours that afternoon."
2016.07.12: 273 with her yearling 809 fishing the riffles photo by Anna-Marie_AZ:
Please request Anna-Marie's permission prior to using her photograph!
2016.07.15: 273 and her yearling (809) at the falls in the early morning video by Erum Chad (aka Erie):
Cam viewer KCanada shared this snapshot of 273 with her yearling 809.:
2016.07.16: Truman Everts captured these photographs of 273 with her yearling (809); "How to Snorkle" (p 09/02/16 16:25).
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
2016.07.16 - 2016.07.21: Truman Everts captured this photograph of 273 with her yearling (809) (p 08/27/16 11:47). Truman Everts captured these photographs of 273 with her male yearling (809) and 273's fish that he got away with (p 08/30/16 15:56). Truman Everts captured this photograph of 273 with her yearling (809) (p 09/07/16 11:34). Truman Everts shared this 7/19/2016 photo of 273 and her yearling 809 on 5/10/2020. Truman Everts shared a 7/19/2016 photo of 273 and yearling on 3/28/2021.
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
2016.07.19: 273 with her yearling 809 photo by Anna-Marie_AZ. Truman Everts shared photos of 273 and her yearling 809 on 4/2/2020, photos #1 and #2.
Please request Anna-Marie's permission prior to using her photograph!
Truman Everts captured this photograph of 273 and her yearling (809) on July 19, 2016 (p 08/28/16 18:37).:
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
EricsXtremeVideo captured 273 and her yearling (809) on the beach, 7/19/2016. They can be seen at 5:42 as Ranger Kristen moves visitors away from them.
Brooks Camp visitor delphinusorca captured a photo of 273 and her yearling cub standing by the island at Brooks Falls on7/19/2016. That yearling is now believed to be 809.
August 2016:
2016.08.02: Yearling 809, 8/2/2016 photo by Matthias Serfling.
2016.08.07: 273 on the underwater live cam snapshot by Bookmom .:
September 2016:
2016.09.12: 273 and yearling 809 in the lower river video by Erum Chad (aka Erie).:
2016.09.16: Standoff between 273 and yearling and 402 and her two yearlings video by Melissa Freels:
2016.09.28: 273 and yearling damage the lower river wildlife viewing platform and have a play session video by Donna T. Bennett (aka DTB):
2016.09.29: 273 and yearling meet 132 and her 3 yearlings video by Erum Chad:
273 charges 804 "Little Lip Fisher" video :
As the sun went down and the live cam switched over from color to black and white, Susan Tunstall captured this video of 273 nursing yearling, 809:
Explore org Katmai Lower River Cam Mother Nursing Cub 273 & 809 September 29, 2016 by Susan Tunstall
October 2016:
2016.10.??: 273 and yearling 809 on the lower river, October 2016 video by flyer 7474.
2016.10.03: Kerstin59 shared these snapshots (#1 & #2 ) of 273 with her yearling (809).:
2016.10.05:
273 and yearling meet 854 Divot and 3 spring cubs video by Erum Chad (aka Erie):
2016.10.06:
273 and her yearling and the lower river platform video by Melissa Freels:
The further adventures of Velcro and Mom 273 and Cub at the Platform, October 6, 2016 video by Melissa Freels
273 family group chewing on the lower river platform video by Erum Chad (aka Erie):
2016.10.07: 273 with yearling (809) snapshots (#1 & #2 ) by Bookmom .:
2016.10.08:
273 and her yearling taking over the lower river platform video by Melissa Freels:
Ratna Narayan's video :
273 and yearling (809) playing video by LuvBears.:
273 and yearling adventures diary video by Erum Chad (aka Erie):
2016.10.13 - 2016.10.29: Bookmom shared these snapshots (#1 , #2 , #3 , #4 , #5 & #6 ) captured between October 13, 2016 and October 29, 2016:
2016.10.24: KimBear17 shared these 10/24/2016 snapshots of 273 and yearling 809 on 4/5/2020, #1, #2 and #3.
November 2016:
2016.11.03: This is the last day 273 and her yearilng (809) were observed together on the live cams. 273 and yearling (809) in the lower river video by Erum Chad (aka Erie),:
Bear 273 and yearling cub Velcro Brooks falls Katmai 2016 11 03 17 40 10 635 by Erum Chad (aka Erie) (273 & 809)
Bookmom shared these snapshots (#1 & #2 ). They were seen heading up from the LR and then appeared in the river beyond the riffles on the Falls cam. Then they went up the cut bank and across in front of the ranger's observation chair , Velcro following 273 and out of sight.:
LuvBears captured this video of 273 and her yearling (809) that fall day:
Flyer 7474's 11/3/2016 video of 273 and yearling 809 at the cutbank, on the last day they were seen.
2016.11.25: A Mike Fitz blog from 2016, titled Bears Have Long Memories , where he discusses learned behaviors as it relates to the escapades of 273 and her 2015 offspring, 809.
2017: Single Adult Female
273 was included in the adult females section of the 2017 Bears of Brooks River book on page 46:
2017 Season:
June 2017:
2017.06.22: 273 walking by the visitor center via Ranger Dave's June 23, 2017 08:42 comment . Ranger Dave also shared this photo of 273.
2017.06.25: 273 being courted by an unidentified boar (603 or 801?) video by Melissa Freels.:
June 25, 2017 photo of 273 by Melissa Freels.
Please request Melissa Freels' permission prior to using her photographs!
273 eating a fish video by Cheryl B:
273 video by Brenda D:
A cam viewer captured this snapshot of 273 and another bear (274 Overflow maybe?):
2017.06.25 - 2017.06.28: Bookmom shared these 273 snapshots (#1 , #2 , #3 , #4 , #5 & #6 ) captured between June 25 - 28, 2017.:
2016.06.26: At approximately 21:05 Alaska time, Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA) captured this video of 273 moving for 634 Popeye.:
2017.06.27: 273 fishing the lip of the falls video by November Rain:
273 fishing in the far pool video by Ratna:
A cam viewer captured this snapshot of 273 standing on the rock in the far pool:
2017.06.28: At approximately 16:50 into this Explore Recorder video 273 comes into view. At approximately 54:54 603(?) or 801(?) can be seen attempting to get close to 273..:
At approximately 4:59 into this video by Ratna, 273 comes into view below the falls on the platform side of the river.:
273 charging who (503 Cubadult maybe?) in this video by birdnerd57:
July 2017:
2017.07.11: 32 Chunk displaces 755 Scare D. Bear, 273 and 700 Marge (maybe 700?) video by Melissa Freels:
Kcanada shared these snapshots (#1 , #2 & #3 ) of 273 taken July 11, 2017:
2017.07.12: Brenda D's video of 634 Popeye courting 273:
634 Popeye courting 273 video by Melissa Freels:
At approximately 21:50 634 and 273 near the riffles platform video by Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA):
Birgitt shared 7/12/2017 snapshots of 634 Popeye courting 273 on 4/5/2020, #1, #2, #3 and #4.
2017.07.15: 32 Chunk, 273, and 151 Walker video by Brenda D.:
Cam viewer Bearly shared this photo of 273 taken July 15, 2017:
2017.07.16: 273 and 151 Walker get grazered by 128 Grazer with her 3 yearlings in tow video by Erum Chad (aka Erie),:
2017.07.18: Katmai Terrance blog: Subadult Summer by Ranger David Kopshever where Ranger Dave says "273 returned to camp without her cub, indicating that he may have been emancipated as well."
August 2017:
2017.08.01: 273 (?) gets grazered by 128 Grazer [http:// https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVdpFWB-DAU video] by Cheryl B:
September 2017:
2018: Single Adult Female
273 was included in the 2018 Bears of Brooks River book on page 45:
2018 Season:
Cam viewer, JG shared these 2018 season snapshots (#1 , #2 , #3 , #4 , #5 , #6 , #7 , #8 & #9 ) of 273:
July 2018:
2018.07.12: Lani H captured video of a sow believed to be 273, 7/12/2018.
2018.07.13: Is this 273 at the falls? 7/13/2018 video by Lani H.
856 follows 273 up the far path, 7/13/2018 video by Lani H.
Lani H captured 7/13/2018 video of 856 following 273 once again down to the riffles.
September 2018:
2018.09.28 18:38: Xander-Sage-2 created this gif of 273.:
273 returns to the river, 9/28/2018 video by mckate.
CamOp Scout captured this 9/28/2018 snapshot of 273.
2018.09.29: 273 charges 806 "Little Lip Fisher" video by Birgitt.:
273 charges 806, 9/29/2018 video by mckate.
273 and 806 (not 804) have words then 806 sits by the bridge gate, 9/29/2018 video by Lani H.
October 2018:
2018.10.04: 273 passes 94 and her cubs video by Birgitt :
Erum Chad captured 10/4/2018 video of 273 on the spit.
2018.10.07: Lani H captured 10/7/2018 video of a large bear on the spit. Is this 273?
2019: Adult Female with 3 Spring Cubs, 2nd Known Litter, Smallest is Female, Middle-sized is Female
2019 Season:
Deanna Dittloff (aka deelynnd) created a June and July, 2019 video of 273 and her 3 spring cubs.
Deanna Dittloff (aka deelynnd) also created a September and October, 2019 video of 273 and her 3 spring cubs.
273's smallest spring cub is a female. 273's middle-sized spring cub is a female. Mazey's October 16, 2019 11:23 comment .:
2019.??.??: Deon Mitton captured footage of 273 and her 3 spring cubs that can be seen at 1:43 into this video .:
2019.??.??: Kevin captured video of 273 and her 3 spring cubs early in the 2019 season. The family can be seen at 0:00, 0:15, 0:32, 2:05 and 2:11.
2019.??.??: 273 and her 3 spring cubs are seen walking along the beach in this 2019 video by Martin Kirsten.
Tom Fenske Photography captured 5 photos of 273 and her 3 spring cubs, probably early in the season. Photos #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5.
Jen Hall captured this photograph of 273 and her 3 spring cubs in the 2019 season.
273 and her 3 spring cubs are seen briefly at 1:21 and 1:36 in this 2019 video by Artist Greg Arbutine.
CarolineB shared 2019 snapshots of 273 and her 3 spring cubs on 4/5/2020, #1, #2 and #3. Xander-Sage-2 shared these 2019 art snapshots of 273 and her 3 spring cubs on 4/5/2020, #1 and #2. Amanda shared this 2019 sketch of 273 and her 3 spring cubs on 4/6/2020.
Scooch shared this poem and GIF of 273 and her 3 spring cubs on 4/6/2020.
.jpg "273 and 3 spring cubs 2019 poem posted by scooch ((paraphrase of a vintage Buzza Motto).jpg (85 KB)")
July 2019:
2019.07.??: This video by Kevin Forey appears to be from July, 2019. 273 and her 3 spring cubs can be seen at 0:00, 0:15, 0:31, 0:55, 2:04 and 2:10.
This Daniel Coller video appears to be from July, 2019. 273 and her 3 spring cubs can be viewed from 0:54-1:04, 2:37-2:45 and 2:50-3:02.
Wilde Weite Welt captured video of 273 and her 3 spring cubs in July 2019. The family can be seen resting on the lower river, the cubs nursing and the family fishing, 0:00-0:3:08.
TRAUMHAFT Braunbären-Mutter mit 3 niedlichen Jungtieren - Wonderful Bear Mom with three cubs, video by Wilde Weite Welt
In a 2nd video by Wilde Weite Welt, 273's 3 spring cubs are seen playing on the lower river from 3:11-4:10.
ACTION Lachs fischende & kämpfende Braunbären am Brooks Falls Teil 2 - Brown bears at Brooks Falls, video by Wilde Weite Welt-0
2019.07.??: Cruiser captured this July 2019 gif of 273, "I know there's something under there, if I could just move this boulder! "
2019.07.08: 273 returned to the Brooks River with her 2nd known litter, 3 spring cubs. Video by Lani H.:
273 and her 3 spring cubs were also observed traveling from the gravel bar, past the point and toward the corner. Video by Lani H.:
273 returns with 3 spring cubs, 7/8/2019 video by mckate.
2019.07.11: 273 July 11, 2019 NPS photo by Ranger Tammy Carmack KNP&P Flickr.
2019.07.14: 273's smallest spring cub holds her own in wrestling matches with its siblings, 7/14/2019 video by Birgitt. The smallest cub is believed to be female.
2019.07.15: 273's spring cubs wrestle on the closed path, 7/15/2019 video by Birgitt.
Flyer 7474's 7/15/2019 video of 273's "Cubs Being Cubs."
2019.07.17: Flyer 7474's 7/17/2019 video, "Bounce along with the 273's." 273's cubs run along while following mom.
2019.07.20: 273 eats with a lot of assisstance, 7/20/2019 video by mckate.
Lani H captured 7/20/2019 video of 273's cub trying to get a piggy back ride.
2019.07.21: Cruiser shared this 7/21/2019 art snapshot of 273 and her 3 spring cubs on 4/5/2020.
2019.07.22: Scooch shared this 7/22/209 snapshot of 273 and her 3 spring cubs on 4/5/2020.
273 nurses her spring cubs on the spit, 7/22/2019 video by Birgitt.
2019.07.23: 273 shows great patience with her tiniest cub, 7/23/2019 video by mckate.
2019.07.24: In this 7/24/2019 video by mckate, 273's cubs tree themselves.
2019.07.25: Scooch created these gifs (#1 & #2 ) of 273 and her 3 spring cubs (p 01/28/2020 01:13 ).
(Wiki would not permit gifs to be added to gallery. Files may be too large 2020.01.29. Gif #1 18.9 MB, Gif #2 19.4 MB ~ LTC)
2019.07.26: NSBoak (aka Ranger Naomi Boak) shared a 7/26/2019 photo of 273's 3 spring cubs on 3/28/2021. NSBoak commented "Her (273's) trio of spring cubs checking out the Valley Bus' tires and mud flaps. Early mischief training in 2019."
Please request NSBoak's (aka Ranger Naomi Boak) permission prior to using her photographs!
.jpg "273's 3 spring cubs July 26, 2019 NPS photo by NSBoak (aka Ranger Naomi Boak).jpg (311 KB)")
2019.07.28: 719 with 2 spring cubs and 273 with 3 spring cubs co-exist at the elbow, 7/28/2019 video by Birgitt.
2019.07.31: 273 and her 3 spring cubs on closed trail video by Lani H.:
August 2019:
2019.08.01: 273's spring cubs play with a small tree, 8/1/2019 video by Lani H.
2019.08.02: 273 and her cubs are seen on the closed trail, 8/2/2019 video by Lani H.
Birgitt captured 8/2/2019 video of 273 and her 3 spring cubs on the spit. The cubs are seen chewing on and playing with the boat ropes.
2019.08.02-08.05: Kacko and Goof_n captured an 8/3/2019 photo of 273 and her 3 spring cubs on the lower river. The photo was taken during their 8/2-8/5/2019 trip and shared in chat on 4/5/2020. Goof_n shared a 8/3/2019 photo of 273 and her 3 spring cubs on 3/28/2021.
Please request Kacko & Goof_n's permission prior to using their photographs!
September 2019:
2019.09.??: Melissa Freels captured this September, 2019 video of 273 and her spring cubs at Margot Creek.
2019.09.16: 273 and her 3 spring cubs feeding on the lower river, 9/16/2019 video by Lani H.
2019.09.17: 273 and her 3 spring cubs can be seen feeding on the lower river in this 9/17/2019 video by Birgitt.
2019.09.18: Lani H filmed video on 9/18/2019 of 273's 3 spring cubs wrestling on the closed path on a rainy day.
Birgitt captured 9/18/2019 video of 273 and her 3 spring cubs feeding by Naknek Lake.
2019.09.21: 273 nursing and playing with her spring cubs video by Arlene Beech.:
Lani H's video of 273 nursing her cubs, 9/21/2019.
273 scratching her ear while napping with her 3 spring cubs gif created by Cruiser .:
Is 273's smallest of her 3 spring cubs a female? Video by McKate. McKate says "You have to look closely to see the two little squirts!".:
273 sleeps (long version), 9/21/2019 video by mckate.
273 sleeps (short version), 9/21/2019 video by mckate.
2019.09.22 08:48 or PRIOR: Kara Stenberg's photos of 273's three spring cubs (#1 , #2 & #3 ) posted with Brooks Lodge's September 22, 2019 08:48 Facebook post .:
Please request Kara Stenberg's permission prior to using her photos!
2019.09.25: 273 with her 3 spring cubs and 708 with her 2 spring cubs met up on the spit on 9/25/2019, video by Birgitt. Note: Could the sow on the right have been 94 with yearlings? See note below with Lani H's video.
Lani H's video of the same event is titled "273 and coy meet 94 and yearlings." Note: There are 3 spring cubs with 273 on the left. The sow on the right appears to have 94's head/muzzle shape but only 2 yearlings are seen. The 3rd yearling could have been out of the frame. It is hard to know for sure who the 2nd sow and cubs are.
2019.09.30: The 273 family group and the 171 family group meet on the lower river video by Arlene Beech (aka Homebird).:
When bear cubs meet! Lower river cam. 30 September 2019 by Arlene Beech (aka Homebird) 273 with 3 spring cubs & 171 with 1 spring cub
Lani H also recorded the interactions between 171's cub and 273's 3 cubs in a 9/30/2019 video. "This trail isn't big enough for all of us, 273's and 171's coys rumble."
This trail isn't big enough for all of us, 273's and 171's coys rumble ;) 9 30 2019, video by Lani H
Birgitt also captured 9/30/2019 video of 171's cub "baby bluff charging."
October 2019:
2019.10.01: 273 and spring cubs near the bridge, 10/1/2019 video by Lani H.
Birgitt also captured 10/1/2019 video of 273's cubs playing under the bridge.
2019.10.06: Lani H captured 10/6/2019 video of 273 and her 3 cubs resting and playing near the bridge.
2019.10.07: A very frosty morning for 273 and her 3 spring cubs on the closed trail, 10/7/2019 video by Lani H.
Birgitt also captured 10/7/2019 video of 273 and cubs frosty morning on the closed trail.
2019.10.09: Lani H captured 10/9/2019 video of 273's cubs resting and playing on the closed trail before joining 273 to fish.
2019.10.10: 273 and her 3 plump spring cubs were last observed on the cams on 10/10/2019. The family was seen snorkeling and fishing on the lower river, video by Lani H.
Note: The Lower River East Cam was turned off on 10/1/2019 so there was no view of the spit. LR, RW and the UW cam were turned off on 10/10/2019. Sows and cubs may have still been at Brooks Camp after those dates.
2020: Adult Female with 3 Yearlings, the 2 Smallest are Female
273 was included in the 2021 Bears of Brooks River book page 39.
2020.??.??: Deanna Dittloff (aka deelynnd) created two 2020 videos of 273 and her 3 yearlings from the 2020 season, #1 and #2.
Bear 273 and Cubs 2020:
Bear 273 and Cubs Part 2 2020:
June 2020:
2020.06.17: Bear 273 returned to Brooks Camp with 3 yearlings on 6/17/2020 . Ranger Naomi Boak stopped in chat to deliver the good news. She shared 2 photos, #1 with 273 alone and #2, 1 of 273's 3 yearlings.
"Afternoon NEWS ALERT. Bear 273 was just seen with all 3 yearlings here in the middle of camp. She's a little skittish at this point, so I was not able to get pictures of her and all her cubs, but here is one picture of her and of one cub."
2020.06.24: Blair-55 created these gifs (#1 & #2 ) of 273 with her 3 yearlings in the lower river (p 06/24/2020 15:50 ).:
FrogsOn captured this snapshot of 273 and her 3 yearlings in memory of Juergen ♥ (p 06/24/2020 17:49 ).:
Lani H captured this video of 273 and her yearlings.:
273 and her 3 yearlings on the lower river, 6/24/2020 video by Ratna Narayan.
2020.06.25: 273 and her yearlings near the bridge, 6/25/2020 video by Lani H.
273 and her yearlings arrive, 6/25/2020 video by mckate.
273 and her 3 yearlings at the falls, 6/25/2020 video by Ratna Narayan.
Lani H 6/25/2020 video.
2020.06:26: 273 and her 3 yearlings and 634 Popeye at Brooks Falls, 6/26/2020 video by Ratna Narayan.
273 and her 3 yearlings at the falls part 2, 6/26/2020 video by Ratna Narayan
2020.06.29: Ratna Narayan captured 2 videos of 273 and her 3 yearlings at the falls on 6/29/2020.
#1 video:
#2 video:
2020.06.30: 273 nurses her yearling cubs on the point as 435 Holly and her spring cub pass by, June 30, 2020 gif by Née BP.
July 2020:
2020.07.01: 273 and her 3 yearlings on the far bank at Brooks Falls, 7/1/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.07.07: 273 and yearlings scavenging in the riffles, 7/7/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.07.08: 273 and yearlings near the oxbow, 7/8/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.07.13: Meet and Greet between the 94's and 273's, 7/13/2020 video by Lani H.
Ranger Naomi Boak shared a 7/13/2020 photo of 273 and her 3 yearlings.
Please request NSBoak's permission prior to using her photographs!
.jpg "273 and 3 yearlings July 13, 2020 NPS photo by NSBoak (aka Ranger Naomi Boak).jpg (1.2 MB)")
2020.07.15: 273 and yearlings are snorkeling on the lower river, then her yearlings chase a subadult, 7/15/2020 video by Lani H.
273 and yearlings snorkeling on the lower river, then her yearlings chase a subadult 7 15 2020, video by Lani H
2020.07.16-07.17: Cam viewer Lee Pastewka (aka RiverPA) captured multiple photos of 273 and her 3 yearlings on her visit to Brooks Camp, #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11, #12, #13, #14 and #15.
Please request Lee's (aka RiverPA ) permission prior to using her photographs !
_.01.jpg "273 July 17, 2020 photo by Lee Pastewka (aka RiverPA) .01.jpg (606 KB)")
_.02.jpg "273 July 17, 2020 photo by Lee Pastewka (aka RiverPA) .02.jpg (765 KB)")
_.03.jpg "273 July 17, 2020 photo by Lee Pastewka (aka RiverPA) .03.jpg (429 KB)")
_.04.jpg "273 July 17, 2020 photo by Lee Pastewka (aka RiverPA) .04.jpg (565 KB)")
_.05.jpg "273 July 17, 2020 photo by Lee Pastewka (aka RiverPA) .05.jpg (845 KB)")
_.06.jpg "273 July 16, 2020 photo by Lee Pastewka (aka RiverPA) .06.jpg (645 KB)")
_.07.jpg "273 July 17, 2020 photo by Lee Pastewka (aka RiverPA) .07.jpg (803 KB)")
_.08.jpg "273 July 17, 2020 photo by Lee Pastewka (aka RiverPA) .08.jpg (1,022 KB)")
_.01.jpg "One of 273's three yearlings July 17, 2020 photo by Lee Pastewka (akaRiverPA) .01.jpg (881 KB)")
_.01.jpg "273 and 1 of 3 yearlings July 17, 2020 photo by Lee Pastewka (aka RiverPA) .01.jpg (555 KB)")
_.01.jpg "273 and 3 yearlings July 17, 2020 photo by Lee Pastewka (aka RiverPA) .01.jpg (688 KB)")
_.02.jpg "273 and 3 yearlings July 17, 2020 photo by Lee Pastewka (aka RiverPA) .02.jpg (691 KB)")
_.01.jpg "273 and 2 of 3 yearlings July 17, 2020 photo by Lee Pastewka (aka RiverPA) .01.jpg (492 KB)")
_.02.jpg "One of 273's three yearlings July 17, 2020 photo by Lee Pastewka (akaRiverPA) .02.jpg (1.01 MB)")
.jpg "273's three yearlings July 17, 2020 photo by Lee Pastewka (aka RiverPA).jpg (1.06 MB)")
2020.07.17: 273's smallest yearling tries to meet 39 and her 2 yearlings, 7/17/2020 video by Birgitt. There are bluff charges by both sows.
2020.07.18: 273 puts the brakes on her 3 yearlings when they decide to chase subadults, 7/18/2020 video by mckate.
2020.07.20: 273 takes a fish from her yearling, 7/20/2020 video by mckate. "I'm not sure 273's cub appreciated Mom taking the fish."
2020.07.21: 273 and yearlings meet 402's emancipated subadults, 7/21/2020 video by Lani H.
The 273's chase off 402's subadults, 7/21/2020 video by Birgitt.
2020.07.22: 273 and yearlings near the point, 7/22/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.07.24: 273 plays with one of her yearlings, 7/24/2020 video by mckate. "The little one gave almost as good as it got though having a good hold on Mom's neck as they floated away from the cam."
2020.07.25: 854 Divot and her 2 spring cubs meet 273 and her 3 yearlings, 7/25/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.07.26: 273 and yearlings nap on the point then get up to snorkel, 7/26/2020 video by Lani H.
Mckate's 7/26/2020 video, 273's yearlings won't stay treed.
2020.07.27: 273 and yearlings on the gravel bar, 7/27/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.07.28: The 719's meet the 273's with a subadult showing up at the end, 7/28/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.07.29: 273 and her 3 yearlings are seen near the LR platform in this 7/29/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.07.30: 273's yearling check out one of the boats, 7/30/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.07.31: 435 Holly's spring cub plays with one of 273's yearlings, 7/31/2020 video by Lani H.
August 2020:
2020.08.01: 273 and yearlings, RW, UW and LR views, 8/1/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.08.02: 273 and her 3 yearlings beneath the bridge, 8/2/2020 video by Ratna Narayan.
2020.08.03: 273 and her yearlings check out a truck, and chase a subadult, 8/3/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.08.04: 273 wants to play with her yearlings, 8/4/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.08.05: 435 Holly's spring cub has a long play session with 273's yearling 8/5/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.08.06: 273 yanks who? / subadult down the hill on the far side of the falls.:
Hey Princess (aka Princess503) captured this video of 273 charging, dragging, and chasing an unknown subadult bear:
273 yanks subadult down the hill, gif created by Lani H: The gif file was 14 MB, wiki won't permit gif to be uploaded. Lani H also captured this video .:
Phillydude captured these snapshots (#1 , #2 , #3 , #4 , #5 , #6 , #7 , #8 & #9 ) of 273 and the subadult from the Riffles cam view (p 08/06/2020 21:00 ). Phillydude shared this information about the interaction::
Riffles Cam snaps of 273 attacking the Bear on the Far path - she charged him, grabbed his backside and dragged him down the hill before chasing him back up the hill, 273 looks so calm most of the time but don't mess with a Mama Bear, they all can go full Grazer when they need to."
2020.08.08: 273 and her yearlings and 128 Grazer and her spring cubs fishing at the falls, 8/8/2020 video by Hey Princess.
2020.08.09: 273's largest cub appears to be a female, video by Lani H. Note: A better look is needed to confirm if it is the largest of the 3 cubs. 273's smallest and middle-sized cubs were determined to be female in 2019.
2020.08.10: 273 plays with her yearlings after nursing them, 8/10/2020 video by Hey Princess.
Mckate's 8/10/2020 video of 273 playing with her cubs.
2020.08.11: 273 and yearlings snorkeling, 8/11/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.08.12: 273's snorkeling and on the picnic area, 8/12/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.08.13: 273 and yearlings, 8/13/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.08.14: 273 and 1 of her 3 yearlings are seen on the underwater cam, 8/14/2020 video by Larinor.
8/14/2020 video by mckate, 273 gives her yearling a self defense lesson. ""Now if a big bear gets you down in the water what do you do? That's right, you bite his neck!" Good job, mom!"
273 and her yearlings snorkeling and playing, 8/14/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.08.15: 273 and yearlings on the picnic spot, 8/15/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.08.16: "Beautiful 273 and cubs", 8/16/2020 video by Ratna Narayan.
September 2020:
2020.09.??: Instagram video of 273 and 2 of her 3 yearlings by Lynne1192015.
2020.09.12-09.17: On 1/21/2021, Theresa Bielawski shared a photo of 273 taken between September 12-September 17, 2020 during her trip to Brooks Camp. "Here is a close-up of 273 from September." Theresa Bielawski shared 12 additional photos of 273 alone and with her yearlings on 3/28/2021, #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11 and #12. "Sept 2020. Spent 6 days at Brooks and saw her (273) and her cubs every day. Enjoy!"
Please request Theresa Bielawski's permission prior to using her photographs!
2020.09.13: 273 and her 3 yearlings returned to Brooks Camp after a 4 week absence, 9/13/2020 video by mckate.
2020.09.14: Ranger Naomi Boak shared a 9/14/2020 photo of 273 and her 3 yearlings napping under the bridge on 9/15/2020.
Permission to use her NPS photos posted on the bearcam comments
2020.09.14: Mckate's 9/14/2020 video, the 273's fish the lower river. "Kind of hard to eat when your sibling keeps knocking the fish out of your paws. Little stinker."
2020.09.15: 273 and yearlings napping under the LR platform, 9/15/2020 video by Lani H.
273's cubs will not let her nap without them, 9/15/2020 video by mckate.
2020.09.16: Mckate's 9/16/2020 video, 273 intervenes when she see 719 smacking her boy. "I've seen 273 put a really quick stop to her own yearlings fighting, but was kind of shocked to see her get involved another family's dispute. 719 did not appreciate the advice."
2020.09.17: Spit roads not big enough for all, 435 Holly and Coy meet 94 and cubs and 273 and cubs, 9/17/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.09.18: Hey Princess 9/18/2020 video, 273's yearling tries to join in on 94 nursing her cubs.
2020.09.19: 273's meet the 708's, 9/19/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.09.20: Hey Princess 9/20/2020 video, bear parade on the spit road.
2020.09.21: 273's have a little kerfuffle with the 719's, 9/21/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.09.23: Lani H 9/23/2020 video of the 273 family fishing the riffles.
2020.09.24: NSBoak (aka Ranger Naomi Boak shared this 9/24/2020 photo of 273 in chat. "Oh those kids really wipe me out."
Please request NSBoak's permission prior to using her photographs!
.jpg "273 September 25, 2020 NPS photo by NSBoak (aka Ranger Naomi Boak).jpg (414 KB)")
273 and her 3 yearlings nap on the lower river, 9/24/2020 video by rysx132.
2020.09.25: Which 273 cub is the smallest, 9/25/29020 video by mckate. "Last season we saw that the smallest 273 cub was female, but now I don't which cub it is!"
2020.09.26: Itchy mama 273 with her yearlings watching her, 9/26/2020 video by Hey Princess.
273 scratches herself and moves a log, 9/26/2020 video by mckate.
2020.09.28: Hey Princess 9/28/2020 video of 273 and yearlings blocking the spit road to nap.
2020.09.29: 273 and yearlings, 273 does some long dives, 9/29/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.09.30: Mckate's 9/30/2020 video, the 273's join the 94's at the picnic area. "94 seemed to think it might be best to move the kids to a new spot."
October 2020:
2020.10.01: 273 and her yearlings at the picnic area, 10/1/2020 video by Lani H.
Mckate's 10/1/2020 video of 273 close up.
2020.10.02: 273 and yearlings near the LR platform, 10/2/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.10.03: Lani H 10/3/2020 video, 273 and her yearlings feeding on the lower river.
2020.10.04: 820 tries to join the 273's, 10/4/2020 video by mckate. 273 says no. "I didn't realize just how big he'd become."
2020.10.05: 273 and 3 yearlings fish the oxbow area, 10/5/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.10.06: Lani H 10/6/2020 video, 273's snorkeling and diving with a subadult watching.
2020.10.07: 273 yearlings nap and play, 10/7/2020 video by Hey Princess.
273's long dive, 10/7/2020 video by mckate. "That was around 23 seconds long!"
2020.10.08: Mckate's 10/8/2020 video of 273's yearlings chasing 821 and the doing a "cowgirl walk."
2020.10.09: 273 and yearlings eating and playing, 10/9/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.10.10: On 10/10/2020 273 and 806 had a serious scuffle due to 806's spring cub becoming confused and panicking, video by mckate. Mckate explains what happened:
"This shows both the River Watch and Lower River views of the fight. This is long, so please bear with me. 273 and 806 are having what looks to be a mostly friendly conversation. Then 806 goes into the river to do some fishing while her cub eats on the bank on the right. 273 and her cubs are to the left.
At one point you can see 806 call back to her cub to let it know where she is and the cub looks up, but promptly forgets because its so engrossed in eating its fish.
So 806 drifts down about as far as the cam and then circles back up to her cub. As she walks up the bank, the cub becomes increasingly panicked because it doesn't realize that this is mom. It eventually jumps into the water and swims right towards the 273s!
806 chases after her cub and 273 seems to misinterpret what's happening and also swims right towards the distressed cub! It looks like 806 just about has her cub rounded up when it decides to climb on her back. 806, maybe thinking that it's 273 on her back, panics and rolls. 273, maybe thinking that 806 is biting the cub, then bites 806 and the fight ensues. A lot of speculation here, I know.
273 looks a little shell-shocked in the aftermath, but is otherwise okay. 806 and her cub are seen about 10 minutes later walking through the long grass and also seem to be okay."
10/10/2020 video by Lani H.
FormerBear broke down the 10/10/2020 events in this very detailed video that explains what happened frame by frame.
2020.10.11: 273 and yearlings napping, 10/11/2020 video by Hey Princess.
A rare event, mother bear 273 actually sleeps, 10/11/2020 video by mckate.
2020.10.12: Hey Princess 10/12/2020 video of the 273 family resting at the picnic area.
2020.10.14: 273 and 1 cub dive while the other 2 snorkle, 10/14/2020 video by Becky Osberg.
2020.10.15: Hey Princess 10/15/2020 video, 273 and yearlings get spooked while napping.
2020.10.16: 273 and yearlings on a frosty morning, 10/16/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.10.17: Becky Osberg 10/17/2020 video, 273s cub does not like the Ravens.
2020.10.18: 273's have a kerfuffle with the gull eating subadult, 10/18/2020 video by Lani H.
Lani H 10/18/2020 video of the 273's on the picnic area.
Mckate's 10/18/2020 video, 273 gang jumps 903. "Well this was inevitable. Those yearlings have been itching for a fight and were excited to follow mom in to the fray. Davina might have made it a little before mom because by the time the cam caught up, she had a pretty good hold on 903's face. Tough girls!"
2020.10.19: 273 and her 3 yearlings (far) fish in proximity to 94 and her three 2.5 year old cubs (near) in this 10/19/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.10.20: 273 and yearlings rest on the picnic area, 10/20/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.10.21: Lani H 10/21/2020 video, subadults have words and the 273's come in at the end (at 6:41 in the background).
2020.10.22: 273 and her yearlings in the oxbow area, 10/22/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.10.23: Hey Princess 10/23/2020 video, 273 calls her yearlings.
2020.10.24: 273 and her yearlings can be seen under the bridge, 10/24/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.10.25: Lani H 10/25/2020 video of 273 and cubs snorkeling on the lower river.
2020.10.26: 273s "Mom, we are TIRED!" video by Kwaahu. "A sleepy pile of cubby cuteness gets cuter and cuter the more you watch. But, when one sibling gets a second wind and heads off to explore the other side of the bridge, the looks on his/her siblings faces breaks all cuteness records."
2020.10.27: 273 and yearlings fish near the picnic area, 10/27/2020 video by Hey Princess.
2020.10.28: Hey Princess 10/28/2020 video, 273 and yearlings scavenging on the lower river.
2020.10.29: 273 and her 3 yearlings were last seen snorkeling on the lower river, 10/29/2020 video by Lani H.
Known Courting & Mating:
2017:
June 2017:
2017.06.25: 603(?) or 801(?) Courted 273:
273 being courted by 603(?) or 801(?) video by Melissa Freels:
July 2017:
2017.07.05: 32 Chunk was courting 273.
2017.07.12: 634 Popeye appeared to be courting 273, or at the least attempting to have 273 become more habituated to his close proximity.:
634 Popeye courting 273 video by Brenda D:
634 Popeye courting 273 video by Melissa Freels:
634 Popeye and 273 video by Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA):
Known Litters of Cubs:
1st Known Litter: 1 Male Spring Cub, 809
2015: 1 Male Spring Cub, 1st Known Litter, 809
273 returned to Brooks Camp in July 2015 with her 1st known litter, 1 male spring cub. The offspring is believed to be 809 .
2016: 1 Male Yearling, 809
273 returned to the Brooks River with her male offspring from her 2015 litter.
2017: Successful Emancipation of 809
It is speculated that 273 successfully emancipated her 2015 male offspring. The 2.5 year-old male offspring that is speculated to 273's 2015 male offspring was assigned the bear monitoring number 809.
2nd Known Litter: 3 Spring Cubs, Smallest is Female, Middle-sized is Female
2019: 3 Spring Cubs
273 returned to Brooks Camp on July 8, 2019 with her 2nd known litter, 3 spring cubs, The smallest spring cub is a female. The middle-sized spring cub is a female. Mazey's October 16, 2019 11:23 comment .:
2020: 3 yearlings, the smallest is female, the mid-sized is female
Known Relatives:
Mother: Not Known
Father: Not Known
Offspring:
2015: 809 , Speculated
809 is believed to be the 2015 male offspring of 273. There is speculation in the 2017 bear monitoring notes that 809 is the 2015 male offspring of 273, however there is no way to really confirm link between subadults to their mothers and siblings without DNA results.
Genetics Study Samples Obtained:
2016: Successfully Darted by Ranger Michael Saxton
273 was successfully darted by Ranger Michael Saxton in 2016 for the genetics study. Is this 273 and her yearling in this video where Ranger Michael Saxton is retrieving the dart after darting the sow in this October 5, 2016 10:15 AM video by Geert 588?
2017: No Known Attempts
There were no darting attempts of 273 by Ranger Michael Saxton for the genetics study in 2017.
2018: Awaiting Information from the Rangers
We are awaiting 2018 genetics study information from the rangers.
2019: For Future Use
For Future Use
A special thank you to KCanada for the NPS photos from the 2012 Brown Bears of Brooks Camp iBook.
A special thank you to Xander-Sage for the gif of NPS photos from the 2012 Brown Bears of Brooks Camp iBook.