Subadult Male
Year First Identified: 2017 as a 2.5 year-old independent subadult, 2015 year of birth
Genetics Study Samplings Obtained: There have been no known genetics study samplings obtained of 809 by Ranger Michael Saxton in 2016 or 2017.
Identification:[]
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Distinctive Behaviors:[]
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Life History:[]
2015: Spring Cub with 273, Year of Birth[]
2015 Season:[]
Cam viewer, Grandmaj shared this 2015 snapshot of 273 and her spring cub (809).:
273 and her spring cub at varioius times during the 2015 season prior to September 1, 2015 highlighted in this Explore Bears & Bison video :
Cam viewer, Cruiser shared this 2015 season gif of 273 and her spring cub (809) at the falls:
July 2015:[]
273 returned to Brooks River in July 2015 with one spring cub. She proved to be an attentive, playful mother and her cub mimicked her behavior closely. The antics of mother and cub quickly captured the attention of bear watchers at Brooks Camp and on the bearcams
2015.07.12 : 273 with spring cub video by Nancy Clark:
2015.07.14: 273 with spring cub photo by Mike Fitz.
2015.07.16: 273 with spring cub photos by Mike Fitz: Photo #1 , Photo #2 , Photo #3 , Photo #4 , Photo #5 , Photo #6 , Photo #7 , Photo #8 , Photo #9 , Photo #10 , & Photo #11
Park visitor Kenneth Kearney's photos of 273 and her spring cub: 273's spring cub (809) , 273 with her spring cub (809) , 273 with her spring cub (809) , 273 with her spring cub (809) , 273 with her spring cub (809) , 273 with her spring cub (809) , 273 with her spring cub (809) , 273 with her spring cub (809) , 273 with her spring cub (809) in background and 289 in foreground , 273 with her spring cub (809) in background and 289 in foreground , 273 with her spring cub (809) in the background and 289 in the foreground , 273 with her spring cub (809) in the background and 289 in the foreground , 273 with her spring cub (809) in the background and 289 in the foreground , 273 with her spring cub (809) in the background and 289 in the foreground , 273 in background with 289 in foreground , 273 (right) and 289 (left) , 273 (right) and 289 (left) , 273 (right) and 289 (left) , 273's spring cub (809), 273 with spring cub (809) , 273's spring cub (809) , 273 with spring cub (809) , and 273 with spring cub (809) . Kenneth Kearney also captured these photographs of 273 with her spring cub (809) on the rock.:#1 , #2 (cub sticking tongue out) , #3 (273 yawning) , #4, #5, #6 & #7 . 775 Lefty comes in close proximity to 273 and her spring cub (809) on the rock in this photo by Kenneth Kearney.
On July 17, 2016 at 14:39 Ranger Mike shared this photo of 273 with her spring cub that he took on the evening of July 16, 2015 . Please note early in the 2015 season 273 and her spring cub were thought to possibly be 39 and a spring cub. 273's identification was confirmed later in the season.:
273 with spring cub video by Cloud:
Cam viewer Scooch wrote this poem from 273's spring cub (now 809) to 273 :
"Mother ~
In my heart are many memories
of the loving things you've done.
I want to tell you that I'm thankful
for each and every one.
There is a special memory
I'd like to mention too...
Ever since I can remember
I remember loving you."
12:52: KNP&P Facebook post with July 15, 2015 photo of 273 & spring cub by Ranger Mike Fitz :
19:30: 273 and her spring cub Part 1 video by MsDebbiB:
19:40: 273 and her spring cub Part 2 video by MsDebbiB:
KNP&P video "You Wanna Piece of Me" of 273 and spring cub's interaction with 289:
In this July 2015 live chat on Bear Dominance with Ranger Roy Wood and Ranger Mike Fitz they discuss spring cub 809's reaction to the above "You Want A Piece of Me" interaction between 273 and 289 at the 34:15 mark:
Cam viewer, Dicky Neely created this painting of the 273 with spring cub 809 and 273 interaction:
Late July 2015: Brooks Camp visitor Theresa Bielawski shared eleven photos of 273 and her spring cub 809 in chat on 4/17/2021, #1, #2,#3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10 and #11. Theresa commented "Thank you Stacey and Mike for the great book club meeting. Here are some pictures I have to share of 273 & Velcro from 2015. This was from late July 2015." Please request Theresa Bielawski's permission prior to using her photographs!
August 2015:[]
Cam viewer, Tammya shared this August 2015 snapshot of 273 with her cub, 809.
2015.08.06: 273 and her spring cub video by jmmcentyre:
273 and her spring cub video by park visitor Donna Archer. (1:35, possibly 500 Indy, 1:48-2:33, 402 and her quads, 2:33 to the end, 273 and 809. 273 and her cub climb trees and get in trouble in camp) .:
2015.08.08: 273 family group video by Margaret Saint Clair:
2015.08.10: 273 and her spring cub captured the attention of cam viewers. Cam viewer, Pirate Autumn captured this snapshot and created a painting from it:
2015.08.11:
Ranger Mike shares information about 273 and announces that the bear that was believed to possibly be 39 with a single spring cub is now believed to be 273 per Ranger Leslie Skora:
"Last week, the bear with the single spring cub who is often seen on the cam damaged several buildings, including an occupied ranger cabin. The bear is not 39 (like I suspected, but was never 100% sure of). According to Leslie Skora, Katmai's bear monitor, she is probably 273.
273 (page 34 in the bear ID book) has likely damaged property in the past. Bears have good memories. Even Experiences they have as cubs can stick in their minds through adulthood.
In order to prevent more property damage, we have decided to escalate our attempts to haze the bear away from buidlings. Through increased staff presence and firmer, but still relatively low level hazing techniques (like air horns and other noise makers). I believe we can adequately deter this bear from damaging any more buildings. 273 has damaged the bridge, and if she continues to do that, then rangers will attempt to haze her away from the bridge is she damages it.
Of course, the situation is complicated because 273 has a spring cub and we are concerned for its welfare too. We also have to be careful when hazing is applied near the bridge. The river is where bears find food. Therefore, hazing must be applied selectively in order to send the correct message (stop messing with the bridge) and not drive the family away from the river. Hazing is most effective when it is done in conjunction with specific place or bear behavior (like damaging a building or bridge). We will only haze her if she is damaging property or other buildings.
You might see two rangers carrying shotguns this week. One shotgun is loaded with a non-lethal round like bean bags (which are designed to bruise and sting, but not permanently hurt the bear). Policy (and bear behavior) does require a second person carry a shotgun with lethal rounds in it whenever other deterrent rounds are used. We ought not need these weapons except in extreme circumstances, but they will be carried.
If you want to read more about how bears are managed at Katmai, especially in regard to hazing, please read Katmai's bear management plan: The responsive management section beginning on page 21 is maybe most relevant to this situation .
Overall, it is far easier and safer to prevent these incidents than it is to haze bears. That's why prevention is emphasized so heavily at Brooks Camp. However, the location of Brooks Camp invites bear-human conflicts. Rangers can't patrol the area 24/7. (Just yesterday, I erected a hastily installed electric fence around a building that 273 had damaged and entered.) Anytime, we deal with conflicts at this level, I worry. I worry for bears and for the people who deal with these situations, but as long as building remain where they are, bears and people will clash here on some level."
273 and the floating bridge gate video by Juanita Roper:
273 and the floating bridge gate video by JoeBear.: (note: 273 was initially mis-identified as 39)
273 in a tree near wader sign video by Martina:
2015.08.12:
Ranger Mike's update on the 273 family group:
"273 avoided the camp area, so no action from rangers was necessary yesterday (August 11, 2015)."
Juergen gifs of 273 family group from early morning August 12, 2015 (before 08:30): Gif #1 & Gif #2 .
273's spring cub climbs a tree near the grassy knoll approximately 11:51 video by JoeBear:
2015.08.12 - 2015.08.18: Ranger Mike provides updates the NPS staff's efforts to manage the 273 family group:
2015.08.13:
Ranger Mike's update on the 273 family group:
"273 approached the buildings once or twice, but rangers did not have to haze her. Each time she approached, she turned and avoided the camp area."
273 and spring cub share a fish at the wedge of the floating bridge and then make their way to the corner videoby Victoria White:
2015.08.14:
Ranger Mike's update on the 273 family group:
"No action from rangers, other than watching the bear, was necessary yesterday (August 13, 2015). This morning (August 14, 2015), 273 began chewing on the bridge. A ranger approached and clapped her hands and that broke 273's attention. In many situations at Brooks Camp, mild hazing like clapping hands is all that is necessary to gain a bear's attention and get them to stop whatever they are doing."
273 and spring cub star in this "Stop chewing that bridge!" video by JoeBear:
Juergen gif of 273 and spring cub's mild hazing by ranger.
273 nursing spring cub video by Juanita Roper (aka BirdyGirly):
273 and spring cub on spit video by Hotpepper gyrl (Rose):
2015.08.15: Ranger Michael Saxton hazes 273 from the floating bridge video by Juanita Roper (aka BirdyGirly):
2015.08.16: 273 and her spring cub running in response to seeing another bear (151 Walker possibly) video by DTB.
2015.08.17:
Ranger Mike's update on the 273 family group:
"While 273 is regularly seen around the mouth of Brooks River, rangers have rarely had to take action to keep her away from buildings over past few days. Assertive body language and noise have been the only hazing techniques required when she has approached buildings. Of course, staff and visitors need to remain vigilant and exercise caution in bear country, but if we remove temptation from bears, then they are much less likely to cause property damage and park staff are less likely to have to resort to hazing the animals. Prevention is our best and most preferred tool to reduce bear-human conflicts."
273 fishes in Naknek Lake while her spring cub plays with a fish on the spit video by Juanita Roper (aka BirdyGirly):
2015.08.18:
Ranger Mike's update on the 273 family group:
"Yesterday, (August 17, 2015) 273 investigated the bridge, two buildings, and new wells drilled to monitor an old diesel fuel spill. The park’s bear technicians have expanded their work hours to keep tabs on her when she is around camp."
DTB's video of 273's spring cub playing and practicing his "when I'm a big bear" moves. (Is HE peeing at 4:26 into this video?):
Juanita Roper (aka BirdyGirly)'s video of 273 and her spring cub playing on the spit:
At approximately 12:51 273 and her spring cub walk right past the floating bridge video by Juanita Roper (aka BirdyGirly):
2015.08.19: 273's spring cub plays with a stick on the spit while 273 fishes in Naknek Lake, the 273 and her spring cub have some play time video by Lolaboo two2:
273 and her spring cub bring some of the KNP&P bear management staff through during the August 19, 2015 archaeological live chat with Ranger Mike, Linda Chism, Tommy Urban & Rob.:
2015.08.20:
273 and spring cub ~ is the spring cub attempting to catch insects / bugs? video by Juanita Roper (aka BirdyGirly):
273 and spring cub playing near lower river platform. Some of the views provided in this video by Martina suggest that the spring cub is a male:
2015.08.21:
273 diving for fish in the lower Brooks River just off the corner video by JoeBear:
273 family group gifs by Juergen: Gif #1 , Gif #2 , Gif #3 , & Gif #4
2015.08.22: 273 and her spring cub on the spit at sunrise video by Victoria White:
2015.08.23: 273 with her spring cub and 151 Walker video by Victoria White:
September 2015:[]
Cam viewer, Martina shared this gif of 809 from September 2015. Martina shared this September 2015 snapshot of 809.
2015.09.??: 273 and her spring cub in camp being chased away by a Ranger and causing a commotion during dinner video by Stephen B.
2015.09.12: 273 with her spring cub photo by Mike Fitz.
2015.09.13: 273 napping with her spring cub photo by Mike Fitz.
2015.09.15: 273's spring cub eating fish on floating bridge deck and then joins 273 in the river video by Juanita Roper (aka BirdyGirly):
2015.09.18: 273 family group near floating bridge in the early morning video by Martina:
2015.09.20: 273's spring cub scratching on wader sign video by IslandDunesGirl:
273's spring cub video by JoeBear: (longer version than the one above by IslandDunesGirl)
2015.09.22:
273, her spring cub, and the live fish video by Martina:
273 family group video by Juanita Roper (aka BirdyGirly):
16:50: 273 family group video by MsDebbiB:
273 and spring cub photo by Mike Fitz.
2015.09.23: Joe Bear's video taken during a live chat. 273 eats the sign....and Mike Fitz tries not to chuckle too much as he explains her curiosity for human objects. 273's spring cub (809) chases magpies..
2015.09.24:
273 and spring cub playfight video by Mike Fitz:
273 and spring cub video by Martina:
2015.09.27: 273 and her spring cub eating fish in the lower Brooks River video by Martina:
2015.09.28:
273's spring cub's race against the machine video by DTB:
Juanita Roper (aka BirdyGirly)'s video (longer version than DTB's above video):
2015.09.30: 273 and spring cub video by JBirdyHome:
October 2015:[]
2015.10.14: 273 and her spring cub walk across the floating bridge video by Mickey Williams:
Video by Martina:
2015.10.17: 273 and her spring cub meet 435 Holly and her adopted 2.5 year-old cub (503 Cubadult) and her biological yearling (719) in this video by JoeBear:
435 Holly, with her biological female yearling (now 719), and her adopted 2.5 year-old male cub; and 273 with her spring cub (now 809 ) video by Mickey Williams:
2015 & 2016:[]
2015 & 2016 Seasons:[]
Park visitor, Kenneth Kearney captured photos of 273 and her 2015 spring cub / 2016 yearling during his trips to Brooks Camp in both seasons. Kenneth created this album with photos from both trips. Kenneth shared this information about the album:
"This album shows the bear known as 273 and her cub "Velcro" from my trips to Brooks Falls in 2015 and 2016. These photos show how quickly cubs grow and a few of the dangers they face to get there. The many bears who return annually to the Brooks River have allowed scientists and bear watchers to view bears from cubhood to adulthood."
2015 vs 2016 Seasons:[]
2015.09.22 vs 2016.07.06: On September 22, 2015 273 knocked down the wader sign. One July 6, 2016, yearling 809 knocked down the same wader sign. Explore captures both of those wader sign events in this highlight video .:
2016: Yearling with 273[]
273 and her spring cub (809) were not only included in the adult females section of the 2016 Bears of Brooks River book on page 41, but they also graced the cover:
2016 Season:[]
273 and her yearling, 809, playing with construction materials video by Mike Fitz:
273 nurses her yearling (809) video by KNP&P:
Alaska's Gold Creek Lodge's photo of 273 and yearling 809.
June 2016:[]
2016.06.28: 273 with her yearling cub (809) snapshot shared by Scooch :
July 2016:[]
Cam viewer and park visitor, ScottHM captured these photos of 273 and her yearling (809) during his trip to Brooks Camp.: Photo #1 & #2 . ScottHM also captured this photo of 273 standing . ScottHM later shared this photo of 273 and yearling, 809 .
2016.07.05: 273 and yearling (809) at the below the falls platform snapshots (#1 & #2) by Bookmom . Bookmom recalls that :when 273 was wet from trying to catch a fish she looked so small at first people thought both bears were young subs. Both were so hungry".:
2016.07.03 & 2016.07.04: Bookmom shared these July 3, 2016 and July 4, 2016 snapshots (#1 & #2 ) of 273 with yearling (809) near the floating bridge.:
2016.07.06 or PRIOR: 273 and yearling (809) highlight video by Explore.:
2016.07.09 or PRIOR: Park visitor Glenn LeMay captured this video of 273 and her male cub and provided this description of their observations.: "The best attraction at Brooks Camp is the viewing of the bears at Brooks Falls, which is a 1.2 mile hike from Brooks Camp through bear country, including crossing over a floating bridge at the Brooks River. When the bears show up near the bridge, a "bear jam" is created, halting all foot traffic across the bridge (coming and going), sometimes for hours. That's when the "bear techs" are called in (park rangers specially trained to haze bears) to try to clear the area so the camp residents can get to/from camp. After the bear tech hazed this female and cub away from the bridge (about 50 yards away), foot traffic was allowed to resume across the bridge, after only a 20 minute delay. Shortly thereafter, however, the bears returned to the area and refused to leave, leaving dozens of camp residents stranded on either side of the bridge for almost three hours that afternoon."
2016.07.12: 273 with her yearling 809 fishing the riffles photo by Anna-Marie_AZ:
Please request Anna-Marie's permission prior to using her photograph!
2016.07.15: 273 and her yearling (809) at the falls in the early morning video by Erum Chad (aka Erie):
Cam viewer KCanada shared this snapshot of 273 with her yearling 809.:
2016.07.19: 273 with her yearling 809 photo by Anna-Marie_AZ:
Please request Anna-Marie's permission prior to using her photograph!
Brooks Camp visitor delphinusorca also captured a photo of 273 and her yearling cub standing by the island at Brooks Falls on 7/19/2016. That yearling is now believed to be 809.
EricsXtremeVideo captured 273 and her yearling (809) on the beach, 7/19/2016. They can be seen at 5:42 as Ranger Kristen moves visitors away from them.[]
August 2016:[]
2016.08.02: 273 and spring cub 809, 8/2/2016 photo by Matthias Serfling.
September 2016:[]
2016.09.12: 273 and yearling 809 in the lower river video by Erum Chad (aka Erie).:
2016.09.16: Standoff between 273 and yearling and 402 and her two yearlings video by Melissa Freels:
2016.09.28: 273 and yearling damage the lower river wildlife viewing platform and have a play session videoby Donna T. Bennett (aka DTB):
2016.09.29: 273 and yearling meet 132 and her 3 yearlings video by Erum Chad:
As the sun went down and the live cam switched over from color to black and white, Susan Tunstall captured this video of 273 nursing yearling, 809:
October 2016:[]
2016.10.03: Kerstin59 shared these snapshots (#1 & #2 ) of 273 with her yearling (809).:
2016.10.05:
273 and yearling meet 854 Divot and 3 spring cubs video by Erum Chad (aka Erie):
2016.10.06:
273 and her yearling and the lower river platform video by Melissa Freels:
273 family group chewing on the lower river platform video by Erum Chad (aka Erie):
2016.10.07: 273 with yearling (809) snapshots (#1 & #2 ) by Bookmom .:
2016.10.08:
273 and her yearling taking over the lower river platform video by Melissa Freels:
Ratna Narayan's video :
273 and yearling (809) playing video by LuvBears.:
273 and yearling adventure diary video by Erum Chad (aka Erie).:
2016.10.13 - 2016.10.29: Bookmom shared these snapshots (#1 , #2 , #3 , #4 , #5 & #6 ) captured between October 13, 2016 and October 29, 2016:
November 2016:[]
2016.11.03: This is the last day 273 and her yearilng (809) were observed together on the live cams. 273 and yearling (809) in the lower river video by Erum Chad (aka Erie).:
Bookmom shared these snapshots (#1 & #2 ). They were seen heading up from the LR and then appeared in the river beyond the riffles on the Falls cam. Then they went up the cut bank and across in front of the ranger's observation chair , Velcro following 273 and out of sight.:
LuvBears captured this video of the family group that fall day:
2016.11.25: A Mike Fitz blog from 2016, titled Bears Have Long Memories , where he discusses learned behaviors as it relates to the escapades of 273 and her 2015 offspring, 809.
2017: Newly Emancipated 2.5 Year-Old Subadult[]
On July 22, 2018 Ranger Jeanne shared these 2017 NPS photos of 809:
Erie commented on July 22, 2018 at 11:59 and Ranger Jeanne replied on July 22, 2018 at 12:51 that the 2nd set of 2017 NPS photos above (on the right) could possibly be 810 as opposed to 809 and that the 2nd set of 2017 NPS photos on 810's page could possibly be 809 as opposed to 810 .:
2017 Season:[]
Deanna Dittloff (aka deelynnd)'s video of a 2017 subadult...is it 809 or 810 (btb 94's male 2015 offspring)?
July 2017:[]
2017.07.07: KCanada captured this snapshot that she believed to possibly be 809 "from a quick solo trip to the Falls later that evening. The bear came down from the far side, and didn't stay long.":
2017.07.11: 809(?) video by Erum Chad (aka Erie):
2017.07.12: 809(?) video by Erum Chad (aka Erie):
2017.07.13: 809(?) video by Erum Chad (aka Erie).:
2017.07.18: Katmai Terrance blog: Subadult Summer by Ranger David Kopshever where Ranger Dave says "273 returned to camp without her cub, indicating that he may have been emancipated as well."
2017.07.21: On 4/5/2020 Shel shared 6 snapshots and a Brenda D video that were all taken on 7/21/2017 of a subadult who resembled 809. Shel posted 6 snapshots from the video (#1, #2, #3, #4, #5 and #6 ) and commented "Near 17:00 of the below video, Ranger Dave talks about a subadult seen in the video that might be 809 (speculated to be the male offspring of 273, believed to have been emancipated in 2017 when roughly 2.5 years old)." In further discussion between Shel and Mazey it was noted that the subadult greatly resembled the 2017 NPS photos of 809. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
2017.07.24: 809 (?) video by Cheryl B:
809 (?) eating a fish and running from another bear video by Cheryl B:
August 2017:[]
2017.08.03: 809 (?) video by Erum Chad (aka Erie):
2017.08.08: 809 (?) playfighting with 610 (?) [http:// https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9kr3Md-6Ko video] by Erum Chad (aka Erie):
2017.08.09: 809 (?) video by Cheryl B:
September 2017:[]
Park visitor and cam viewer, Lee (aka RiverPA) captured this photo of a subadult that was believed to be 809 (?). Lee shared this information about the photo:
"On our first day at Brooks Camp, Melissa and I were with a group of visitors in a "bear jam" at the corner. Abruptly, we were told by Ranger Andrew to move off the trail because a bear was approaching. I snapped this shot through the trees when the bear stopped to look out over the lower river. He was about 15-20 feet away. He dipped his head and looked back at us for a moment and then returned to looking at the river. He was curious and keeping an eye on us for a moment but seemed unconcerned. Then after a couple of minutes, he sauntered off. After he left, I got so excited and said "I just saw my favorite bear, Velcro!" and everyone had a good laugh over my outburst!"
Please request Lee (aka RiverPA)'s permission prior to using their photo!
2017.09.02: 809 (?) video by Ruxandra Nicolae:
809 (?) video by Ruxandra Nicolae (aka Rux ):
Susan Tunstall captured this video of 809 (?):
Xander-Sage-2 created this gif of 809(?):
St Mango captured this video of 809 (?):
809 (?) and another subadult video by Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA):
2017.09.07: 809 and the log video by Birgitt:
2018: 3.5 Year-Old Subadult[]
2018 Season:[]
Deelynnd shared these snapshots (#1 , #2 & #3 ) that may possibly be 809 during the 2018 season.:
July 2018:[]
2018.07.05: 809(?) and another subadult video by Erum Chad (aka Erie). (Note: Published at is July 5, 2018):
2019: 4.5 Year-Old Subadult[]
809 was not believed to have been seen in 2019.
2020:[]
809 was last officially identified in 2017. All three of the below videos are speculation only.
July 2020:[]
2020.07.16: Could this bear seen in the riffles on 7/16/2020 be 809? Video by Erum Chad.
2020.07.20: A subadult was seen in the riffles on 7/20/2020, video by mckate. Could this be 809?
2020.07.25: The unknown subadult seen on 7/16/2020 and 7/20/2020 was observed again on 7/25/2020 video by mckate.
2021: 5.5.Year-Old Adult[]
Known Courting & Mating:[]
None known as of 2018 season.
Known Relatives:[]
Mother: 273, Speculated
There is speculation in the 2017 bear monitoring notes that 809 is the 2015 male offspring of 273, however there is no way to really confirm link between subadults to their mothers and siblings without DNA results.
Father: Unknown
Siblings: 203 (F), 204 (F) and 205 (M) from 273's 2019 litter of 3 cubs
Genetic Study Samplings Obtained:[]
2016: No Known Sample Obtained by Ranger Michael Saxton[]
There were no known genetics study samplings obtained from 809 by Ranger Michael Saxton in 2016.
2017: No Known Sample Obtained by Ranger Michael Saxton[]
There were no known genetics study samplings obtained from 809 by Ranger Michael Saxton in 2017.