474 September 16, 2022 photo courtesy of Olatz Azcona Munárriz
Adult Male
Year First Identified: 2014 as an adult male
Year Last Observed: 2023
Offspring Of: Not known at this time
Darting Attempts: 474 was successfully darted by Ranger Michael Saxton in October 2017. There were no darting attempts, successful or unsuccessful, of 474 by Ranger Michael Saxton in 2016.
Identification:[]
474 is a medium-sized adult male bear with a dark, smooth looking face. His ears are light tipped and his coat is dark brown with longer fur on his back and neck.
Distinctive Behaviors:[]
474 is another bear only seen at Brooks River in the fall. Like most bears in September and October, he tends to fish the cut bank and lower river area, although he typically doesn't fish the mouth of the river with many people present. Many bears like 474 are only seen in the fall and typically fish the cut bank area. These bears, when observed closely, are not usually tolerant of the close proximity of people.
Life History:[]
2014:[]
474 was initially observed during official bear monitoring sessions in 2014 and classified at that time as an adult male.
September 2014:[]
2014.09: 474 NPS photograph from 2016 Bears of Brooks River book, page 71:
2014.09.??: Tim Plowden stock photos of 474 from September 2014, #1, #2 and #3.Tim Plowden also captured September 2014 video at Brooks Falls. 474 can be seen at 6:18.
October 2014:[]
2015:[]
NOTE: In early to mid September 2015 when 474 was observed, he was initially misidentified as 45 Tatonka. With additional observations and comparisons to prior season photos, it was determined that the fall 2015 bear originally believed to be 45 Tatonka was actually 474.
2015.0?.??: 474 and 89 Backpack play fighting in this video by ytb53151:
2015.??.??: Robin Hegenbarth 2015 photos of 474, #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5.
September 2015:[]
2015.09: 474 September 2015 NPS photographs from 2016 Bears of Brooks River book, page 71:
2015.09.??: Stephen Brkich captured three September 2015 photos of 89 Backpack playing with 474, #1,#2 and #3.
Note: In early to mid September 2015 when 474 was observed, he was initially misidentified as 45 Tatonka. With additional observations and comparisons to prior season photos, it was determined that the fall 2015 bear originally believed to be 45 Tatonka was actually 474.
2015.09.01: Could this be 474 that was observed on September 1, 2015? Cam viewer snapshots:
2015.09.11: 08:25 - 08:30: 474 Explore Recorder video:
08:51 - 08:55: 474 Explore Recorder video :
2015.09.14 15:07 - 15:12: 474 Explore Recorder video :
2015.09.15 11:46 - 11:51: 474 and 89 Backpck play fight Explore Recorder video :
2016:[]
474 was included in the 2016 Bears of Brooks River book on page 71:
August 2016:[]
2016.08.24 07:5?: Could this be 474 that has a confrontation with 747 in this video by Mickey Williams?:
2016.08.28 17:30: Could this be 747 chasing 474 again in this video by Mickey Williams?:
2016.08.29 07:17: Could this be 474 in this video by Mickey Williams?:
2017:[]
474 was included in the 2017 Bears of Brooks River book on page 74:
September 2017:[]
Park visitor and cam viewer Melissa Freels observed and photographed 474 during her September 2017 trip to Brooks Camp. Melissa Freels shared September 2017 photos of 474 with 151 Walker and 474 alone on 1/22/2023, #1 and #2. "I first saw 474 in September 2017. He was a handsome bear who had a scuffle with 151 Walker as we watched from the falls platform. I can't remember specific dates, but that week as we were headed home from Brooks, we learned of the horrible fight between 474 and 32 Chunk. It happened not long after we left, and after seeing the replay online, we were happy that we were not on the platform to see it live."
Please request Melissa Freel's permission prior to using her photographs!
_and_151_Walker_(right)_September_2017_photo_by_Melissa_Freels.jpg "474 (left) and 151 Walker (right) September 2017 photo by Melissa Freels.jpg (1.61 MB)")
2017.09.06 Approximately 12:00: 474 and 151 Walker interaction, 32 Chunk moves from the jacuzzi to the area of 474 and 151 video by Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA):
2017.09.09:
474 and 32 Chunk fight: September 9, 2017 play-by-play (video by Brenda D) with Ranger Becca that includes the fight between 474 and 32 Chunk. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
Explore highlights video of the fight between 474 and 32 Chunk:
474 and 32 Chunk fight September 9, 2017 video by angerbodha, includes views from Brooks Falls and Riffles live cams:
474 and 32 Chunk fight September 9, 2017 video of the view from the Riffles cam by Martina:
Birgitt's 9/9/2017 video of the 474 and 32 Chunk fight from the riffles cam.
At approximately 11:32 am Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA) captured this video of the confrontation between 32 Chunk and 474:
At approximately 17:02 Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA) captured this video of the encounter between 474 and 32 Chunk:
19:46: Mike Fitz comments about the fight between 474 and 32 Chunk:
"These events provide another opportunity for us to contemplate competition and toughness of brown bears.
The hierarchy on the river has shuffled again with more large adult males using the falls at the same time. I visited Brooks Camp earlier this week and was able to see 747, 474, and 32 Chunk. When I was at the river, these bears were usually separated in time and space. I didn’t see them commingle much at all, except for one interaction between 747 and 474 where 474 appeared to avoid the approach of 747. Based on that and videos of 32, 4747, and 747 from the bearcams, here’s the hierarchy as I currently see it:
747 > 474 > 32
68 is also very large and quite capable of maintaining access to fishing spots along with the largest adult males. However, I did not witness him interacting with 32, 474, or 747 so I am unsure where he sits in the hierarchy. It’s reasonable to assume, based on his size alone, that he ranks at least as high as 32.
474 “won” the fight with 32 from my perspective. 32 appeared to encroach on 474’s space, even lunging toward 474.
Instead of yielding, 474 decided to physically engage 32 and he quickly gained the advantage, biting into 32’s shoulder hump. 474 then disengaged, slowly moving away to fish, while 32 sat still and watched him.
Fights like this remind me of the toughness of bears. If a human were in 32’s place, he or she may have likely received life threatening injuries, but 32 Chunk just walked away. In fact, he seemed to show no outward signs of injury when he walked under the cam afterward. See LaniH's snapshot here
Intense fights among bears at Brooks Falls are relatively rare in early summer and even more so in late summer and fall when salmon can be scavenged throughout the lower half of Brooks River. This year silver (coho) salmon appear to be more abundant than average (nearly every salmon I saw bears catch at the falls was a silver salmon). Silver salmon are usually larger than the more abundant sockeye salmon and their run is later in the summer so right now they are probably richer in calories than the sockeyes who have spent weeks in fresh water without eating. Fishing at the falls now may give bears even more opportunities to get fat.
As we’ve witnessed, fishing in close proximity to your competitors though is risky. 32 Chunk’s reign at the very top of the hierarchy was short lived. However, he remains a very large adult male, one of the fattest on the river. While he seem to have free reign in July and August, he now faces stiffer and more challenging competitors this fall."
When Mike Fitz was asked: "How often during your time at Brooks did you see another adult male like Otis approach two equally large males that were fighting?"
"It's not a common sighting, but in the video of the fight Otis wasn't the only bear to approach. The other bears near the far pool--503, 68--approached the fight as well. I don't have a good explanation for this behavior. Perhaps it was curiosity or they sensed one or both bears could be vulnerable to getting displaced if they approached. I'm not sure."
Mike Fitz was asked: "Thanks Mike what are your thoughts on Otis reaction to the fight near him?"
"I'm not sure why Otis approached, but I don't think it was to referee or otherwise intervene. 68 and 503 also moved close to the fight. Maybe they were curious and defensive at the same time?"
Flyer 7474 also captured video of a confrontation between 474 and 747 on 9/9/2017. "Bear 747 has two confrontations with 474. One at the Falls and one in the Riffles."
Cam viewer and park visitor, Cheri's Random Currents blog about the 474 and 32 Chunk fight , On March 9, 2018 Cheri also shared these September 2017 photos of 474 : Photo #1 and Photo #2
2017.09.10:
Approximately 10:58: 747 confronts 474 video by Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA):
Approximately 11:38: 480 Otis confronts 474 video by Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA):
2017.09.18 14:14: 32 Chunk confronts 474 video by Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA):
Explore video of the 474 and 32 Chunk 9/18/2017 confrontation.
2017.09.22: 474 and 32 Chunk video by Brenda D. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
2017.09.23: 474 video by Brenda D. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
2017.09.28: 32 Chunk follows 474 down river video by Brenda D. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
October 2017:[]
In October 2017, Ranger Michael Saxton traveled to Brooks Camp to attempt additional darting of the bears of Brooks River. Ranger Saxton successfully darted 474 during this trip.
2017.10.03 11:15: 474 clears the falls video by Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA):
2017.10.04: 474 walks down the slippery far bank backwards, 10/4/2017 video by flyer 7474.
2017.10.05 12:46: 474 video by Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA):
2017.10.07: 474 scares off a subadult, 10/7/2017 video by Brenda D. Could that subadult have been 820? Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
2017.10.18: 474 an eagle and a magpie, 10/18/2017 video by flyer 7474.
2018:[]
2018 season: []
JG shared these snapshots of 474 from 2018, #1 and #2.
August 2018:[]
2018.08.31: 910 spots 474 in the lower river area and limps off video by Birgitt Evans:
2019: Adult Male[]
2019 season:[]
GreenRiver created this video of 474 which includes footage from 2017 and 2019.
September 2019:[]
Melissa Freels shared a September 2019 photo of 474 on 1/22/2023. "I saw 474 again in 2019; he tends to stay on the opposite side of the river from the falls, but he did come by briefly to give us a closeup look."
Please request Melissa Freels' permission prior to using her photographs!
2019.09.14: Bonnie Hankins (aka NutsBoutBears) captured this photograph of 474 (p 12/17/19 15:39 ). Bonnie Hankins shared this 9/14/2019 photo of 474 on 5/6/2020. Bonnie Hankins (aka NutsBoutBears) shared this 9/14/2019 photo of 474 on 5/26/2020.
Please request Bonnie Hankins' (aka NutsBoutBears) permission prior to using her photographs!
.jpg "474 September 14, 2019 photo by Bonnie Hankins (aka NutsBoutBears).jpg (1.16 MB)")
_.03.jpg "474 September 14, 2019 photo by Bonnie Hankins (aka NutsBoutBears) .03.jpg (897 KB)")
Mckate captured 9/14/2019 video of 474's fall arrival. "What a magnificent fellow. He stopped for about two whole seconds to assess the new bridge then sailed right underneath."
Scooch shared these 9/14/2019 photos of 474 in chat on 6/11/2020, #1 and #2.
Please request Scooch's permission prior to using her photographs!
2019.09.15: Scooch captured these photographs (#1 , #2 , #3 & #4 ) of 474 during her trip to Brooks Camp (p 03/13/2020 01:49 ). Scooch also located this snapshot a cam viewer captured around the same time.:
Please request Scooch's permission prior to using her photographs!
2019.09.21: 474 September 21, 2019 NPS photo by Ranger Tammy Carmack KNP&P Flickr.
October 2019:[]
2019.10.01: KCanada shared this snapshot of 474 (p 12/16/19 15:21 ).:
Mckate captured this 10/1/2019 video of 474 taking a break in the far pool.
Birgitt also captured 10/1/2019 video of 474 sleeping on a rock.
2019.10.03: 474 stays above the fray, 10/3/2019 video by mckate.
2020: Adult Male[]
474 was included in the 2021 Bears of Brooks River Book page 67.
September 2020:[]
2020.09.12: Previous to 474 making his first 2020 daytime appearance on 9/13/2020, JG captured this late night bears video on 9/12/2020. Two videos of possibly 474 had been posted in chat and JG commented that the 2nd video (late night bears) was "likely" 474. 747 is seen on the island, 474 enters the frame at 0:07 and 812 at 1:33.
Birgitt also captured 9/12/2020 video of the interactions.
2020.09.13: 474 makes his first fall appearance, 9/13/2020 video by mckate. "This is another of the fall-only bears."
2020.09.14: 474 is seen in the far pool in his favorite backwards position, 9/14/2020 video by Lani H. 474 is known to rest with his arms and head on the rock.
2020.09.20: Lani H 9/20/2020 video of 474 in the far pool.
2020.09.21: 474 and 151 Walker painlessly switch spots in the far pool, 9/21/2020 video by mckate.
2020.09.22: 474 watches 602 snorkel, 9/22/2020 video by mckate
2020.09.24: Lani H 9/24/2020 video of 474 relaxing in the far pool.
2020.09.25: 474 posing on a rock in front of Brooks Falls, 9/25/2020 video by Lin Outdoors.
2020.09.26: Hey Princess 9/26/2020 video, 32 Chunk showing his dominance on 474 or just really itchy?
2020.09.30: 812 (near) and 474 (far) in the far pool, 9/30/2020 video by Lani H.
October 2020:[]
2020.10.01: 474 walks down the riffles, 10/1/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.10.02: Lani H video of 474 hanging out with his rock in the far pool, 10/2/2020.
2020.10.03: 474 walks by the riffles platform, 10/3/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.10.04: 474 (near) and 812 fish in the far pool, 10/4/2020 video by Hey Princess.
2020.10.05: 10/5/2020 video by Hey Princess, 812, 602, 820 at the falls, 474 arrives and goes to the far pool.
Mckate's 10/5/2020 video "He's right behind me isn't he? I was thinking that might be a kind if tricky place for 602 to relax and enjoy conversation with 820. Fortunately it was just 474 and not someone a little scarier."
2020.10.06: 474 (near) is seen in the riffles in this 10/6/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.10.09: A nice closeup video by Hey Princess of 474 at the falls, 10/9/2020.
2020.10.10: 812 (near) and 474 in the far pool, 10/10/2020 video by Hey Princess.
2020.10.11: 474 in the office, 10/11/2020 video by Lani H.
474 was also seen in the riffles on 10/11/2020, video by Lani H.
2020.10.12: Mckate's 10/12/2020 video, 474 (near) joins 115 (far) in the far pool.
474 scares 602 off the lip falls view, 10/12/2020 video by Lani H.
Katmai - 474 and 602: It's boss time, villain style, 10/12/2020 video by FormerBear. "The Fall turns some bear boars into villains, protecting their fishing spots, their spoils and handling any fools that dare annoy them. 602 has recent history with 474. Or as 474 remembers it, fond memories!"
2020.10.15: 474 in the office on a misty morning, 10/15/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.10.17: Lani H 10/17/2020 video of 474 roaming around the falls area.
2020.10.19: 474's tight fit, 10/19/2020 video by mckate. "So many of them go through this arch. An easy way to mark?"
2020.10.21: 474 (far) and 812 in the far pool, 10/21/2020 video by Lani H. 474 was very tolerant of 812 frequently fishing nearby.
2020.10.22: Is this 474 from the riffles to the falls in this 10/22/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.10.23: Lani H 10/23/2020 video. Is this 474 entering the far pool?
2020.10.24: Lani H 10/24/2020 video of 474 up close in the office.
2020.10.25: A boar believed to be 474 surveys the riffles in this 10/25/2020 video by mckate.
2021: Adult Male[]
474 was included in the 2022 Bears of Brooks River book page 73.
It was noted in the 2022 Bears of Brooks River book that "In recent years, #474 was seen fishing at Brooks Falls for silver salmon. #474 was seen only in late fall of both 2019 and 2020. In 2021, #474 did not making the bear monitoring scans but he was seen in fall."
September 2021:[]
2021.09.09-09.14: Theresa Bielawski shared two 9/9-9/14/2021 photos of 151 Walker with 474, #1 and #2. Theresa Bielawski shared six 9/9-9/14/2021 photos of 474 and 474 with 151 Walker, #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 and #6. "Here are some pics of 474, two have 151 in them. Sept 2021."
Please request Theresa Bielawski's permission prior to using her photographs!
_and_474_(far)_September_9-September_14,_2021_photo_by_%C2%A9Theresa_Bielawski_.01.jpg "151 Walker (near) and 474 (far) September 9-September 14, 2021 photo by ©Theresa Bielawski .01.jpg (1.06 MB)")
_and_474_(left)_September_9-September_14,_2021_photo_by_%C2%A9Theresa_Bielawski_.02.jpeg "151 Walker (right) and 474 (left) September 9-September 14, 2021 photo by ©Theresa Bielawski .02.jpeg (1.18 MB)")
_and_474_(left)_September_9-September_14,_2021_photo_by_%C2%A9Theresa_Bielawski_.03.jpg "151 Walker (right) and 474 (left) September 9-September 14, 2021 photo by ©Theresa Bielawski .03.jpg (979 KB)")
_and_474_(left)_September_9-September_14,_2021_photo_by_%C2%A9Theresa_Bielawski_.04.jpg "151 Walker (right) and 474 (left) September 9-September 14, 2021 photo by ©Theresa Bielawski .04.jpg (1.11 MB)")
2021.09.13: 474 was seen in the riffles on the first day he returned, 9/13/2021 video by JG.
474 arrives, 9/13/2021 video by mckate. "I couldn't tell if he was fishing or studying the occupants up in the far pool. Maybe both. Good to see that this handsome fall boar has returned."
2021.09.14: 474 makes his far pool entrance and 151 Walker gives him a wide berth, 9/14/2021 video by mckate.
2021.09.15: 474 (left) fishes the far pool with 480 Otis (office) and 747 (conveyer), 9/15/2021 video by Cheryl B. He catches a fish and takes it to the top of the falls to eat.
2021.09.16: 474 at his preferred fishing spot, 9/16/2021 video by Hey Princess. This was the last day 474 was seen in 2021.
Mckate's 9/16/2021 video, 474 takes a rest.
2022: Adult Male[]
2022 Season:[]
Deanna Dittloff (aka deelynnd) created this 2022 season video of 474, "Bear 474 2022."
September 2022:[]
474 appears on the list of Bears Monitored in September 2022.
2022.09.16: Olatz Azcona Munárriz shared a 9/16/2022 photo of 474 on 1/22/2023. "474 was fishing in the far pool when I made it to the falls the late morning of my fourth day trip to Brooks River. Twenty minutes later 856 showed up above the falls, walked across the river toward the far side, and stood in front of 747, that was on the conveyor belt, for a few minutes. He then climbed down the falls and headed to the far pool, where he displaced 474. This one complained and growled at him, but moved out, walked across the river, and left."
Please request Olatz Azcona Munárriz's (aka Olatz) permission prior to using their photographs!
2022.09.19: In 2022, 474 was first observed on 9/19, video by JG. In past years, 474 was often observed facing downstream next to a boulder which was displaced over the off season. He seems to have adjusted to it missing this year.
2022.09.20: 474 jumps 602, 9/20/2022 video by mckate. "474 is generally pretty mild mannered, but has been known to snap. Just ask 32."
474 throughout the day, 9/20/2022 video by JG.
2022.09.21: 474 fishes near the falls platform, 9/21/2022 video by JG.
2022.09.23: 474 (left) and 151 Walker (right) fish the far pool, 9/23/2022 gif by LunaCre.
2022.09.26: 503 displaces 474, distant limited view in this 9/26/2022 video by JG.
2022.09.27: 474 observes 821 eating his fish, 9/27/2022 gif by LunaCre.
2022.09.28: 474 enjoys his fish in the far pool, 9/28/2022 gif by LunaCre.
2022.09.29: 856 displaces 474 from the office in this 9/29/2022 video by JG.
2022.09.30: Close up view of 474 fishing in the office, 9/30/2022 video by JG.
474 displaces 89 Backpack in a roundabout way, 9/30/2022 video by mckate. "474 actually looked a little concerned about 99 (right) which seems surprising."
October 2022:[]
2022.10.02: 474 in the far pool, 10/2/2022 snapshot by abbilovesanimals.
2022.10.04: Corisande's two 10/4/2022 snapshots of 474, #1 and #2.
2022.10.05: 474 walks past the platform, 10/5/2022 video by mckate. "Nice look at this fellow who is usually in the far pool."
474 is all concentration in the far pool, 10/5/2022 video by mckate.
2022.10.08: 474 eats his fish by the far wall, 10/8/2022 gif by LunaCre.
2022.10.09: 480 Otis displaces 474 from the office, 10/9/2022 video by mckate. "He's actually moved him a couple of times. Otis may be old and missing a few teeth, but he's still a large boar. If he can displace 474, he could probably also displace other office occupiers like 89, 602, and maybe even 151."
2022.10.10: 474 was last observed on 10/10/2022, snapshot by CyndiL.
2023: Adult Male[]
September 2023:[]
2023.09.05: 474 returned to the Brooks River for the 2023 season; tzusruled created this gif (p 18:34). tzusruled also created these gifs (#1 & #2) of 474 (p 19:21).:
mckate captured this video of 474's arrival and being followed by 32 Chunk:
5 Sep 2023- 474 Arrives and is Followed by 32 (explore.org)
video by mckate
Known Courting & Mating:[]
Add here
Known Relatives:[]
There are no known relatives of 474 at this time.
Darting Attempts:[]
2016:[]
There were no darting attempts, successful or unsuccessful, by Ranger Michael Saxton in 2016.
2017:[]
474 was successfully darted by Ranger Michael Saxton in October 2017,