87 July 28, 2019 NPS photo by Ranger Tammy Carmack KNP&P Flickr
NOTE: We are awaiting additional information about 87 from the rangers. 2020.06.20 ~ LTC
Adult Female (2019 Season)
Year First Observed: 2019
Year Last Observed: 2024 (Note: 2022 on Cams Only)
Known Offspring Of: Unknown at this time
Known Litters of Cubs: 1 (2021, 2 spring cubs)
Genetics Study Samples Obtained: Unknown at this time
Identification:[]
87 was initially observed during the 2019 season. We are awaiting additional information from the rangers about this newly identified bear.
Mckate's ID Tips: 87 has large white tipped ears that she tends to hold back against her head. She has a straight muzzle and a heart shaped face. Her coat is a solid medium to dark blonde in July. She also has white claws. Could that mean she's an offspring of 477?
Distinctive Behaviors:[]
Mckate's comment, 87 fishes the spot behind the J and eats her catches at a rock. Her personality could best be described as 'cranky.'
Life History:[]
2019: Adult Female, 1st Year Officially Identified[]
87 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:[]
2019.07.26: An unidentified sow (87), not believed to have been previously seen at Brooks Falls on 7/26/2019. Her bright white claws were quite noticeable. Mckate's video of the unidentified sow who was later given ID #87.
26 Jul 2019- 87 Makes Her First Appearance
Video by mckate
2019.07.27: Modern Day Explorer captured two photographs (#1 & #2 ) of 87 on July 27, 2019. Modern Day Explorer captured four additional 7/27/2021 photos of 87, #1, #2, #3 and #4.
2019.07.28: 87 on July 28, 2019 NPS photo by Ranger Tammy Carmack in KNP&P's Flickr album via KNP&P Ranger Naomi Boak .:
Lani H's 7/28/2019 video of 87.
Unknown sow with white claws 7-28-2019
Video by Lani H
Late July 2019: Late July 2019 video by Wilde Weite Welt. 87 can be seen in front of 482 Brett and her 3 cubs at 2:45.
ACTION Lachs fischende & kämpfende Braunbären am Brooks Falls Teil 2 - Brown bears at Brooks Falls by Wilde Weite Welt-1
Video by Wilde Weite Welt
2019.07.30: Christy Avery's 7/30/2019 photo of 87.
2020: Adult Female[]
July 2020:[]
2020.07.25: 87 made her first cam appearances on 7/25/2020, video by Lani H.
Unknown sow 7-25-2020
Video by Lani H
87 was seen multiple times on 7/25/2020.
Video #2: 87 has words with 503, 7/25/2020 video by Lani H.
Unknown sow with white claws has words with 503 7-25-2020
Video by Lani H
Video #3: 87 fishes the far side of the river, 7/25/2020 video by Lani H.
Unknown sow with white claws 7-25-2020
Video by Lani H
Video #4: 87 has words with 151 Walker, 7/25/2020 video by Lani H.
Unknown sow with white claws has words with 151 Walker 7-25-2020
Video by Lani H
Video #5: 87 grabs scraps and eats near the island, 7/25/2020 video by Lani H.
Unknown sow with white claws 7-25-2020-2
Video by Lani H
2020.07.26: 87 fishes the riffles, 7/26/2020 video by Lani H.
Unknown sow with white claws in the riffles 7-26-2020
Video by Lani H
2020.07.27: 87's table for one, 7/27/2020 video by Lani H.
27 Jul 2020- 87's Table for One
Video by mckate
2020.07.28: A nice close up of 87, 7/28/2020 video by Lani H. 87 likes to stand on this rock and wait for scraps.
Unknown sow with white claws 7-28-2020
Video by Lani H
2020.07.29: 907 and 821 play in the J, 87 is seen to the right, 7/29/2020 video by Lani H. "The unknown white-clawed sow (87) watched little interest. What does capture her attention is one of these boys fishing the J. She sometimes gets right up on them probably expecting scraps. 503 set high expectations when he floated some her way last season. These other young fellows seem to find her too intimidating and just leave.
29 Jul 2020 907 and 821 Play Around the J, video by mckate.
Video by mckate
2020.07.30: 87 demands scraps from 503, 7/30/2020 video by mckate. "87 clearly remembers 503 sending scraps her way last season. Must be a bit nerve wracking knowing those pretty claws could strike your backside at any moment."
30 Jul 2020- 87 Demands Scraps from 503
Video by mckate
2021: Adult Female with 2 Spring Cubs, 1st Known Litter[]
87 returned to Brooks River with her 1st known litter, 2 spring cubs. The larger, darker cub is male. 87 does not appear on the 2021 list of Bears Monitored. This is probably due to her short 4 day stay in early August. She may have been observed during scans but not the required 3 times.
2021 Season:[]
2021.??.??: Instagram photo by casualscenery_seak of 87 and her 2 spring cubs in the riffles.
July 2021:[]
2021.07.21: 87 was first viewed with 2 spring cubs, her first known litter, on 7/21/2021, video by mckate.
21 Jul 2021- A New Sow with Cubs? (explore.org)
Video by mckate
Nikole Gordon captured two 7/21/2021 photos of 87 and her 2 spring cubs, #1 (87 alone) and #2 (with cubs).
August 2021:[]
2021.08.??: 87 and her 2 spring cubs can be seen in the riffles from 1:58-2:12 in this August 2021 video by Photo x Sun.
Katmai and Kenai, Alaska -- 阿拉斯加 卡特迈 和 基奈 国家公园
Video by Photo x Sun
2021.08.03: 87 and her 2 spring cubs were first observed at the cutbank in this 8/3/2021 zoomed in video by Birgitt. 87's white claws are noted. This is the first year that 87 has been observed in August. In 2019 and 2020 she was seen in July.
87 Maybe w 2 coy White Claws Close Up 2021-08-03 23-09-59 (explore.org)
Video by Birgitt
Ratna Narayan's 8/3/2021 video of 87 and her 2 spring cubs. 87 enters the frame at 5:02 from the left. The cubs can be see joining 87 at 5:23 and 6:18.
Beautiful bears play fighting Explore.org 8-3-2021
Video by Ratna Narayan
87 and her 2 spring cubs are seen resting at the top of the cutbank in this 8/3/2021 video by Ratna Narayan.
Bears eye view of the world Explore.org 8-3-2021
Video by Ratna Narayan
Ratna Narayan's 8/3/3031 video. 87 and her 2 spring cubs are seen at the base of the cutbank at 4:05.
Beautiful bears play fighting P2 Explore.org 8-3-2021 sow and 2 coys
Video by Ratna Narayan
2021.08.04: Cam viewer and Brooks Camp visitor Betsy Pitlick (aka BetsyBear) captured two 8/4/2021 photos of 87, #1 and #2.
Please request Betsy Pitlick's (aka BetsyBear) permission prior to using her photographs!
_.01.jpeg "87 August 4, 2021 photo by Betsy Pitlick (aka BetsyBear) .01.jpeg (5.61 MB)")
_.02.jpeg "87 August 4, 2021 photo by Betsy Pitlick (aka BetsyBear) .02.jpeg (5.47 MB)")
87's spring cub slips off the rock into Brooks River 8/4/2021 gif created by oregonshefisher. Vic_Sardou created this 8/4/2021 gif of 87's spring cub slipping off the rock after their salmon.::
JG's 8/4/2021 video of 87 and her cubs fishing and eating in the riffles.
87 and cubs in the riffles - Explore.org August 4, 2021
Video by JG
2021.08.05: Cam viewer and Brooks Camp visitor Betsy Pitlick (aka BetsyBear) captured five 8/5/2021 photos of 87 and her 2 spring cubs, #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5.
Please request Betsy Pitlick's (aka BetsyBear) permission prior to using her photographs!
_.01.jpeg "87 and her 2 spring cubs August 5, 2021 photo by Betsy Pitlick (aka BetsyBear) .01.jpeg (7.43 MB)")
_.01.jpeg "87 August 5, 2021 photo by Betsy Pitlick (aka BetsyBear) .01.jpeg (6.38 MB)")
_.02.jpeg "87 August 5, 2021 photo by Betsy Pitlick (aka BetsyBear) .02.jpeg (6.82 MB)")
_.01.jpeg "87's 2 spring cubs August 5, 2021 photo by Betsy Pitlick (aka BetsyBear) .01.jpeg (6.87 MB)")
_.01.jpeg "1 of 87's 2 spring cubs August 5, 2021 photo by Betsy Pitlick (aka BetsyBear) .01.jpeg (5.06 MB)")
87 and her 2 spring cubs delighted cam viewers on 8/5/2021, video by Arlene Beech. The family rested and the cubs nursed on a rock at Brooks Falls.
Multiple 8/5/2021 snapshots and gifs were taken of 87 and her cubs. Snapshot by Karadi, snapshot by leebonnie, snapshot by Debi (Bearz61), snapshot by Kelly, snapshot by Bluebird, snapshot by Blair-55, snapshot by Kibby, snapshot by Shel_, snapshot by EastCoastgal, snapshot by bubdoggy, gif by LunaCre, gif by LunaCre. 87 and her 2 spring cubs delighted cam viewers on 8/5/2021, video by Arlene Beech. The family rested and the cubs nursed on a rock at Brooks Falls.
Multiple 8/5/2021 snapshots and gifs were taken of 87 and her cubs. Snapshot by Karadi, snapshot by leebonnie, snapshot by Debi (Bearz61), snapshot by Kelly, snapshot by Bluebird, snapshot by Blair-55, snapshot by Kibby, snapshot by Shel_, snapshot by EastCoastgal, snapshot by bubdoggy, gif by LunaCre, gif by LunaCre.
_.01.jpg "87 and her 2 spring cubs August 5, 2021 snapshot by Debi (Bearz61) .01.jpg (110 KB)")
87's larger, darker cub is a male as evidenced by him urinating straight down at 0:13, 8/5/2021 video by mckate. "It was dripping from being in the water, but that was a pretty convincing stream."
5 Aug 2021- 87's Larger Cub is Male (explore.org)
Video by mckate
2021.08.06: This 8/6/2021 video by Itzy Holly appears to show 87 and her 2 cubs in the riffles in the early morning. This was the last day that 87 and her 2 spring cubs were observed in 2021.
87s at the riffles early morning August 06 2021 explore.org
Video by Itzy Holly
2022: Adult Female with 2 yearlings[]
July 2022:[]
87 does not appear on the list of Bears Monitored in July 2022.
2022 Official Bears Monitored List provided by Ranger Lian, posted by Mazey 10/31/22 09:41
2022.07.06: 87 and her 2 yearlings returned to Brooks Camp on 7/6/2022, video by JG. You can see 87's white claws when she stands at 0:44.
87 and cubs return - Explore.org July 6, 2022
Video by JG
Mckate's 7/6/2022 video of 87.
6 Jul 2022- 87 Arrives with Her Yearlings (explore.org)
Video by mckate
LunaCre's 7/6/2022 gif of 87 and her 2 big yearlings.
87 and 2 yearlings July 6, 2022 gif by LunaCre
2022.07.07: 87 and her 2 yearlings are observed at the picnic area looking for fish, 7/7/2022 video by twelve22.
87 and Her Yearlings - July 7, 2022 (explore.org)
Video by twelve22
LunaCre's 7/7/2022 gif of 87 and her hopping yearlings.
87 and 2 yearlings July 7, 2022 gif by LunaCre
2022.07.16 or prior: PhotoCaruso 7/16/2022 or prior Instagram photo of 87.
August 2022:[]
2022.08.03: Jayharwigphotography's 8/3/2022 video which includes footage of 87 and her 2 yearlings at 5:33-7:37 and 7:55-8:36.
2022.08.04: 87 and her 2 yearlings return to Brooks Camp (as seen on the cams) after a 4 week absence, 8/4/2022 video by JG.
87 and cubs check back in - Explore.org August 4, 2022
Video by JG
87 and her tall-eared yearlings dropped by for a late night snack, 8/4/2022 gif by LunaCre.
87 and 2 yearlings August 4, 2022 gif by LunaCre
2022.08.05: 87 and her 2 yearlings scavenge for fish on the lower river, 8/5/2022 video by Jen Schneider.
87 and two yearling cubs River Watch cam Explore.org 8-5-2022-2
Video by Jen Schneider
87 and her 2 yearlings walk the spit road to the spit and then head out to the lake, 8/5/2022 video by Cheryl B.
8-5-2022 LR Bear 87 & Yearlings Explore.org
Video by Cheryl B
87 and her yearlings took an evening walk on the spit, 8/5/2022 gif by LunaCre.
87 and 2 yearlings August 5, 2022 gif by LunaCre
Fall 2022:[]
87 does not appear on the list of Bears Monitored in September 2022.:
2022 Official Bears Monitored List provided by Ranger Lian, posted by Mazey 10/31/22 09:41
2023: Injured Adult Female with Two 2.5 Year-Old Cubs, 1 Cub has Large Right Front Leg Injury[]
August 2023:[]
2023.08.16: 87 returned to the Brooks River with a right shoulder and left front paw/leg injury, and her two 2.5 year-old cubs. 87 is not putting any weight on her left front paw. One of her 2.5 year-old cubs has a large right front leg injury where fur/tissue is/are missing. It is not known to us how 87 and her 2.5 year-old cub were injured. The family group made their first 2023 season live cam appearance today and both bears were injured prior to their observation on the live cams this season. The injuries, while unpleasant to observe, appear to be injuries that these two bears will recover from.
In prior seasons we have observed bears with similar or worse injuries than 87 and her 2.5 year-old cub returned to the river with this season. The resiliency of brown bears is a topic that has come up in multiple prior seasons. To help set your mind at ease, you can explore the recoveries of some other bears that have been observed using Brooks River in prior seasons. 89 Backpack is a great example of a yearling that fully recovered from a right front paw/leg injury in 2007. On July 14, 2014, Mike Fitz wrote a blog "The Resilient Bear" that discusses 89 Backpack's 2007 injury along with injured bears 420 Genghis with his 2007 broken jaw and opened side wounds, and 469 "Digger"/"Patches" with his 2013 severe limp. 489 Ted suffered a large injury where his fur was ripped open and hanging by 218 Ugly in 2007. 489 Ted, after a period of time healing, was left with a small scar in comparison to the flap of fur and skin that hung from his side after the attack by 218 Ugly. By 2010, 489 Ted's scar had gotten even smaller. In 2020, bear 27 returned to Brooks River with a left front paw/leg injury. Just look at 27 now, running, pouncing and playing like the injury never happened. 83 Wayne Brother and 814 Lurch are other examples of bears that have fully recovered from bad injuries in prior seasons. The life of a brown bear in the Alaskan wilderness is not any easy one that comes with injuries and adaptability requirements...one thing they have taught us is they are truly resilient!
Ranger Naomi Boak heard of 87's return and popped into the comments to calm the chatters: (p 10:43), (10:50) & (p 11:02).
Cruiser created these gifs (#1 ) of 87's injured 2.5 year-old cub (p 09:40). Cruiser created this gif that shows 87's left front paw injury and right shoulder wound (p 09:47). Blair-55 created these gifs (#1 & #2) of the 87 family group (p 10:24). Meeps created these gifs (#1 & #2) that show the resiliency of 87 with her injured left front paw; 87 is still able to run at speed in pursuit of salmon (p 10:46).:
Cruiser captured this video of 87 and her two 2.5 year-old cubs:
87 & 1 cub are injured BF 16Aug23 explore.org
video by Cruiser
mckate captured this video of 87 and her two 2.5 year-old cubs as they returned to Brooks River for the 2023 season.:
16 Aug 2023- 87 Arrives with Her Two-Year-Olds (explore.org)
video by mckate
2024: Adult Female w/Two 3.5 Year-Old Cubs[]
August 2024:[]
2024.08.10: Cruiser captured this video of 87 with her two 3.5 year-old cubs:
(mckate's video of the 87 family group)
87 & 3.5yr olds pass through KRV Aug 10 2024 explore.org
video by Cruiser
How 87 Got Her Nickname:[]
87 does not have a NPS nickname. KNP&P has moved away from using nicknames.
Known Courting & Mating:[]
None as of 2019 Season[]
Known Litters of Cubs:[]
1st Known Litter, 2 Spring Cubs, Larger Darker Cub is Male:[]
2021: 2 Spring Cubs, 1st Known Litter, Larger, Darker Cub is Male[]
87 returned to Brooks River with her 1st known litter, 2 spring cubs. The larger, darker cub is a male (8/5/2021).
2022: 2 Yearlings[]
2023: Two 2.5 Year-Old Cubs, 1 with large right front leg injury, missing fur/tissue[]
2024: Two 3.5 Year-Old Cubs[]
Known Relatives:[]
Unknown at this time
Genetics Study Samples Obtained:[]
Unknown at this time