399 July 5, 2022 NPS photo by T Carmack KNP&P Flickr
Adult Male
Year First Observed: 2022 as a newly classified adult male
Year Last Observed: 2022 (2023 near Katmai Lodge?)
Known Offspring Of: Unknown
Genetics Study Samples Obtained: None
Identification:[]
399 is believed to be a new bear who was initially observed on June 29, 2022 on the bear cams. He is a large boar with a reddish brown coat, round wide-spaced ears, claws that appear light to almost white and a shed pattern that makes him look pantless. He has multiple scars around his face, neck, back and right hip. 399 had multiple chatter nicknames before he received his official identification number. He was referred to as MB (mystery boar) and No Pants. These are not official NPS names.
Distinctive Behaviors:[]
399 did not appear to understand the bear hierarchy. He had little awareness of invading other bears space. Early on, he had interactions with 856 and 747. He was observed stealing fish from 634 Popeye and 480 Otis. 399 also had a confrontation with 128 Grazer. He seemed unfamiliar with fishing techniques at the falls. 399 appeared to be habituated as he passed right under the falls platform with ease.
Life History:[]
2022: Newly Identified Adult Male[]
June 2022:[]
2022.06.29: Betsy Bear's 6/29/2022 photo of 856 (left) and 399 (right) during an altercation. This occurred on the first day that 399 arrived at Brooks Camp. 399 appeared to be new and unaware of the hierarchy.
Please request BetsyBear's permission prior to using her photographs!
_and_399_(right)_June_29,_2022_photo_by_Betsy_Bear_.01.jpeg "856 (left) and 399 (right) June 29, 2022 photo by Betsy Bear .01.jpeg (324 KB)")
Melissa Freels also captured what appears to be the same interaction between newly arrived 399 and 856, 6/29/2022 photo. Melissa Freels shared two 6/29/2022 photos of 480 Otis with 399 on 7/11/2022, #1 and #2. "On June 29 while on the falls platform, we received exciting news: 480 Otis had arrived! We could see him down at the cutbank, but he was taking his own sweet time. He was snacking in the river, and maybe even napping--it was hard to tell! So, we decided to go back to the lodge for dinner; we knew he'd be at the falls by evening. Sure enough, Otis didn't disappoint; he was in the recently redecorated office when we arrived at the falls after dinner ... But wait, who was this dark Mystery Bear who was shaking things up? It was an interesting evening as many of the males tried to establish their place in the hierarchy."
Please request Melissa Freel's permission prior to using her photographs!
_and_399_(right)_June_29,_2022_photo_by_Melissa_Freels_.01.jpeg "856 (left) and 399 (right) June 29, 2022 photo by Melissa Freels .01.jpeg (214 KB)")
_and_399_(right)_June_29,_2022_photo_by_Melissa_Freels_.01.jpg "480 Otis (left) and 399 (right) June 29, 2022 photo by Melissa Freels .01.jpg (1.53 MB)")
_and_399_(right)_June_29,_2022_photo_by_Melissa_Freels_.02.jpg "480 Otis (left) and 399 (right) June 29, 2022 photo by Melissa Freels .02.jpg (1.15 MB)")
JG's 6/29/2022 video of interactions between 480 Otis and 399.
Some interactions between 480 and 399 - Explore.org June 29, 2022
Video by JG
Some interactions between 856 and 399 on the first day that 399 was observed, 6/29/2022 video by JG. 856 quickly reinforced who was the dominant boar.
Some interactions between 856 and 399 - Explore.org June 29, 2022
Video by JG
NutsBoutBears (aka Bonnie Hankins) shared two 6/29/2022 photos of 399 on 7/3/2022, #1 and #2. "The handsome dark stranger that showed up on Jun 29 at the falls. I believe this is the one chatters have been calling No Pants MB. The bear monitor just happened to be on the platform at the time and indicated she does not recognize this bear."
Please request Bonnie Hankins' (aka NutsBoutBears) permission prior to using her photographs!
_.01.jpg "399 June 29, 2022 photo by NutsBoutBears (aka Bonnie Hankins) .01.jpg (1.12 MB)")
_.02.jpg "399 June 29, 2022 photo by NutsBoutBears (aka Bonnie Hankins) .02.jpg (1.15 MB)")
Betsy Bear's 6/29/2022 photo of 399.
Please request BetsyBear's permission prior to using her photographs!
Truman Evert's 6/29/2022 photo of 399 shared via Corisande on 3/15/2022.
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
399 at the falls, 6/29/2022 video by JG.
399 - Explore.org June 29, 2022
Video by JG
2022.06.30: Betsy Bear shared a 6/30/2022 photo of 399 on 7/6/2022. "Dark bear pirate with the white claws napping (this is on 6/30, shortly before he scared off Otis, who had surprisingly gotten out of the river to follow a lady bear in to the woods)" Two 6/30/2022 photos of 399 taken by Betsy Bear, #1 and #2.
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128 Grazer is very agitated at the arrival of a new unknown boar and charges him, 6/30/2022 video by Flyer 4477. This boar was later given ID number 399.
2022 06 30...128 and an Unknown Bear Courtesy of Explore.org
Video by Flyer 4477
399 checks out the riffles and sploots, 6/30/2022 video by mckate.
30 Jun 2022- 399 in the Riffles (explore.org)
Video by mckate
399 takes a rest on the island and then heads to the riffles, 6/30/2022 video by JG.
399 - Explore.org June 30, 2022-2
Video by JG
747 confronts 399, 6/30/2022 video by JG.
747 confronts 399 - Explore.org June 30, 2022
Video by JG
July 2022:[]
399 appears on the list of Bears Monitored in July 2022.
2022.07.??: Three July 2022 Instagram photos of 20 by Pam Barnaky, #1, #2 and #3 (20 on the left).
2022.07.??: Tamy Antsee's July 2022 video of 399 chasing and catching a fish in the riffles.
2022.07.??: Kara Stenberg's July 2022 Instagram photo of 399.
2022.07.??: Beartracksandbackpacks's (Shelby Huff) July 2022 Instagram photo of 399 standing on the lip and 399 sitting on a rock photo.
2022.07.??: 399 rests on the river bank, July 2022 Instagram photo by johngrosski. 856 vs 399 Instagram video by johngrosski.
2022.07.??: Katmainpp's July 2022 Instagram photos of 399's salmon nap, #1 on the side and #2 prone.
2022.07.??: Merops_photography captured six June 2022 Instagram photos of 399, #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 and #6.
2022.07.??: Mark A McCaffrey's July 2022 Instagram photo of 399 napping on what is left of the island.
2022.07.01: A good look at 399 in the riffles, 7/1/2022 video by JG.
399 - Explore.org July 1, 2022-2
Video by JG
151 Walker confronts 399, 7/1/2022 video by mckate. "I didn't get the feeling that he was overly impressed since he didn't budge from his spot."
1 Jul 2022- 151 Confronts 399 (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2022.07.02: 399, 7/2/2022 photo by Truman Everts. 399 found out quickly that 128 Grazer would not tolerate him near her cubs, 7/2/2022 photo by Truman Everts. "Mr. NewComer NoPants seemed shocked that the female, 128 put up more resistance to his attempts to push bears around, than the boars did. You don't have to be a genius to know that her cubs are behind her, out of frame to the right. Any regular viewer could have told him not to poke that bear..." Truman Evert's 7/2/2022 photo of 399 shared via Corisande on 3/15/2023.
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
_and_128_Grazer_(right)_July_2,_2022_photo_by_Truman_Everts_.01.jpg "399 (left) and 128 Grazer (right) July 2, 2022 photo by Truman Everts .01.jpg (721 KB)")
Betsy Bear's 7/2/2022 photo of 399 shaking the water off his head.
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New boar 399 tries to pirate from 128 and gets grazered, 7/2/2022 video by Buddy's Mom.
RF. Mystery Bear tries to pirate from 128 and gets Grazered. Explore.org. 7-2-22
Video by Buddy's Mom
399 is all over the lower river and then the falls in this 7/2/2022 video by JG. 399 even tried the jacuzzi briefly.
399 throughout the river - Explore.org July 2, 2022
Video by JG
2022.07.03: Truman Evert's 7/3/2022 photo of 399. Truman Evert's 7/3/2022 photo of an altercation between 399 (left) and 151 Walker (right). Truman Evert's 7/3/2022 photos of 399, #1, #2 and #3. Truman Evert's 7/3/2022 photo of 399. "The first time I remember seeing him, he was taking fish from 480 Otis. This bear is especially dark...hard to photograph against whitewater. And here he's wet, making his deep chocolate coat even darker."
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
_and_151_Walker_(right)_July_3,_2022_photo_by_Truman_Everts_.01.jpg "399 (left) and 151 Walker (right) July 3, 2022 photo by Truman Everts .01.jpg (1.04 MB)")
151 Walker jumps 399 from behind, 7/3/2022 video by mckate. "I think Walker's frustrated because this boar keeps hanging around his favorite fishing hole, and he can't get him to move. Despite leaving a wound on his flank, this sneak attack seemed only to annoy the pantless boar who still refused to leave. Walker may have to resign himself to fishing the lip and far pool for now."
3 Jul 2022- 151 Jumps 399 from Behind (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2022.07.04: 399 shows his claws and scars, 7/4/2022 video by mckate. "It's looking like he might be more than just passing through, so it's good to note his other features since he'll eventually be growing pants again."
4 Jul 2022- 399 Shows His Claws and Scars (explore.org)
Video by mckate
JG's 7/4/2022 video of 399 at the riffles and lower river.
399 - Explore.org July 4, 2022-2
Video by JG
2022.07.05:
399 July 5, 2022 NPS photo by T Carmack KNP&P Flickr
399 walks by the platform and stops and stars at the visitors, 7/5/2022 video by mckate.
5 Jul 2022- 399 Walks by Platform (explore.org)
Video by mckate
634 Popeye has his catch stolen by 399, 7/5/2022 video by JG.
Twist, 634's catch taken by 399 - Explore.org July 5, 2022
Video by JG
2022.07.06: Truman Evert's 7/6/2022 photo of 399 shared via Corisande on 3/15/2022.
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
399 comes flying into the J at 0:11 and does multiple pounces. He is finally successful at the end of the video, 7/5/2022 by Buddy's Mom.
BF. His methods might be a little unorthodox, but MB gets a fish. Explore.org. 7-6-22
Video by Buddy's Mom
2022.07.07: NWBearLove92's three 7/7/2022 photos of 399, #1, #2 and #3. "Dark brown mystery bear. I think this is the one that got into a disagreement with 503 and pirated salmon from 480. He’s a very unique looking bear. Photos from 7/7/22."
Please request NWBearLove92's permission prior to using any of her photographs!
399 tries to pirate 503's fish, 7/7/2022 video by Cheryl B. 503 will have none of that! He almost puts 399 on his back, then turns and walks back to eat his fish. Sound up!
7-7-2022 BFL MB tries to pirate 503's fish, I don't think he will try that again Explore.org
Video by Cheryl B
"A newborn calf is not afraid of the tiger," featuring 208 and the "no pants" mystery boar (399), 7/7/2022 gif by LunaCre. The "no pants" mystery boar (399) tried to pirate from 634 Popeye again but the attempt was foiled , 7/7/2022 gif by LunaCre.
2022.07.08:
399 July 8, 2022 NPS photo by T Carmack KNP&P Flickr
399 poses on a rock with a good look at his light colored claws, 7/8/2022 video by Jen Schneider.
Close-up of mystery bear "No Pants" Brooks Falls cam Explore.org 7-8-2022
Video by Jen Schneider
2022.07.09: 399 backs down 634 Popeye in the riffles, 7/9/2022 video by Birgitt.
No Pants Backs Down 634 2022-07-09 15-01-46 (explore.org)-2
Video by Birgitt
Twelve22's 7/9/2022 video, 399 is full of salmon. "Resting on the island, surrounded by leftovers."
Mystery Bear is Full of Salmon - July 9, 2022 (explore.org)
Video by twelve22
399 gets up from his nap, 7/9/2022 video by twelve22.
Mystery Bear Gets Up From His Nap - July 9, 2022 (explore.org)
Video by twelve22
Cruiser's 7/9/2022 gif of 399 getting up from his nap.
399 July 9, 2022 gif by Cruiser
2022.07.10: Jen Schneider's early morning 7/10/2022 video of 399 pouncing around in the jacuzzi. This was the last day that 399 was observed.
Mystery bear "No Pants" doing his morning splashing Brooks Falls cam Explore.org 7-10-2022-2
Video by Jen Schneider
2023: Is this 399 near Katmai Lodge?[]
Cam viewer Liz Gravitz captured a photograph of a bear approximately a mile upstream from Katmai Lodge along the Alagnak River. Could this be 399? Liz Gravitz shared the photograph in the bearcam comments on August 2, 2023 at 18:57 AKDT.
How 399 Got Their Nickname:[]
399 does not have an official nickname. The NPS has moved away from naming bears at KNP&P. While waiting for an official ID number, 399 was referred to as MB (Mystery Boar) and No Pants by bear cam viewers. These are not official nicknames.
Known Courting & Mating:[]
Add here
Known Relatives:[]
Unknown
Genetics Study Samples Obtained:[]
There have not been any genetics studies since 399 was initially observed in 2022.