63 on July 11, 2019 NPS photo by Ranger Tammy Carmack
The remainder of the 2019 season was as a yearling with her mother, 505 and her sibling
2020: A 2.5 Year-Old Dependent Cub with 505 and her sibling
Year First Observed: 2018 (as a spring cub)
2019 (a yearling, then independent 1.5 year-old subadult, then back to yearling)
Year Last Observed: 2020
Known Offspring Of: 505, one of 2 spring cubs in 505's 2018 litter, 505's 1st known litter (Speculated)
Known Litters of Cubs: None known as of 2019 Season
Genetics Study Samples Obtained: Unknown at this time
Identification:[]
63 was initially observed during the 2019 season. We are awaiting additional information from the rangers about this newly identified subadult 63 is believed to be the missing 1.5 year-old cub of 505. The 2020 season revealed that 63 was somehow later reunited with 505 and her littermate. 63 apparently reunited with 505 and her littermate sometime in 2019 after the live cams went down for the season. When 505 returned to the Brooks River in 2020, she returned with both of her 2.5 year-old cubs.
Distinctive Behaviors:[]
Add here
Life History:[]
2018: Spring Cub with 505 and her (63's) Littermate []
63 is believed to be one of the two 2018 offspring of 505.
2019: Yearling with 505, then Separated from Family Group & Became Independent Subadult Female, 1st Year Officially Identified, and then Reunited with Family Group Sometime Prior to 2020 Season[]
2020: 2.5 Year-Old cub with 505[]
63 was initially identified and assigned her bear monitoring number during the 2019 season. 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.??: GreenRiver shared this July, 2019 art pic of 505's lone yearling on 3/1/2021.
2019.07.07: 505 and her 2 yearlings were observed at the corner. The smaller cub appears to be favoring it's left rear leg at 0:21 into Lani's video and does not join the family but instead stands in one spot.
505 and yearlings near the corner 7 7 2019 by Lani H
Video by Lani H
Later in the evening on July 7, 2019, 505 is observed with only 1 yearling. (Snapshots from Known Litters of Cubs page)
Could the sow with 1 yearling seen in these two videos by Erum Chad be 505?
Video by Erum Chad
Unknown sow with 1 yearling bear cub LR Brooks Katmai 2019 07 07 by Erum Chad (Could this be 505 with 1 remaining yearling?)
Video by Erum Chad
This 7/7/2019 photo by angerbodha appears to be 505 with 1 yearling.
Please request angrbodha's permission prior to using her photographs!
NWBearLove92 shared photos of 505 and 1 of her 2 yearlings on 5/16/2020, #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5.
Please request NWBearLove92's permission prior to using any of their photographs!
2019.07.08: On July 8, 2019 at 12:56, Mike Fitz replied to a question about 505 possibly only having 1 remaining yearling: "It's complicated. 505 has two yearlings, but one is struggling to keep up and is not always visible. Perhaps it is ill. I haven't been able to witness its behavior personally."
Later on July 8, 2019, 505 was observed with both yearlings. Video by Erum Chad.
Bear sow 505 with 2 yearling cubs LR Brooks falls Katmai 2019 07 08 by Erum Chad-0
Video by Erum Chad
2019.07.09: Brooks Camp visitor and cam viewer Olatz Azcona Munárriz (aka Olatz) shared six 7/9/2021 photos of 505 and her 2 yearlings, #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 and #6. 505 is seen with her healthy yearling while her sick yearling is trying to keep up with the family. "The first and only time I saw 505 with her two yearlings during my visit to Brooks Camp in 2019, was on July 9 at dawn. The day was breaking when 505 and one of her yearlings swam toward the spit from the other side of the bridge.
At first I thought it might be 132 and her yearling “Cubzilla”, but a few seconds later, another small bear crossed the bridge and followed 505. It was 505´s sick yearling, that after spending the most part of the previous day lying on the marsh on her own, got up when her mom and sibling probably checked on her.
505´s sick yearling tried to keep up with her mom and sibling, but it could be clearly seen she was struggling. She could barely keep her balance and walk.
It was really painful to watch and a very sad start to the day for me for I felt there was no hope for this bear. I never imagined she would be able to overcome whatever was making her feel so sick.
The next time I saw 505 that day, she was only in the company of one of her yearlings. The sick yearling was missing and was not seen with her mom and sibling again until a year later."
Olatz Azcona Munárriz (aka Olatz) shared six additional 7/9/2021 photos of 505 and her healthy yearling, #1, #2, #3, #4,#5 and #6. "This second set of pictures I am sharing were taken around midday on July 9, 2019. 505´s healthy yearling was hungry and bawled loudly, but 505 was not ready to open the milk bar for her cub, and spent some time trying to catch a salmon. Unfortunately, there were barely any in the river that day.
505 finally gave up and nursed her yearling for a few seconds on the river bank, but she sensed some kind of danger and decided to abruptly finish her yearling´s nursing session and leave."
Please request Olatz Azcona Munárriz's (aka Olatz) permission prior to using their photographs!
_July_9,_2019_photo_by_Olatz_Azcona_Mun%C3%A1rriz_.01.jpg "505 and her 2 yearlings (63 on the left) July 9, 2019 photo by Olatz Azcona Munárriz .01.jpg (2.32 MB)")
505 was observed with both yearlings in the early morning, video by Erum Chad. It may be important to note that one of the cubs lags behind.:
Bear sow 505 with 2 yearling cubs LR Brooks Falls Katmaa 2019 07 09 by Erum Chad-0
Video by Erum Chad
Later in the day on July 9, 2019, 505 is observed with only one of her 2 yearlings. (Snapshot from Known Litters of Cubs page).:
2019.07.10: On July 10, 2019 at 09:43, former KNP&P Ranger Jeanne commented about Ranger Michael Saxton may have been looking for a yearling that was last observed in the marsh.:
On July 10, 2019 at 09:48, former KNP&P Ranger Jeanne commented that Mike Fitz reports that one of 505's yearlings may be ill.:
Cam viewer, Lovethebears1 was at Brooks Camp from July 9, 2019 - July 12, 2019 and made the following comment on July 18, 2019 at 07:01 regarding 505 and her yearling.: "There was word around camp that a yearling was alone on LR and was possibly dying. I saw it several times laying in the same spot just to the left of the LR viewing platform. Then it was gone. I never heard anything more about it but I am hoping he/she was ok and reunited with it's mom."
2019.07.11: 505's yearling was initially identified and assigned her bear monitoring number 63 during the 2019 season as she had been observed at least 3 times by the bear monitor. 63 on July 11, 2019 NPS photo by Ranger Tammy Carmack in KNP&P's Flickr album via KNP&P Ranger Naomi Boak .
2019.07.14: Ranger Naomi Boak shared this 7/14/2019 video of a recovering 63 on 7/21/2021. "That is my personal video. I found her on the Valley Road one Saturday. I was off duty but had to manage a whole group of people to stay out of her way. She could barely walk but knew where she wanted to go. Let me transfer to YT and give you the link. It is just amazing. I was in tears when I encountered her that day, struggling and determined. Gotta love bears."
BEAR 63 as a yearling
Video by Naomi Boak (aka Ranger Naomi Boak)
2019.07.22 or prior: Cam viewer and KNP Volunteer Stacey recently returned from Brooks Camp and observed the yearling. Stacey commented "I saw the solo cub eating scraps at the edge of the river several times while I was at Brooks in July -- even when s/he was quite ill. One day, I saw her/him hop charge three subadults playing in the river near her/his hiding area" and "I *believe* I saw what I *believe* was the solo cub walk under the bridge just before I left Brooks Camp the afternoon of Monday, July 22. At that time, s/he looked small but good! She seemed to be walking well. I am rooting for this little bear!"
2019.07.24: Could this very small subadult seen on the lower river on 7/24/2019 be 505's separated yearling? It was moving well and eating fish scraps, video by Birgitt.
505's Yearling Above Bridge 2019-07-24 20-53-47-842, video by Birgitt
Video by Birgitt
2019.07.25: On 7/25/2019 a small bear that appeared to be a yearling was observed in the marsh area searching for and eating scraps. Could this be 505's abandoned/emancipated yearling now considered a subadult? The yearling appeared to be healthy and was moving without difficulty, video by mckate.
25 Jul 2019- 63 Alone on the Lower River
Video by mckate
Green River's two art photos of 63 on 7/25/2019, #1 and #2. "The sick cub, later Bear 63. Art pics in 2019 before being reunited with mom 505."
2019.07.27: Birgitt's 7/27/2019 video of a small bear believed to be 505's yearling.
505's Lone Yearling, 63, on Closed Road 2019-07-27 18-01-45-359
Video by Birgitt
2019.07.29: Brenda D captured video of a 7/29/2019 Live Chat with Rangers Barbara Lutes and Naomi Boak, 505 and her missing yearling's status was discussed, 29:29-31:40. Ranger Naomi stated that the "cub was very ill, lying in the marsh on death's door. Bear 505 with her other cub left. She has not been seen since." Also from 28:08 -28:26 Ranger Barbara states "We have seen this year an instance of a sow what I suppose people would call abandoning her sick cub but what I would also consider emancipation. That young cub is now a subadult." A week later Ranger Naomi saw a lone yearling and Ranger Barbara saw it on 7/28. Ranger Naomi has seen the yearling getting fish scraps and swimming. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
07.29.2019 - Sows and Cubs with Rangers Barbara and Naomi, video by Brenda D-0
Video by Brenda D
After the Chat on 7/29/2019 Ranger Naomi stopped in chat to share 2 photos. "I know that some of you were interested in comparing the photos I have of 505's "sick cub" and the "lone yearling" I saw this week. The first picture was taken July 14th . The second, July 26th."
Permission to use her NPS photos posted on the bearcam comments
2020: Dependent 2.5 Year-Old Cub with 505 and her (*63's) 2018 Littermate[]
July 2020:[]
2020.07.02: 505 returns with BOTH of her 2.5 year-old cubs on July 2, 2020? Melissa Freels captured this video . Melissa shared this information about 505 in the description of her video..."Female brown bear plus two cubs at Brooks Falls in Alaska's Katmai National Park. Recorded via Explore.org webcam. Could this be bear 505 and her two 2.5 year olds? One of 505's cubs became very ill in 2019 and was separated from mom; whether it survived or was ever reunited with mom and sibling was not determined.":...
Well, it is 505 that has returned with BOTH of her 2.5 year-old cubs!!!!! Note: The cub that had been ill and separated from 505 and sibling was given ID #63 by the Bear Monitor in 2019. This cub is a female.
Bear 505
Video by Melissa Freels
KNP&P Ranger Naomi Boak confirmed the ID of 505 in her July 2, 2020 16:06 comment : "I LOVE BEARS! A little birdie (aka a bear tech) who saw this family group up close confirms that YES! 505 is back with her two cubs. Bears are just amazing. This news made my day. Sorry no pics."
505 reunited with formerly ill cub, 7/2/2020 video by mckate.
"For those who don't know the story, last season one of 505's yearlings became quite ill. If I remember correctly, there was something wrong with its back legs and it couldn't keep up with 505 and its sibling. 505 would check on it from time to time, but finally headed out for the creeks as was her habit. As Ranger Naomi tells it, Ranger Michael went to check on what he thought was a dead yearling and it was very much alive. It managed to feed itself and start recovering. Because we only saw it feeding once on the cams, I didn't hold out much hope that it had survived. Today 505 returned with both of her two-year-olds in tow! That's her formerly ill sub with her at the beginning of the video who now has the number 63. What a happy ending to this little sub's story."
2 Jul 2020 505 Reunited with Formerly Ill Cub! Video by mckate
Video by mckate
Another look at the reunited 505's, 7/2/2020 video by mckate. "It would be interesting to know how long 63 was on her own last season and how they finally met up again. I hope 505 keeps her two-year-olds for the rest of the season to make up for lost time."
2 Jul 2020 Another Look at the Reunited 505s, video by mckate
Video by mckate
Ratna Narayan's 7/2/2020 video.
505 and 2 yearling cubs on RW July 2nd 2020, video by Ratna Narayan
Video by Ratna Narayan
More 505 and cubs", 7/2/2020 video by Ratna Narayan.
More 505 and cubs on LR July 2nd 2020, video by Ratna Narayan
Video by Ratna Narayan
2020.07.04: 505's midnight cub says SBD's (Sweet Bear Dreams), 7/4/2020 video by mckate.
4 Jul 2020 505's Midnight Sub Says SBDs! by mckate
Video by mckate
719 and yearlings meet 505 and her 2.5 year old cubs, 7/4/2020 video by Lani H.
719 and yearlings meet 505 and her 2.5 year old cubs 7 4 2020, video by Lani H
Video by Lani H
2020.07.09: The recent loss of 803's spring cub inspired Stacey, long-time cam viewer and KNP&P VIP (volunteer in park) to write this blog about her 2019 observations of bear 63:
Stacey posted in the comments :
"Thinking about 803's cub inspired me to write a blog post about my experience with a different cub at Katmai last summer."
A Dying Cub ~ A Sick Cub ~ Bear 63 blog by Stacey, posted on July 9, 2020.
Stacey obtained permission via private email from David Lin to post 4 of his photos of 63 on the Bearcam Wikipedia. The photos were taken on July 22, 2019.
Please request David Lin's permission prior to using his photographs!
2020.07.10: Ranger Naomi Boak's July 10, 2020 14:59 comment re: 63 (when she was a yearling in 2019) was reunited with her mother, 505,and her sibling/littermate .
505 with her two 2.5 year old cubs, 7/10/2020 video by Erum Chad.
Bear 505 w 2.5 year old cubs RW 2020 07 10, video by Erum Chad-0
Video by Erum Chad
2020.07.11: NSBoak (aka Ranger Naomi Boak) shared this 7/11/2020 photo of 63 on 3/16/22.
Please request NSBoak's (aka Ranger Naomi Boak) permission prior to using her photographs!
.jpg "63 July 11, 2020 NPS photo by NSBoak (aka Naomi Boak).jpg (358 KB)")
2020.07.12: 63 and sibling still with mom 505, 7/12/2020 video by mckate. "I guess she's going to be one of the mother bears who keeps her cubs for a third summer. This is so nice for 63 who was all alone last July after taking ill."
12 Jul 2020- 63 and Sibling Still with Mom, 505
Video by mckate
2020.07.15: 505 still with her two 2.5 year old cubs, one of whom has ID # 63, 7/15/2020 video by mckate. "We were told they had been emancipated. Probably a case of mistaken identity since there are so many blondes running around."
15 Jul 2020 63 and Sibling Still with 505, video by mckate
Video by mckate
2020.07.16: 505 and her cubs scavenging, 7/16/2020 video by Lani H.
505 and her cubs scavenging 7 16 2020 video by Lani H
Video by Lani H
2020.07.17 or prior: Ranger Naomi Boak shared this 7/17/2020 or prior photo of a subadult she believes to be 63. This bear was observed on its own. Ranger Naomi also shared a July 2019 photo of 505's subadult yearling for comparison. Question by chatter: "Is there an update on the 505's? Still together?" Reply by Ranger Naomi: "I am not sure what is going on with them. I am 100% positive that one of the young subs that followed me off the trail last weekend was #63. I compared pictures from last year and this year. Same bear. I was close to her last year as well when she was recovering. Let me see if I can get in the discussion and post the pics."
Permission to use her NPS photos posted on the bearcam comments
2020.07.18: 505 and her cubs at the falls, 7/18/2020 video by Lani H.
Sow with her cubs (505? 39?) at the falls 7 18 2020, video by Lani H
Video by Lani H
505 and her 2 cubs in the riffles, 7/18/2020 video by Lani H.
Sow plus two in the riffles (505 or 39?) 7 18 2020, video by Lani H
Video by Lani H
2021: Newly Emancipated 3.5 Year-Old Independent Subadult[]
June 2021:[]
2020.06.27: Could this be 63, newly emancipated and independent agaIn? This subadult has a striking resemblance to 63. Ranger Naomi also thought the subadult might be 63 in a 6/27/2021 comment. "That was my immediate thought. 63. I've been up close to her as a yearling and last year." Note: This identification is not confirmed.
Ratna Narayan's 6/27/2021 video of the subadult.
Sub on spit road Explore.org 6-27-2021-2
Video by Ratna Narayan
Mckate's 6/27/2021 video of the subadult.
27 Jun 2021- Emancipation Sucks
Video by mckate
Why 63 Does Not Have An Official Nickname:[]
63 does not have an official nickname. The NPS has moved away from nicknaming bears at KNP&P.
Known Courting & Mating:[]
None as of 2019 Season[]
Known Litters of Cubs:[]
None as of 2019 Season[]
Known Relatives:[]
505 family tree - updated Nov 2022
Mother: 505 (Speculated)
Father: Unknown
Littermate: 146 (Speculated)