477 Sara July 2021 NPS photo
Adult Female
Year First Identified: 2001 as an adult
Year Last Observed: 2023
Offspring Of: Not known at this time
Known Litters of Cubs: 4 (per page 50 of 2016 Bears of Brooks River book )
Genetics Study Samples Obtained: 477 Sara was successfully darted in 2005 and 2006 by former wildlife biologist Tamara Olson. There have been no darting attempts (successful or unsuccessful) of 477 Sara in 2016 or 2017 by Ranger Michael Saxton for the genetics study.
Identification:[]
In 2010, the bear monitor prior to Ranger Leslie described 477 Sara as medium-sized adult female with thin muzzle, lower lip droop, a light coat with blonde highlights, large blonde ears, white claws and a collar.
In 2011, the bear monitor prior to Ranger Leslie described 477 Sara as a light brown adult female with light neck markings, long narrow muzzle, and large blonde ears. 477 Sara is a medium-sized adult female bear with light colored, and oval shaped ears. She has long, distinctive claws, nine are very white and the 4th claw on her left front paw if dark . In July, her coat is light brown or dark blonde. In the fall, her coat is more uniformly brown. She has a long, straight snout and a droopy lower lip.
Distinctive Behaviors:[]
In July, in the years she is observed, she will fish at the riffles and the cut bank. During the fall, in the years she is observed, she fishes the upper Brooks River near the outlet of Lake Brooks and the cut bank, perhaps to avoid the presence of groups of people. She does not appear to consistently tolerate people in the river.
Life History:[]
Since 2001, 477 Sara has sporadically visited Brooks River. Some years she uses the river in July and in the fall. In other years, she is only seen in one season, but not the other or not at all.
2001:[]
477 Sara was first identified as an adult female in 2001.
2002:[]
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2003:[]
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2004:[]
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2005:[]
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2006:[]
477 Sara was observed in both July and fall of 2006. She was also caring for offspring that year.
July 2006:[]
July 2006 NPS photos of 477 Sara from the 2017 Bears of Brooks River book, page 54.:
2006.07.02: NPS photos labeled as 477 Sara from KNP&P bear monitoring files :
2006.07.03: NPS photos labeled as 477 Sara from KNP&P bear monitoring files :
2006.07.05: NPS photos labeled as 477 Sara from KNP&P bear monitoring files :
2006.07.06: NPS photos labeled as 477 Sara from KNP&P bear monitoring files :
2006.07.09: NPS photo labeled as 477 Sara from KNP&P bear monitoring files :
2006.07.13: Nichole captured these photos of 477 Sara and her three 2.5 year-old cubs: #1 (the three 2.5 year-old 477 offspring only) , #2 (477 Sara may be the bear in front of the 2.5 year-olds) , #3 (477 Sara with her three 2.5 year-olds) .
2006.07.14: Nichole captured this photo of 477 Sara with her three 2.5 year-old cubs.
September 2006:[]
September 2006 NPS photos of 477 Sara from the 2017 Bears of Brooks River book, page 54.:
2006.09.11: NPS photos labeled as 477 Sara from KNP&P bear monitoring files :
2006.09.15: NPS photos labeled as 477 Sara from KNP&P bear monitoring files :
2007:[]
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2008:[]
477 Sara returned to the Brooks River area with 3 spring cubs.
2009:[]
477 Sara had 3 yearlings.
June 2009:[]
2009 06.29: Jim Allen's 6/29/2009 photo of 477 Sara and her 3 yearlings 251, 253 and 261.
2010:[]
2010 Season:[]
477 Sara successfully emancipated her 3 offspring from her 2008 litter. These offspring were identified as independent 2.5 year-old subadults and assigned bear identification numbers 251, 253 , and female 261 .
July 2010:[]
September 2010:[]
2010.09.11: NPS photos labeled as 477 Sara from KNP&P bear monitoring files :
2010.09.12: NPS photos labeled as 477 Sara from KNP&P bear monitoring files :
2011:[]
477 Sara was observed in 2011. See information in "Identification" section above.
2012:[]
July 2012:[]
2012.07.09: NPS photos labeled as 477 Sara from KNP&P bear monitoring files :
2012.07.15: NPS photos labeled as 477 Sara from KNP&P bear monitoring files :
2012.07.20: NPS photos labeled as 477 Sara from KNP&P bear monitoring files :
2013:[]
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2014:[]
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2015:[]
June 2015:[]
2015.06.28: Cam viewer Marie G shared these snapshots (#1 , #2 & #3 ) of 477 Sara.:
July 2015:[]
2015.07.18: Park visitor Kenneth Kearney captured this close-up photo of 477 Sara's claws. Note the dark 4th claw on the left front paw. Kenneth Kearney also captured these photos (#1 & #2 ) of 477 Sara where the dark 4th claw on the left front paw can also be seen.
2015.07.29: Anna-Marie _AZ, KNP&P volunteer, park visitor, cam viewer, and cam op captured these 2 photos of 477 Sara at Brooks Falls.
Please request Anna-Marie's permission prior to using her photos!
2016:[]
477 Sara appears in the 2016 Bears of Brooks River book on page 50 :
2016 Season:[]
477 Sara was not observed during official bear monitoring sessions in 2016 according to the 2017 Bears of Brooks River book; she also does not appear on the 2016 Bears Observed During Official Bear Monitoring Sessions List .
September 2016:[]
2016.09.11: Ronald Woan's 9/11/2016 photos of 477 Sara, #1 and #2.
2017:[]
477 Sara appears in the 2017 Bears of Brooks River book on page 54:
2017 Season:[]
477 does not appear on the unofficial July 2017 Bears Observed During Official Bear Monitoring Sessions List or the unofficial Fall 2017 Bears Observed During Official Bear Monitoring Sessions List .
Bob Gjestvang captured this photo of 477 Sara on August 17, 2017 or prior.
Cam viewer olddude shared this 2017 or 2018 snapshot of 477 Sara on 4/15/2020.
July 2017:[]
2017.07.05: reweaver33 captured this photo of 477 Sara.
2017.07.10: Park visitor and cam viewer Cheekyjoy captured this photo of 477 Sara from the riffles platform during their trip to Brooks Camp. Cheekyjoy shared a 2nd photo in chat on 2/24/2021. "Hello Everyone! Here is a shot of 477 Sara from July 2017, in the Riffles. Note her remarkable white claws and famous black striped claw, too."
Please request Cheekyjoy's permission prior to using their photograph!
2017.07.06: Brooks Camp visitor Raewyn 's 7/6/2017 photo of 477 Sara, not 151 Walker.
2017.07.09: Volunteer in Park and cam viewer Anna-Marie_AZ captured these photos (#1 and #2) of 477 Sara.
Please request Anna-Marie's permission prior to using her photographs!
2017.07.11: This 07/11/2017 video by Brenda D shows 477 Sara fishing at Brooks Falls. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
On March 16, 2018, cam viewer Mazey commented and shared this snip she captured from Brenda D's above video to demonstrate the correct ID of 477 Sara. At 4:29 into Brenda D's video 477 Sara's dark 4th claw on her left front paw is visible.:
2017.07.13: Ranger Anela's photo of 477 Sara
August 2017:[]
2017.08.13: Brenda D's video of 477 Sara (?) coming up the near riffles. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
2018:[]
2018 Season:[]
JG shared these 2018 season snapshots (#1 , #2 , #3 , #4 , #5 , #6 taken July 22, 2018  ) of 477 Sara.:
June 2018:[]
2022.06.18: Melissa Freels 6/24/2018 photo of 477 Sara at the oxbow.
Please request Melissa Freel's permission prior to using her photographs!
July 2018:[]
477 Sara was observed 3 or more times during official bear monitoring sessions during July 2018 per Ranger Russ Taylor's September 14, 2018 13:12 comment that included Ranger Tammy Carmack's official July 2018 bear monitoring session list of bear observed.:
2018.07.22: 477 Sara gif by Cruiser in which you can see 477's very white claws.
Cam viewer mckate captured this video of 477 Sara. 477 Sara's dark 4th claw on her left front paw can be seen at approximately 1:58 into mckate's video.:
Lani H created this video .:
JG shared this July 22, 2018 snapshot of 477 Sara:
2019:[]
July 2019:[]
2019.07.06: 477 Sara was only seen once on the web cams in 2019. In this 7/6/2019 video by Lani H, 477 is briefly observed walking up the riffles. Her white claws can be seen when she places her left front foot on the fallen limb at 0:37.
2020: Adult Female[]
477 Sara was included in the 2021 Bears of Brooks River book page 43.
July 2020:[]
2020.07.04: 477 Sara was first seen in 2020 on 7/4. She was briefly observed in the riffles, video by Lani H. Her noticeable white claws can be seen.
Mckate's 7/4/2020 video.
Cam viewer snapshots #1, #2 and #3.
2020.07.05: 477 Sara in the riffles, 7/5/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.07.08: 477 Sara is again seen in the riffles on 7/8/2020, video by Lani H.
2020.07.09: Brooks Camp visitor Bennett captured four 7/9/2020 photos of 477 Sara, #1, #2, #3 and #4.
FrogsOn captured this July 9, 2020 snapshot of 477 Sara in the riffles. Her white claws are visible.
2020.07.10: Close up of 477 Sara eating in the riffles, 7/10/2020 video by Lani H.
Mckate's 7/10/2020 video. Sara bellies up to the bar.
2020.07.13: Cam viewers shared 7/13/2020 snapshots of 477 Sara eating her fish in the riffles, #1, #2 and #3.
2020.07.15: 821 scares 477 Sara in the riffles, 7/15/2020 video by Lani H.
September 2020:[]
2020.09.22: 477 Sara was observed twice on 9/22/2020. The last time she is believed to have been observed in the fall was in September 2010. That does not mean she has not been at Brooks Camp, she may not have been seen 3 times to be recorded by the bear monitor. From the NPS Bear Book:"Some years she uses the river in July and in the fall. In other years, she is only seen in one season but not the other or not at all. In July, she will fish at the riffles and the cut bank. During fall, she fishes the upper Brooks River near the outlet of Lake Brooks and the cut bank, perhaps to avoid the presence of groups of people."
Birgitt captured 9/22/2020 video of 477 Sara passing through the riffles.
Lani H captured 9/22/2020 video of 477 Sara at the falls and then in the riffles.
2021: Adult Female[]
477 Sara was included in the 2022 Bears of Brooks River book page 46.
July 2021:[]
2021.07.05: 477 Sara arrived at Brooks Camp on 7/5/2021, video by mckate. She could be seen walking from the spit across to the point and along the far path. Her bright white claws were very noticeable.
2021.07.12:
2021.07.13: 477 Sara stops by the falls and the riffles, 7/13/2021 video by JG.
2021.07.15: 477 Sara crosses the river, 7/15/2021 video by mckate. "We didn't get to see her white claws for confirmation, but I think that looked like her muzzle."
2021.07.23: 477 Sara fishes near the falls, 7/23/2021 video by JG.
Shel_ captured six 7/23/2021 snapshots that are believed to be 477 Sara, #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 and #6.
151 Walker is fishing near the fish ladder when 477 Sara arrives to fish near the platform. 151 Walker tries to move her away but she does not budge, 7/23/2021 video by Cheryl B.
7-23-2021 8-18 PM Back off I'm trying to fish 151 Walker & 477 Sara, 503 in background Explore.org
Video by Cheryl B
September 2021:[]
2021.09.07: 477 Sarah is seen in the riffles in JG's 9/7/2021 video. She was last observed 6 weeks ago.
477 Sara returns from her walkabout, 9/7/2021 video by mckate. "Just a glimpse, but another great catch by JG. She was last seen on the cams on July 23rd. We'll have to continue to watch for her in the riffles."
2022: Adult Female[]
June 2022:[]
2022.06.24: 477 Sara was first observed in 2022 on the lower river, 6/24 video by JG. 477's white claws are quite noticeable.
2022.06.27: Note: When Sara was observed on 6/27/2022, there were questions as to why her 4th left from claw appears almost fully white. In years past, that claw has been darker than the rest of her claws. Cam viewer radioquiet noted that the claw has whitened over the years. "I think it is 477. I think the dark color of her 4th claw has been disappearing the last several years." Please see this link with radioquiet's observations and attached photo links which show the progression of the claw color from 2015-2021.
Truman Evert's captured two 6/27/2022 photos of 477 Sara, #1 and #2. "I have an idea who this is, but am not sure enough to ID. I fell in love with this face, at once. The bear came up the road from the Q, and paused enough for clear pics. I was fortunate to be on the lower platform with a long lens...so when the bear came right up to the platform, and paused (posed?) I was able to get an unusually close shot. One unusual characteristic was almost white claws...here's a pic from a minute earlier...to help potential IDers..." Truman Evert's 6/27/2022 photo of 477 Sara. Truman Evert's 6/27/2022 photos of 477 Sara, #1, #2 and #3. Truman Everts also captured a close-up photo of 477 Sara's claws. "Well, since we finally got to a fairly decisive conclusion (thanks to radioquiet & mazey), last night, that the bear I posted with the beautiful white-ish claws was, in fact, probably 25+ year-old 477 (aka: "Sara"), it seemed like a good time to give this beautiful bear her turn in the "Portrait" chair."
In response to a cam viewer question "Is it common for front and back claws to be different color if front claws are white?" Mike Fitz replied "If a bear has light-colored front claws like Sara or Holly, then the claws on the hind feet are usually a shade or two or more darker. I don't know why this is, although I wonder if claw length has anything to do with it. Front claws grow much longer than rear claws."
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
July 2022:[]
477 Sara appears on the list of Bears Monitored in July 2022.
2022.07.11: 477 Sara finishes her meal an cleans her paw below the falls platform, 7/11/2022 gif by radioquiet.
477 Sara fishes the riffles, 7/11/2022 video by JG.
2022.07.12: Close-up of 477 Sara eating fish by the picnic area, 7/12/2022 video by Jen Schneider.
Beautiful 477 Sara at the river watch area, 7/12/2022 video by Jen Schneider.
JG's 7/12/2022 long video of 477 Sara.
477 Sara (left) is not interested in the 2nd bear's advances, 7/12/2022 gif by LunaCre.
Cam viewer snapshots of 477 Sara on 7/12/2022 by Binkydog, twelve22, Ripple, SaraPNW, Libbiticus, Hpheil (bear fan) and SugarGmum21.
.jpg "477 Sara July 12, 2022 snapshot by Hpheil (bear fan).jpg (191 KB)")
2022.07.14: 477 Sara searches for fish in the riffles, 7/14/2022 video by JG. This was the last date that 477 Sara was observed in 2022.
477 Sara looks around for trapped salmon, 7/14/2022 gif by LunaCre.
2023: Adult Female[]
July 2023:[]
2023.07.16: Was this 477 Sara that made a brief appearance on the spit in this video captured by LaBelleCorisande? One little glimpse of those neon white claws would remove any doubt. This is 477 Sara (see 07/17/23 video).
Please be 477 Sara 2023-07-16 1pm KRV explore.org
video by LaBelleCorisande
mckate captured this video of 477 Sara. This bear really does look like 477 Sara, but she did not give us even one tiny glimpse of her neon white claws. (see 7/17/23 video):
16 Jul 2023- 477 Sara Arrives without Fanfare, Again (explore.org)
video by mckate
2023.07.17: Today 477 Sara confirmed her ID by giving us a glimpse of her neon white claws...approximately 1:36 into this video captured by twelve22:
477 Sara (?) on the Spit - July 17, 2023 (explore.org)
video by twelve22
2023.07.19: 477 Sara shows off her neon white claws in this gif created by Cruiser (p 16:02).:
2023.07.23: 477 Sara & her beautiful white claws video by Cruiser:
477 Sara & her beautiful white claws RF 23Jul23 explore.org
video by Cruiser
September 2023:[]
2023.09.09: Blair-55 created this gif of 477 Sara (p 17:28).:
mckate captured this video of 477 Sara returning from her walkabout:
9 Sep 2023- 477 Returns From Her Walkabout (explore.org)
video by mckate
Known Litters of Cubs:[]
477 Sara has had 4 known litters of cubs per page 50 of the 2016 Bears of Brooks River book. Those litters include:
2006:[]
3 cubs, see NPS photos in 477 Sara album on Ranger Jeanne's flickr, I (LTC) believe these 3 cubs were yearlings in 2006 and that all 3 yearlings were sired by 219 One-Toe (aka 492) ,
2008: 3 Spring Cubs (251, 253, & female 261)[]
3 Spring Cubs, all 3 were later identified in 2010 as independent 2.5 year-old subadults and given the following identification numbers: 251, 253 , and female 261 . Could 911 be 253? In 2018 there was speculation that 911 could possibly be 253. Additional photos of 253 as a subadult can be see in this September 29, 2017 Injured Nose Bears blog by Mike Fitz, former KNP&P ranger.
Known Relatives:[]
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Mother: Unknown
Offspring:
2006 Yearlings: 477 Sara's Three 2006 Yearlings Were Sired by 219 One-Toe (aka 492)
Ranger Jeanne's July 16, 2018 18:42 comment re: 219 One-Toe (aka 492) was identified as the father of 3 yearlings attributed to 477 Sarah
2008 Offspring: 251, 253, & 261
477 Sara's offspring from her 2008 litter are 251, 253 , and 261 .
Genetics Study Samples Obtained:[]
2005: Successfully Darted by Wildlife Biologist, Tamara Olson[]
477 Sara was successfully darted by former KNP&P Wildlife Biologist, Tamara Olson in 2005.
2006: Successfully Darted by Wildlife Biologist, Tamara Olson[]
477 Sara was successfully darted by former KNP&P Wildlife Biologist, Tamara Olson in 2006.
2016: None, Successful or Unsuccessful[]
There were no darting attempts (successful or unsuccessful) in 2016 by Ranger Michael Saxton for the genetics study.
2017: None, Successful or Unsuccessful[]
There were no darting attempts (successful or unsuccessful) in 2017 by Ranger Michael Saxton for the genetics study.