804 July 2017 NPS photo via Mike Fitz
PLEASE NOTE: 804 IS NOT LITTLE LIP FISHER...806, A FEMALE (NOT A MALE) IS LITTLE LIP FISHER 804 IS AN ADULT FEMALE, BUT NOT THE 2017 LITTLE LIP FISHER.
Adult Female (6/22/2018 confirmation from Mike Fitz )
Year First Identified: 2017
Known Offspring Of: There is speculation by some cam viewers that 804 could be the 2014 offspring of 132. The park bear monitoring staff does not share in that speculation. See "Known Relatives" section below.
Known Litters of Cubs: 0 as of 2018 season
Genetics Study Samples Obtained: 804 was successfully darted by Ranger Michael Saxton in 2017 for the genetics study.
PLEASE NOTE: 804 IS NOT LITTLE LIP FISHER, 806, A FEMALE (NOT A MALE) IS LITTLE LIP FISHER. 804 IS AN ADULT FEMALE, BUT NOT THE 2017 LITTLE LIP FISHER.[]
SEE MIKE FITZ' JUNE 23, 2019 10:38 AKDT COMMENT : Link to 804 pics only
"Good day, everyone.
I want to clear something up about a bear ID. Yesterday during the text chat I mentioned that a bear I was calling 804 last summer was not identified by the bear monitoring staff in 2018. This remains true. Bear 804 was not seen last summer, and the bear I had been calling 804 is really 806.
The confusion stems from a misidentification in the fall of 2017. At the time, bear monitoring staff confused 804 with 806 or vice versa. This point has since been corrected in their data, but in June/July last year, I didn’t yet know that. When the 2018 bear ID book was written, that wasn’t known to the editors either. Another place of confusion is that 806 was first ID’d as a male in 2017. We now know she is female. In sum, if you’ve been calling a bear “little lip fisher” then you’ve been referring to 806, not 804.
804 is an adult female who uses the river but is not regularly seen and not at all last year. Here are a few photos of her from July 2017 (sorry for the poor quality, but I don’t have the original files)."
SEE MIKE FITZ' JUNE 23, 2019 11:47 COMMENT :
Mazey asked: "Hi Mike. Are the six September 2017 photos of 804 in the 2018 Bear Book 804 then? Sorry for the stupid question, I want to make sure I understand correctly."
Mike replied: "The 2018 bear ID book incorrectly has 806 photos under 804. The title of the 804 page should be 806. I am not sure if this will be corrected in the newest edition."
Ranger Russ Taylor discueed 804 vs 806 mis-identification:
Ranger Russ Taylor comment on November 9m 2018 at 13:25 :
"Straight from the keyboard of our bear biologist.
Here are the bear totals for Brooks River 2018.
July: 52 independent bears
32, 39, 83, 89, 94+3coy, 28, 132+1coy, 151, 171, 261, 274, 284, 402+4coy, 409, 435+2yrlg, 451+3yrlg, 477, 480, 503, 504, 603, 610, 634, 708, 717, 719, 747, 755, 775, 801, 803, 806, 807, 811, 812, 820, 821, 831, 854, 856, 900, 901, 902, 903, 904, 905, 906, 907, 908, 909, 910, 911
Fall: 45 independent bears
32, 68, 83, 94+3coy, 115, 132+1coy, 171, 261, 273, 284, 402+4coy, 409, 435+2yrlg, 451+3yrlg, 480, 482+3coy, 503, 504, 602, 610, 708, 717, 719, 720, 806, 811, 812, 813+2coy, 820, 821, 831, 854, 879, 901, 902, 903, 904, 905, 906, 907, 908, 909, 910, 912, 913"
JG replied:
"Interesting, thank you.
I wonder if 804 and 806 are thought to be the same bear now?. Something I suspected despite 806 having been listed as a male in information shared with us."
Ranger Russ replied to JG at 14:25 :
"They are not the same bear. There was a misidentification last fall."
Bookmom replied to Ranger Russ:
"So is 804 not the bear we know as the Lipfisher? Which was mis-ID'd?"
Ranger Russ Taylor replied to Bookmom on November 9, 2018 at 14:33:
"804 is not lip fisher. 806 is:"
IS 804 THE 2017 "LITTLE LIP FISHER"? or IS 806 THE 2017 "LITTLE LIP FISHER"? WE ARE AWAITING MORE DETAILS FROM THE RANGERS TO HELP US STRAIGHTEN OUT THIS CONFUSION. PLEASE SEE THE 2017 & 2018 LIFE HISTORY INFORMATION BELOW AND ALSO SEE 806's WIKI PAGE !
Identification:[]
2018 Bears of Brooks River book: 804 is a medium-small adult female . She has a light brown coat with darker legs than her body. She has light tipped claws and an apparent over-bite profile. Her ears are triangular and the same shape as her head.
Distinctive Behaviors:[]
2018 Bears of Brooks River book: 804 appears to be tolerant of other bears and people. She has been observed playing with other young bears and even approaching adult female bears. 804 fished throughout Brooks River, using the lower river, cutbank and falls. She successfully fished the lip of the falls for silver salmon during September and October - making her a conspicuous presence to bear viewers. Not all bears learn to fish the lip of the falls. It’s possible that she was raised by a sow that used this fishing technique, or that she simply observed other bears and learned from them. 804’s quick learning of the lip fishing technique is one example of that.
Life History:[]
2017:[]
804 was initially assigned her bear monitoring number and classified as an adult female in 2017. She is included in the adult females section of the 2018 Bears of Brooks River book. On June 22, 2018 at 10:48 Mike Fitz confirmed for us that 804 was classified as an adult female in the 2017 bear monitoring data. On July 21, 2018 at 09:42 Mike Fitz again commented on 804 being classified as an adult female in 2017.
2017 Season:[]
Deanna Dittloff (aka deelynnd) created this video of 804 (or 806?) observations during the 2017 season. Deanna has realized since creating this video that there are a few snapshots in this video that aren't 804, but most of them are.:
July 2017:[]
2017.07.14: Is this 804 (or 806?) Little Lip Fisher in 2017? Explore Recorder video :
2017.07.28: This video by Yulia Napalkova begins with 804 (or 806?) (the little lip fishing subadult) at the top of the falls, yet not quite out far enough to successfully fish the "edge of the lip". 503 Cubadult is in the jacuzzi. At 2:29 804, the little lip fisher sits down on the top of the falls, back from the edge. At 3:22 804 stands back up, remaining back from the edge but using her paws to attempt capturing fish that make the jump of the falls. By 3:45 she is edging closer to the acutal lip and extending herself outward, but by 4:01 she is retreating back from the edge. Around 4:20 with her rump lowered, she begins that outward extension in the direction of the lip again. At 5:26 she retreats, moving right toward the fish ladder and getting closer to the actual lip, but by 5:39 the jumping fish back to her left draw her attention back to the direction that she came from. By 6:29 she has moved yet closer to the edge. She continues this back and forth...out toward the edge - retreating - out toward the edge - retreating....at 9:11 she catches a salmon that has cleared the falls. She exits the top of the falls with her fish, no longer remaining in the view of the cam. Note the subadult eating the fish below the falls as the video concludes is 503 Cubadult.
August 2017:[]
2017.08.??: Park visitor, William G captured this video of 804 (or 806?) Little Lip Fisher:
2017.08.17: In this video by Brenda D 804 can be observed approaching the river from down river of the Brooks Falls wildlife viewing platform, she walks in front of the platform and eventually makes her way to the top of the falls. When she gets to the top of the falls she appears to scan the area for other bears before approaching closer to the lip. She takes a peek over the edge of the falls and then again scans the area above the falls before continuing to advance toward the edge of the lip. She does not advance completely to the edge, but does extend to get a better look over the edge of the falls. At one point she extends her rear left leg back, continues to look over the edge of the falls and also continues to scan the area above the falls toward the far side. She then backs up, moving away from the lip and departs the top of the falls via the fish ladder. This lip fishing adventure was unsuccessful. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
2017.08.26:
719, 503 Cubadult, and 804 (or 806?) Little Lip Fisher video by Birgitt. "One of the first times the Little Lip Fisher joins siblings 503 and 719 in the far pool. She watches 503 while 719 roams. At 6:30, LLF exits our view by the Office. At 7:00, one of 402's subadults enters from the left side of the frame which explains some of the confusion over who she was.":
503 & 719 are Joined in the Far Pool by the Little Lip Fisher 8 26 17 Brooks Falls, Katmai by Birgitt
This video by Ratna begins with 503 Cubadult and 719 on the far side of the river below the falls and an adult bear fishing in the jacuzzi. At 4:24 into the video another subadult joins 503 and 719 in the river...could this be 804? If so, this video provides good views of size comparisions between 503, 719, and 804.
3 sub adults at the falls P1 8 26 2017 503 Cubadult, 719, and Who?~804 Little Lip Fisher maybe? by Ratna
This video by Ratna zooms to 503 Cubadult and 804 in the far side of the river at 1:09. At 1:23 719 joins the other two subadults, 804 & 503. At 5:37 719 is eating her fish in 410's belly hole on the far side of the falls when 804 enters the view of the cam; 804 wanders in and out of view. At 8:21 503 Cubadult comes back into view with 804 and 719. The 3 subadults head back up river toward the far pool after 719 finishes her fish.
This video by Ratna continues where the one above left off; 804, 503 Cubadult, and 719 are in the far pool. At 2:16 the view jumps to 804 and 503 just up river of the island; 719 comes into view there shortly after. At 6:50 the three subadults approach a large boar eating a fish above the island.
Ratna video Part 4 Little Lip Fisher, 503, and 719
September 2017:[]
804 September 2017 NPS photo 2018 Bears of Brooks River book page 60
804 September 2017 NPS photo 2018 Bears of Brooks River book page 60
804 September 17, 2017 NPS photo 2018 Bears of Brooks River book page 60
804 September 2017 NPS photo 2018 Bears of Brooks River book page 60
804 September 2017 NPS photo 2018 Bears of Brooks River book page 60
804 September 2017 NPS photo 2018 Bears of Brooks River book page 60[]
2017.09.04: 503 Cubadult, 719, and 804 "Little Lip Fisher" video by Birgitt:
2017.09.08: KNP&P visitor and cam viewer, Melissa Freels captures these two photos of Little Lip Fisher while visiting Brooks Camp. THANK YOU Melissa Freels for allowing your photos of 804 to be added to the wiki page.
Please request Melissa's permission prior to using her photos!
2017.09.08-09.11: Park visitor, blogger and cam viewer Cheri is the author of a blog titled Random Currents. She has written an entry titled Katmai National Park: My Favorite Bear. Cheri had observed Little Lip Fisher over the course of her visit and has provided an intimate look and many photos of the subadult bear that has "stolen her heart."
2017.09.17: Park visitor and cam viewer, Lee (aka RiverPA) captured these photos of 804 (aka 2017 Little Lip Fisher) during their trip to Brooks Camp: THANK YOU Lee for allowing your photos of 804 to be added to the wiki page. Lee's photos can be found at these links:
Little Lip Fisher (left) w/ 503 Cubadult (right) Little Lip Fisher 1 Little Lip Fisher 2
Little Lip Fisher 3 Little Lip Fisher 4 Little Lip Fisher 5 Little Lip Fisher 6
Little Lip Fisher 7 Little Lip Fisher 8 Little Lip Fisher 9 Little Lip Fisher 10
Little Lip Fisher 11 Little Lip Fisher 12 Little Lip Fisher 13 Little Lip Fisher 14
Little Lip Fisher 15 Little Lip Fisher 16 Little Lip Fisher 17 Little Lip Fisher 18
Little Lip Fisher 19 Little Lip Fisher 20 Little Lip Fisher 21
Please request Lee (aka RiverPA)'s permission prior to using their photos!
2018: Is "Little Lip Fisher" 804 or 806?[]
804 was included in the 2018 Bears of Brooks River book on page 60:
Please note: 804 was included in the adult females chapter of the 2018 Bears of Brooks River book, however she is stated to be a subadult in the identification section of that page. On June 22, 2018, explore.org bearcam fellow and former KNP&P ranger, Mike Fitz, confirmed that 804 is classified as an adult female in the 2017 bear monitoring data. On June 22, 2018 at 10:55 Mike Fitz also shared additional information regarding 804's 2017 classification as an adult female: "The classification (as an adult female) was based on size and behavior. 2017 was the first year she was ID'd, so we don't have any other info on her life history. And remember, the classification is an estimate based on the bear monitoring staff's educated opinions.. "
2017 footage of 804 was also included in the 2018 video by GreenRiver: The Salmon Quest:
Cam viewer, GreenRiver created this video "trailer" for the upcoming 2018 Bearcam Season:
The Salmon Quest - 2018 Bear Cam Trailer (503 Cubadult, 719, & 804~2017 Little Lip Fisher) video by GreenRiver
2018 Season:[]
Mckate shared these snapshots to demonstrate how 804 (or 806?) changes from early to late season:
Deanna Dittloff (aka deelynnd) created this video of 804 (or 806?) observations during the 2018 season.:
2018.06.29 - 2018.10.20: JG created this video of 1141 snapshots of 804 (or 806?) from June 29, 2018 - October 20, 2018:
July 2018:[]
2018.07.08: 804 (or is this really 806?) slips off the lip video by LaniH:
2018.07.26: 804 (or 806?) "Little Lip Fisher demonstrates her 4-paw-hold technique video by mckate.:
2018.07.29: 804 "Little Lip Fisher" (or 806?) and 503 Cubadult: video by mckate:
On September 14, 2018 at 13:12 Ranger Russ Taylor commented and shared a list from KNP&P Bear Monitor, Ranger Tammy Carmack of bears observed during official July 2018 bear monitoring sessions. 804 was listed by number on that list in the section of bears that were observed 3 times or more.
But wait!
July 2018 & Fall 2018 Official Bear Monitoring Sessions:[]
On November 9, 2018 at 13:25 Ranger Russ Taylor commented and shared the July 2018 and Fall 2018 lists from KNP&P Wildlife Biologist, Ranger Leslie Skora and 804 is not included in the list for July 2018 or Fall 2018:
"Straight from the keyboard of our bear biologist.
Here are the bear totals for Brooks River 2018.
July: 52 independent bears
32, 39, 83, 89, 94+3coy, 28, 132+1coy, 151, 171, 261, 274, 284, 402+4coy, 409, 435+2yrlg, 451+3yrlg, 477, 480, 503, 504, 603, 610, 634, 708, 717, 719, 747, 755, 775, 801, 803, 806, 807, 811, 812, 820, 821, 831, 854, 856, 900, 901, 902, 903, 904, 905, 906, 907, 908, 909, 910, 911
Fall: 45 independent bears
32, 68, 83, 94+3coy, 115, 132+1coy, 171, 261, 273, 284, 402+4coy, 409, 435+2yrlg, 451+3yrlg, 480, 482+3coy, 503, 504, 602, 610, 708, 717, 719, 720, 806, 811, 812, 813+2coy, 820, 821, 831, 854, 879, 901, 902, 903, 904, 905, 906, 907, 908, 909, 910, 912, 913"
Oh but there is more!
On November 9, 2018 at 14:25 Ranger Russ Taylor commented and shared information about 806 being mis-identified as 804:
In response to: "Interesting, thank you.
I wonder if 804 and 806 are thought to be the same bear now?. Something I suspected despite 806 having been listed as a male in information shared with us."
Ranger Russ replied: "They are not the same bear. There was a misidentification last fall."
On November 9, 2018 at 14:33 Ranger Russ Taylor commented and shared additional information about the mis-identification of 806 as 804:
In reponse to: "So is 804 not the bear we know as the Lipfisher? Which was mis-ID'd?"
Ranger Russ replied: "804 is not lip fisher. 806 is."
August 2018:[]
2018.08.15: Carolyn captured this snapshot of 804 (or 806?): Martina shared these snapshots of 804 (or 806?) with 812.
2018.08.27: Martina shared these snapshots of 804 (or 806?):
2018.08.31: 804 (or 806?) in the office with 747 in the far pool video by Birgitt:
September 2018:[]
2018.09.29: 273 charges 804 (or 806?) Little Lip Fisher video by Birgitt:
October 2018:[]
2018.10.05: 804 (or 806?) shows off her technique video by Birgitt. Cam viewer mckate describes 804's (or 806's) technique like this: "Usually it's 1) extend right leg and look straight down, 2) run paw to the right along edge of lip 3) step back and look to the right, 4) step forward and repeat. Funny how they all have their mannerisms. She reminds me of a little ballerina.":
2018.10.17: 804 (or 806?) gif by Blair-55 :
LaniH captured the same catch on the lip by Little Lip Fisher in this video :
2018.10.20: 804 and subadult have words video by Lani H. Now, the questions about this video...
2) Is the other subadult 720 or 820?
2019:[]
For future use
2020:[]
July 2020:[]
2020.07.01: Could this female fishing the lip on the evening of 7/1/2020 be 804? A ? female bear arrived at Brooks Falls on the evening of 7/1/2020 and a little hesitantly fished the lip, first in the wrong place but then moved over to the prime spot. She did not seem to be an experienced lip fisher but was able to catch one salmon. She began to eat it on the lip but left when another bear started pursuing her for her fish, video by Lani H.
7/1/2020 video by mckate.
Cam viewers captured snapshots and a gif of the possible 804.
Melissa Freels commented on the lip fishing female on 7/1/2020. She thought it might possibly be 804. "So, I think this is the original Lippy (Little Lip Fisher), who we first saw in 2017. That means the mom we saw with the single springer may in fact be 806. Not sure if this one's number is 804, 900 or both!"
Melissa also shared a photo of a sow she believes is 804 that she took in 2018 for comparison. "I have been watching and waiting for her for a long time! I really hope it is her. Here she is in 2018."
Please request Melissa Freels' permission prior to using her photographs!
Known Courting & Mating:[]
As of the 2017 season, there is no known courting and mating information on 804.
Known Litters of Cubs:[]
804 has not had any known litters of cubs as of the 2017 season.
Known Relatives:[]
There is speculation by some cam viewers that 804 is the 2014 offspring of 132. However, the bear monitoring data does not reflect that the bear monitoring staff share in the speculation. In fact, 804 being classified as an adult female in 2017 would make her older than 132's 2014 offspring would be in 2017.
Genetics Study Samples Obtained:[]
2016: None Known ~ Prior to 1st Year Identified[]
There are no know genetics study samples obtained from 804 during 2016. 804 was initially classified in bear monitoring data and assigned her number in 2017.
2017: Successfully Darted by Ranger Michael Saxton[]
804 was successfully darted by Ranger Michael Saxton for the genetics study in 2017.