603 July 22, 2017 NPS photo from Ranger David Kopshever 11/09/2017 (zoom)
Adult Male
Year First Identified: 2015 as an adult male
Offspring Of: Not known at this time.
Darting Attempts: There have been no known darting attempts (successful or unsuccessful) in 2016 or 2017 by Ranger Michael Saxton for the genetics study.
PLEASE NOTE: CONFLICTING INFORMATION FROM NPS STAFF: The bear that appears as bear 603 in the 2018 Bears of Brooks River book was previously identified to bear cam viewers as bear 611 by NPS staff. The bear that was identified to cam viewers as 603 in 2017 was revealed to be bear 801 in the 2018 Bears of Brooks River book. Please also note that bear 611 was not included in the 2018 Bears of Brooks River book. We have requested additional information and clarification from the rangers. 603 is believed to be bear 68 by bear cam chatters. The Bear monitor has not confirmed this. (5/20/2020 Mazey)
This 603 wiki page follows 603's page of the 2018 Bears of Brooks River book, page 78.
Identification:[]
2017 Observations & Information from the rangers: In 2017, 603 (previously mis-identified as 611 in 2017) had a less than sign shapped ( < ) wound on his right side that has made him easier to recognize when he is viewed from his right side. He also had wounds / scars on his forehead. See 2017 photos and videos below in the 2017 Life History section. His < wound on his right side may result in a scar that is visible in future seasons, especially when he is shedding in spring / early summer. In the early season of 2017, 603 was easily confused with 856 by cam viewers and park visitors.
We have requested additional information from the rangers in an attempt to obtain the information for this section. 603 will be included in the 2018 Bears of Brooks book per Ranger Dave.
2018 Bears of Brooks River book: 603 is a medium-sized adult male. He has a light brown coat that sheds out on his face first. In 2017 he appeared with many scars on his face and neck, with several puncture-like marks on the left side of his face. His ears are light-tipped and his muzzle is dark.. He had a distinctive triangular scar behind his right shoulder that may still be visible.
2021 Bears of Brooks River book: Note: in the 2021 Bears of Brooks River book KNP&P stated that "There continues to be a controversy as to whether bear #603 and bear #68 are the same bear, identified as #603 in July and #68 in the fall." The two July 2019 NPS photos in the 2021 Bears of Brooks River book are both believed to be 68 by bear cam chatters. KNP&P has not confirmed this.
In the 2021 Bears of Brooks River book KNP&P stated that "#603 returned to Brooks River and was observed in 2019 and July 2020." Note: The July 2020 NPS photo of 603 (68) that is seen in the 2021 Bears of Brooks River book is believed by bear cam chatters to be an unknown boar. That boar appeared on the bear cams from July 6-July 19, 2020. This has not been confirmed by KNP&P.
Distinctive Behaviors:[]
2017 Observations: 603 (previously mis-identified as 611 in 2017) was observed fishing below Brooks Falls in 2017.
2018 Bears of Brooks River book: 603 was first identified as an adult in 2015, and fished primarily in the lower river. He was not identified in 2016, but returned to Brooks River in 2017. He fished the far side of Brooks Falls and occasionally in the lower river and cutbank. 603 was consistently challenged by 32 Chunk. He was pushed out of preferred fishing locations and forced to adjust his fishing techniques. Still, 603 continued to use Brooks River frequently during July. Competition between bears over limited space on the Brooks River necessitates flexibility in smaller, less aggressive bears like 603.
Life History:[]
2015: Adult Male, 1st Year Identified & Classified[]
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2016: Adult Male, Not Observed During Official Bear Monitoring Sessions[]
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2017: Adult Male, "<" Wound On Right Side[]
In 2017 when 603 was initially observed for the season on the live cams, he was originally misidentified by some cam viewers as 856, and afterwards was often referred to as "Fake856" after cam viewers realized he was not 856.
2017 Season:[]
2017.0?.??: - (2017.07.25 or Prior): On July 25, 2017 at 14:27 , Ranger Anela posted this NPS photo of 603 taken July 25, 2017 or prior.:
2017.0?.??: - (2017.08.05 or Prior): On 08/05/2017 Ranger Anela posted these NPS photos of 603: 603 photo 1 and 603 photo 2:
July 2017:[]
2017.07.?? - 2017.08.02: 603 does appeear on the unnofficial July 2017 Bears Observed During Official Bear Monitoring Sessions List , Please note, the July 2017 Bear Monitoring session ended on August 2, 2017 per Ranger Leslie in the August 2, 2017 live chat she did with Ranger Clint.
2017.07.??: 603 avoids the approach of 32 Chunk in this gif from Mike Fitz' blog: Filling the Gaps . This is possibly from July 13, 2017 at approximately 16:20 AKDT; see Flyer 7474's July 13, 2017 video of 32 displacing 603.:
2017.07.13: At approximately 16:20 AKDT Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA) captured this video of 603 being displaced by 32 Chunk.:
Melissa Freels captured this video of 603 and 32 Chunk.:
Mazey shared these July 13, 2017 snapshots (#1 603 left with 32 Chunk right , #2 & #3 ) of 603.:
2017.07.14: Cam viewer st mango (aka Mango) captured 611 in the office and above the falls on 07/14/2017.:
Brenda D captured this video of 603 on July 14, 2017. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
2017.07.17: KNP&P volunteer (VIP), cam viewer, park visitor, and cam op, Anna-Marie (aka CamOp Scout) captured these photos (#1 & #2 ) of 603:
Please request Anna-Marie AZ's permission prior to using her photos!
2017.07.18: Mazey shared these July 18, 2017 snapshots (#1 & #2 ) of 603.:
2017.07.19: KNP&P volunteer (VIP), cam viewer, park visitor, and cam op, Anna-Marie (aka CamOp Scout) captured these photos (#1 , #2 & #3 ) of 603:
Please request Anna-Marie AZ's permission prior to using her photos!
2017.07.21: KNP&P visitor and cam viewer, ElaineInDE observed 603 during her trip to Brooks Camp and shared these photos: 603 on 07/21/2017 by ElaineInDE photo 1 and 603 on 7/21/2017 by ElaineInDE photo 2 Please ask ElaineInDE's permission prior to using her photos,!
22:00 - 22:59: This July 21, 2017 Explore Recorder video includes 603 fishing the jacuzzi. At approximately 31:40 into the video, 603 submerges completely underwater (diving) and catches a fish in the jacuzzi. He then brings his catch to the South bank to eat it and returns to the jacuzzi to continue fishing.:
2017.07.22: 603 was observed by NPS staff. On 11/09/2017 Ranger Dave provided this NPS photo taken that day.:
2017.07.23: On the evening of 07/23/2017 , park visitor and cam viewer, JstDucky captured these photos of 603, 603 07/23/2017 Jstducky photo 1 , 603 07/23/2017 Jstducky photo 2 , and 603 07/23/2017 by Jstducky photo 3 :
Please request Jstducky's permission prior to using her photos!
On the evening of 07/23/2017, park visitor and cam viewer, Scammin captured this video of 603 being displaced by 32 Chunk :
Also on 07/23/17, Brenda D filmed 603 on the far bank and in the office. The scars above 611's left eye and behind his right shoulder can clearly be seen. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
On 7/23/17 cam viewer and visitor NutsBoutBears captured these 10 photos of 611. Photos are used with permission. (#1 , #2 , #3 , #4 , #5 , #6 , #7 , #8 , #9 & #10 ):
Please ask NutsBoutBears permission before using her photos!
2017.07.24: 603 can be seen from 24:50 - 38:15 into this play-by-play video by Explore with Ranger David Kopshever.
Brooks Falls 03 - Katmai National Park - July 24th, 2017 Play-by-Play with Ranger David Kopshever Explore video
This July 24, 2017 video by Brenda D shows (near to far) 480 Otis, 801 (mis-identified in 2017 as 603), and 603 (mis-identified in 2017 as 611). Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
Fall 2017:[]
603 does not appear on the unofficial Fall 2017 Bears Observed During Official Bear Monitoring Sessions List .
December 2017:[]
2017.12.10: Filling the Gaps blog by Mike Fitz re: 603.
2018: Adult Male[]
603 was included in the 2018 Bears of Brooks River book on page 78.:
July 2018:[]
2018.07.11: Could this be 603 (or early season 68?) in this video by Lani H? 747 is unsuccessful at displacing htis unidentified boar (603? / early season 68?) from the jacuzzi.:
2018.07.22: This unidentified boar (603? / early season 68?) displaces 856 from the jacuzzi in this video by Lani H.:
2019: Adult Male[]
July 2019:[]
_July_2019_NPS_photo_2021_Bears_of_Brooks_River_book_page_71_.01.jpg "603 (68) July 2019 NPS photo 2021 Bears of Brooks River book page 71 .01.jpg (235 KB)")
_July_2019_NPS_photo_2021_Bear_of_Brooks_River_book_page_71_.02.jpg "603 (68) July 2019 NPS photo 2021 Bear of Brooks River book page 71 .02.jpg (248 KB)")
2019.07.02: 747 and an unidentified boar (603? or early season 68 maybe?) fight during a play-by-play with Mike Fitz, Resident Naturalist with Explore.org. 747 lost this battle of the big boars.
Video by Lee Block:
Video by Ratna:
2019.07.04: 603 July 4, 2019 NPS photo by Ranger Tammy CarmackKNP&P Flickr. Note: this 7/4/2019 NPS photo is believed to be 68 (by bear chatters) and not 603. As noted in the 2021 Bears of Brooks Falls eBook, page 61 (603's page) "#68 may be a bear that is difficult to recognize in July. There is a controversy as to whether a bear identified as #603 in July is actually bear #68. In 2019, #68 (aka #603) began to challenge the established hierarchy of bears #747 and #856, the most dominant bears along the Brooks River. He attacked #747 and provoked a lengthy and violent battle with the river’s largest bear, at times holding #747’s head beneath the water. Bear #68 is a couple of years younger than #747 and #856. Younger, strong, aggressive bears may decide it’s their time to dominate the Brooks River."
2021:[]
603's page in the 2021 Bears of Brooks River book page 71. Note: in the 2021 Bears of Brooks River book KNP&P stated that "There continues to be a controversy as to whether bear #603 and bear #68 are the same bear, identified as #603 in July and #68 in the fall."
July 2020:[]
Note: This July 2020 NPS photo of 603 that is seen in the 2021 Bears of Brooks River book is believed by bear cam chatters to be an unknown boar. That boar appeared on the bear cams from July 6-July 19, 2020. This has not been confirmed by KNP&P.
Known Courting & Mating:[]
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Known Relatives:[]
T are no known relatives of 603 at this time.
Genetics Study Samples Obtained:[]
2016: None Known[]
There were no known darting attempts, successful or unsuccessful, of 603 by Ranger Michael Saxton for the genetics study in 2016.
2017: None Known[]
There were no known darting attempts, successful or unsuccessful, of 603 by Ranger Michael Saxton for the genetics study in 2017.
2018: Awaiting Information From Ranger Michael Saxton[]
We are awaiting 2018 genetics study sampling information from Ranger Michael Saxton.
Please Note: This page, 603, was originally set up for the bear that was identified to us in 2017 as 603. The release of the 2018 Bears of Brooks River book revealed that the bear identified to us as 603 in 2017 is now believed to be 801. The information for the bear that is now believed to be 801 has been moved to 801's wiki page. This page now contains the information, photos, and videos for the bear that the 2018 Bears of Brooks River book says is 603. That bear was originally identified to us as bear 611. The information from the original 611 page was moved to this 603 page. ~ LTC 2019.06.09