503 FINALLY CAME H♥ME!!!!
503 September 2021 NPS photo
Adult Male ~ 2017 and after
Independent Subadult Male in July 2014, then Adopted thus Returning to Dependent Yearling in July 2014 and 2015, then again Returning to Independent Subadult Again in 2016
Year First Identified: 2014 as a 1.5 year-old subadult (402's abandoned yearling)
Year Last Observed: 2023 (09/19/2023)
Known Offspring Of: 402 (2013 litter) Abandoned in July 2014 / Adopted by 435 Holly in July 2014
Genetics Study Samples Obtained: 503 was successfully darted by Ranger Michael Saxton in 2016 (prior to October 18, 2016)
Identification:[]
503 continues to be quite large for his age and his tall lanky legs remain a helpful identifying feature. He has prominent crescent shaped ears and dark eye rings.
Mckate's 503 Cubadult Playlist
503's Identification Information from his Subadult Years (prior seasons):
503 Cubadult is a medium-small subadult bear, but is quite large for his age and has tall, lanky legs. In July his fur is light to medium-brown. He has dark eye rings and a dark face. His neck and head are last to shed. In the fall, his fur darkens to a grizzled-brown, and is slightly lighter on his head and neck. He has a protruding lower lip, tall brown ears, and dark claws.
Meet Bear 503 Cubadult Explore video by Mike Fitz
Meet Bear 503 - Bears of Brooks Falls
Explore video by Mike Fitz
Distinctive Behaviors:[]
In 2016 and 2017, throughout the summer, 503 Cubadult was seen fishing and scavenging in all areas of the river. He even succeeded in fishing the "jacuzzi", and the lip of the falls. 503 appeared willing to fish near other bears and anglers. 503 often plays with other subadults and young adult bears, including 151 Walker, 289, 602, and adopted sibling 719.
Life History:[]
503 Cubadult has a unique life history. As a cub, 503 originally belonged to 402, but after an unusually timed series of events, he was abandoned by his biological mother in early July 2014. Most cubs are pushed away by their mothers in the spring after two to three (rarely four) summers. As a lone and small yearling, he faced many threats to his survival, not the least of which was other bears. Since he was then independent and observed during several bear monitoring sessions, he was assigned #503.
By the end of July, he was adopted by 435 Holly , a female with a single spring cub (now known as #719). 435 Holly treated her adopted yearling just like her biological female spring cub. She allowed him to nurse, take fish from her, and play with the spring cub. We will never know 435 Holly's reasons for adopting the yearling with any certainty, but bears, even young bears, are adaptable and smart. They possess the ability to recognize favorable situations and take advantage of them. In 503's case, the reward (protection, food) was worth taking the risk (intolerant bear, injury, death) of approaching a strange bear. If he had approached an intolerant female too closely, he could have been injured or killed. Instead, his strategy helped to ensure his survival into subadulthood.
435 Holly continued to raise 503 Cubadult through 2015 and emancipated him along with her biological cub (719) in spring of 2016.
503 Cubadult overcame significant challenges as a cub with resilience and adaptability. In 2016 and 2017 he faced another difficult time in the life of a brown bear: subadulthood. His survival and success depended on the lessons he had learned and tested his abilities in new, challenging ways.
Cam viewer, Deanna Dittloff (aka deelynnd) created this video: The Story of Bear 503 Cubadult .:
Please note: 503 Cubadult's biological mother, 402 has never officially been nicknamed "Brooke". 402 has been given many cam viewer given nicknames over the years, "Brooke" is just one of the many. Other's include "Beauty" and "Heart Attack"
2013:[]
503 Cubadult was one of three spring cubs born to 402, her 5th known litter. More photos and videos of 503 as a spring cub in 2013 will be available on 402's wiki page when it is created.
2013 Season:[]
402 and her three spring cubs (503 Cubadult is believed to be one of them) can be seen in this video by Kara Stenberg. 409 Beadnose and her 3 yearlings (500 Indy and 717 are believed to be two of them) are the 1st sow and cubs seen in the video. Footage of 402 and her 3 spring cubs (503 Cubadult) begins at 1:39 and continues at 2:18. 89 Backpack and 32 Chunk can be seen beginning at 3:08.
Park visitor Justin Gibson captured this video of 402 and her two spring cubs playing.:
Theresa Bielawski shared photos of 402 and her 3 spring cubs on 1/10/2021. One of these cubs is 503. Theresa commented "Here is 503 his first year in 2013 - not sure which one is him. One pic looks like a 4th cub, but just mom's back leg." Photo #1 is 402 with her 3 spring cubs, photos #2 and #3 are the 3 spring cubs, photo #4 is one spring cub.
Please request Theresa Bielawski's permission prior to using her photographs!
July 2013:[]
2013.07.10: SandyK29 captured this photo of 402 and her 3 spring cubs at Brooks Camp. SandyK29 also captured this photo of 402's three spring cubs. 503 is one of the three spring cubs.
2013.07.16 Approximately 18:40:
At approximately 8:00 into this video by MsDebbiB two of 402's three spring cubs wash over the falls. Female ear 813 Nostril Bear is the bear that approaches the cubs and 402 reacts to.
Park visitor Gusty Stambaugh's video of 402 and her 3 spring cubs captures parts of what the BF live cam misses in MsDebbiB's video above:
Explore also provided this highlight video on the event that includes slow motion of some segments:
2 of 402's 3 spring cubs wash over the falls 07 16 2013 highlights video with some slow motion by Explore
On 07/17/2013 at 09:10 Ranger Mike comments about 402's cubs washing over the falls on 07/16/2013:
"I just got a chance to watch the video of 402’s cubs getting swept over the falls. These cams really give great insight into the dramas of nature.
402 will regularly fish the lip of the falls, even when she is caring for cubs. She is unconsciously weighing the risks of fishing at Brooks Falls versus the reward of food. There may be many other places along Brooks River to fish, but at this time of year none are typically as rewarding as Brooks Falls.
As many of you know, cubs do face many risks in their young lives. In the video, the cubs are swept over the falls as they attempt to follow their mother into the river. Spring cubs (also called cubs of the year) cannot swim nearly as well as an adult bear. The current was too strong for them and they were swept over.
One bear standing below the falls noticeably reacts to the cubs in the water. Just before the cubs were swept over, the bear was facing away from them. It appears that the other bear reacted to the objects washing over the falls. Bears are adapted to take advantage of situations where food is provided to them. If, for example, a beaver had washed over the falls then the bear might also have attacked it.
All of the bears at the falls were once small cubs like 402’s current litter and they all faced the same risks. 402’s protectiveness may have saved one or more of her offspring last night. When you are watching nature’s drama unfold at the falls, be prepared to witness some harsh realities."
On 07/24/2013 Ranger Mike shared this information:
"402 will regularly fish the lip of the falls, even when she is caring for cubs. She is unconsciously weighing the risks of fishing at Brooks Falls versus the reward of food. There may be many other places along Brooks River to fish, but at this time of year none are typically as rewarding as Brooks Falls.
As many of you know, cubs do face many risks in their young lives. In the video, the cubs are swept over the falls as they attempt to follow their mother into the river. Spring cubs (also called cubs of the year) cannot swim nearly as well as an adult bear. The current was too strong for them and they were swept over.
Interestingly, the bear that appears to go towards the cubs after they get caught in the current is a female, although this can’t be determined from watching the video. I’ve seen this bear several other times at Brooks Falls.
Male bears will kill cubs, but females will as well. The female bear standing below the falls noticeably reacts to the cubs in the water. Just before the cubs were swept over, this bear was facing away from them. It appears that the other bear reacted to the objects washing over the falls. Bears are adapted to take advantage of situations where food is provided to them, and they are conditioned to attack nearly everything that is in the water at the falls. Almost always this means salmon. However, if, for example, a beaver had washed over the falls then the bear might also have attacked it.
All of the bears at the falls were once small cubs like 402’s current litter and they all faced the same risks. 402’s protectiveness may have saved one or more of her offspring. When you are watching nature’s drama unfold at the falls, be prepared to witness some harsh realities."
Add here
2013.07.20: 402 with her 3 spring cubs (503 Cubadult is one of them) video by MsDebbiB.:
2013.07.21: 402's 3 spring cubs, 7/21/2013 photo by mjtseng. 503 is one of these cubs.
2013.07.22: Bernard Palate's 7/22/2013 photo of 402's 3 spring cubs. 503 is one of these cubs.
2013.07.23: 402 with 3 spring cubs (503 is one of the three spring cubs) video by Live Video and Web Cams of the World:
402 and her 3 spring cubs (503 is one of them) 07 23 2013 video by Live Video and Web Cams of the World
2013.07.24: 402 with 3 spring cubs (503 is one of the three cubs) video by 60windy.
September 2013:[]
2013.09.13: Ranger Jeanne captured these photos of 402 with her 3 spring cubs; #1 , #2 , & #3 . 2013.09.25: 402 lost one of these spring cubs in September 2013 when the cub was fatally injured up near Lake Brooks. Rangers Roy Wood and Mike Fitz discuss the cub's death in this Explore video published on 9/25/2013 (7:38-13:46). Ranger Wood states "the injuries were consistent with an adult bear biting it at least one time and probably shaking it."
October 2013:[]
2013.10.11: 402 with her two remaining spring cubs at approximately 15:15 AKDT video by Linda Jett.:
2013.10.22: KNP&P Ranger Mike Fitz traveled to Brooks Camp to do lower river live cam repairs. On his adventure, he observed 402 and her two remaining spring cubs and shared these photos:
2014:[]
503 was a yearling in 2014, the only remaining offspring from 402's 2013 litter of 3 spring cubs. More photos and information about 503 as a dependent yearling, prior to being emancipated by 402 are available on 402's wiki page.
2014 Season:[]
2014.??.??: Explore's video "503 Finds a New Family | Memorable Moments in Bearcam History" published on August 22, 2022. Mike Fitz narrates the story of yearling 503 Cubadult finding his new family, 435 Holly and her spring cub 719.
June 2014:[]
2014.06.22:
402 returned to Brooks Camp with 503, her one remaining yearling from her 2013 litter of three spring cubs. The family group was captured in this video by Various Videos1 (aka LucyB-MA):
Cam viewers captured these snapshots of the family group.
NEED TO ADD CAM VIEWER PHOTOS HERE
2014.06.27 - 2014.06.29: Ranger Jeanne observed 402 with her remaining male yearling at Brooks Camp. Ranger Jeanne has the following photos of 503 when he was 402's dependent yearling on her flicker: 402's yearling 06/29/2014 & 402's yearling 06/29/2014 ,
July 2014:[]
The following July 2014 NPS photos are available of 503 Cubadult from the Bears of Brooks River books:
2014.07.??: 402 and her remaining yearling (now known as 503 Cubadult), still bonded as a family group, can be seen in this video by 117jmg from the 3:27 - 3:45 and 4:31 - 4:50 marks:
2014.07.??: 503 was photographed shaking off water by Alexey Tishchenko in July 2014. Alexey's photos can be seen in:
Wild Thing! The grizzly bear that likes to boogie by Benjamin Russell
and
FUR-iller: boogying bear practices iconic dance routine by Caters News Agency
2014.07.??: Jimmie Robinson captured video of 402 and her remaining yearling (now known as 503 Cubadult) fishing the lip at Brooks Falls. In the beginning of the footage (6:33-9:34) , the yearling can be seen clinging to the wall as he is struggling not to wash over the falls.
2014.07.?? In a July photo by Laura Lyn Photography 402 is seen with her yearling on top of the fish ladder by Brooks Falls.
2014.07.??: 402 and her yearling were photographed on the beach by photographer Vanshion. The exact dates are not known, photo #1, photo #2 and photo #3.
2014.07.?? Joan Wallner captured 2 photos of 402 when she still had 503 with her, #1 and #2.
Joan Wallner also recorded a July, 2014 video of 402 with 503.
Joan Wallner's July, 2014 photo of 503 treed. It is unclear which separation this was. Joan Wallner's comment "This yearling cub became separated from his mom, so climbed a tree for safety in the middle of Brooks Camp at Katmai National Park. This is the cub that was adopted by the famous grizzly mom, Holly, in 2014."
2014.07.01: July 1, 2014 was a stressful day for a lone yearling cub (now 503), 402 his biological mother, and NPS rangers at Brooks Camp. Around 10:00 AM 402 and her yearling cub were fishing at the mouth of the Brooks River.
The yearling swam across the river as 402 fished downstream. 402 lost track of the yearling and did not know where he was. The yearling didn't seem to know where 402 was either. 402 began searching for the yearling on the opposite side of the river. Shortly after the family was separated, 402 disappeared into the forest at the mouth of the Brooks River.
By this time, the yearling walked and ran to Brooks Lodge where he climbed a tree just outside of the lodge. With a few hundred people moving by Brooks Lodge, the yearling was not coming down quickly. Having a lone cub treed in camp with no mother to be found was unprecedented. The rangers initially hoped that 402 would catch the cub's scent and track it into camp. Mother bears will call their cubs down out of trees with a huff. This time, 402 was missing in action.
The cub was very high in the tree. Rangers knew he was stressed, but had no way to get him out of the tree. The yearling had to come down on its own. At approximately 17:30, the yearling decided to climb down the tree. Rangers instructed park visitors, NPS and lodge staff to enter buildings, stay out of the cub's line of sight, and give it space to go on it's way. Any noise could startle the cub and cause him to climb up the tree again. As the yearling reached the base of the tree a plane started its engine and spooked the cub, sending it back up the tree.
Just before 18:00 the yearling climbed back down the tree and left the lodge area on it's own. 402 was still nowhere to be found. The cub walked along the beach of Naknek Lake away from the lodge and toward the campground. Possibly uncomfortable without its mother, he soon returned to the lodge area and climbed a tree.
Finally shortly before 19:55, the cub came out of the tree. 402's whereabouts were still unknown. Several NPS rangers worked hard to keep people inside buildings. With no planes on the beach of Naknek Lake, the yearling had free reign. The yearling, still alone, wanted its mother. He tried to return to the lodge, but eventually left that area and at approximately 19:58 walked back toward the river approaching the corner where live cam viewers could see him from the lower river cam thanks to Ranger Roy Wood, Chief of Interpretation and Education at KNP&P who immediately jumped on the lower river cam controls while monitoring radio traffic. Not knowing how the yearlings return to the river would play out, Ranger Roy also joined viewers in the comments.
The lone yearling approached the bank of the Brooks River just off the corner and began to bawl. Cubs bawl when they are hungry or otherwise trying to get mother's attention. The yearling's bawling clearly got the attention of one bear that swan across the river towards it. To the amazement of many viewing this, the bear that was approaching the cub was 402, his biological mother. 402 must have been near the mouth of the river and heard the yearling bawling. Miraculously, 402 and her yearling were reunited later that evening at approximately 20:08 after the yearling spent nearly 10 hours treed near Brooks Lodge. The family was last seen moving upriver into the forest.
Bearcam viewers captured these snapshots of the yearling approaching the corner where he bawled for his mother and was eventually reunited with her approximately 7 minutes later.
Explore created this highlight video of 402 and her yearling being reunited. 402's yearling appears near the corner at approximately 19:58 and begins bawling for his mother. 402 and her yearling are reunited at approximately 20:08.
Explore also created this video that is similar to the version above...except this version also includes snips of Ranger Roy's and cam viewer's comments as they were watching this amazing event unfold. I doubt you will be sorry if you invest the time to watch both.:
402 and remaining male yearling reunited 07 01 2014 video by Explore (includes snips of Ranger Roy's & bearcam viewer's comments)
Ranger Roy lets cam viewers know that KNP&P interpretation staff will sort through the events of the day and get back with cam viewers:
2014.07.02: The challenges NPS staff and park visitors faced on 07/01/2014 when 402's yearling treed himself for nearly ten hours less than 50 yards from the back door of the lodge kitchen and dining hall in close proximity to many Brooks Lodge buildings prompted Ranger Mike Fitz to share this KNP&P Terrane blog: The Challenges of Managing Bears and People at Brooks Camp .
2014.07.04: Ranger Jeanne's photo of 402 with yearling .
2014.07.08: Explore ustream highlight video of 402 and yearling 503 together at the falls on 07/08/2014: Click here to view highlight video on ustream (Note: Since this is ustream video, it may become no longer available. We are trying to see if Explore can make it available on YouTube)
Stmango's video of the same footage of 402 and 503 together at the falls on 07/08/2014:
Cam viewer Janie Nook captured this video of 402's male yearling as he learns from 402 while she fishes the lip of the falls:
402's remaining male yearling (now 503) as he learns from 402 while she fishes the lip 07 08 2014 by Janie Nook-0
Bud Marschner captured these photos (#1 & #2 ) of 402 and her remaining yearling (503) on July 8, 2014. Bud Marschner describes the first as a family portrait, of course not realizing they would be some of the last portraits of the family group. Bud also captured this photo of 435 Holly and her spring cub (719) the day before the photos of 402 and yearling 503.
Between 2014.07.01 and 2014.07.09: Theresa Bielawski photographed 402 with her yearling cub 503 during her July 2014 trip to Brooks Camp, photos #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5. Theresa shared these photos on 1/10/2021. Theresa explained that the photos were taken after the first separation of 503 from 402, so these photos were taken between 7/1/2014 and 7/9/2014. "Here is 503 in 2014. Mom had left him in camp a few days, reunited with him, then abandoned him for good. These were taken the week 402 was reunited with him before she abandoned him for good."
Please request Theresa Bielawski's permission prior to using her photographs!
2014.07.09:
On the night of 07/09/2014, 402's remaining male yearling (503) was observed in a spruce tree approximately 100 meters behind the Brooks Falls wildlife viewing platform. (see Ranger Mike's 07/11/2014 12:28 comments snips below)
It is possible that this video captured by park visitors, laddnshirl is footage from the last time that 856 separated 402 from her 1.5 year-old yearling (now known as 503).
2014.07.10: On the morning of 07/10/2014, 402's remaining male yearling (503) was observed in the same tree approximately 100 meters behind the Brooks Falls wildlife viewing platform that he was observed in on the night of 07/09/2014. The yearling was still in the tree at 21:00 on 07/10/2014 (see Ranger Mike's 07/11/2014 12:28 comments snips below). When Ranger Mike walked by the area of the tree around 22:00 on 07/10/2014, he did hear the cub bawling a little.
2014.07.11:
On the morning of 07/11/2014, 402's remaining male yearling (503) was no longer in the tree 100 meters behind the Brooks Falls wildlife viewing platform. 856 is still following 402 and the whereabouts of 402's remaining male yearling is not known.
Ranger Mike Fitz comments on 07/11/2014 at 12:28 about what has been observed of 402, her remaining male yearling (503), and 856 from 07/09/2014 - 07/11/2014:
Ranger Mike also shared this 07/11/2014 KNP&P blog: Surprises of the Bear World .
2014.07.13: Ranger Jeanne comments that she has no new information on 402's remaining yearling (503), but she has observed 402 twice this morning being pursued by 856. Ranger Jeanne said that 402 is ranging about half mile down river from the falls since she observed 856 pursuing 402 in the oxbow area. When asked if in her experience she would say that 402's remaining yearling was on his own to survive, Ranger Jeanne replied that she has never seen a sow without one of her cubs for such a long period of time and then experienced them reuniting. Ranger Jeanne said she has also never observed a male bear pursue a female in the way that resembles courting while she still had a dependent cub. She said she observed 402 quite a bit this weekend, but never with her cub. She said it does not necessarily mean that the cub is definitely on its own, but Ranger Jeanne did not personally see them together.:
2014.07.14: Ranger Mike updates the Surprises of the Bear World KNP&P blog from 07/11/2014.
"856 was still following 402 on Sunday (07/13/2014). Reports of 856 following a different female may have been erroneous.
I watched 402’s former yearling cub wander through Brooks Camp alone at 8 AM this morning. A ranger also reported seeing it alone on Saturday morning (07/12/2014). 402 appears to have abandoned this cub. Why? I don’t know. Bears might abandon their cubs if the cubs are too weak to keep up or if the mother can’t devote the energy needed to support the cubs. I also don’t know if this cub is truly abandoned. Although very rare, mother bears have been separated from their cubs for over 2 weeks before reuniting. We haven’t observed 402 abandon a cub before, but this behavior is not unprecedented amongst brown bears.
It’s also important to note that 856 showed no interest in the yearling during the past week. His actions indicate that he is interested in mating with 402. He was never seen chasing the yearling or even investigating the yearling when it was treed near Brooks Falls. His consistent pursuit of 402 certainly didn’t help the yearling, but he may not have been the reason for its abandonment. 402 may have gone into estrus and abandoned the yearling anyway.
Is 402 a “bad” mother for abandoning her yearling? It would seem so from a human perspective, but we cannot define or label bears with our system of cultural norms, ethics, and morals. Bears and wild animals exist in a world outside of these things. 402 doesn’t have the ability to control her estrus cycle, no more so than a woman can. If she went back into estrus (which appears likely now), then 856 or any other adult male would be looking to mate with her. She would be unable to care for a cub while being closely pursued by a dominant adult male.
402’s former yearling cub should now be called a subadult bear since it is now appears to be on its own. It faces an uphill battle to survive this summer."
Park visitor Rodney Preisch appears to have captured a photo of 402's yearling on the beach on 7/15/2014.
2014.07.16 Approximately 15:00: Ranger Sheri Anderson, KNP&P Wildlife Biologist observes 503 eating a fish on the trail to the campground that he caught himself and captured this photo:
You can see Ranger Roy show the photo from Ranger Sheri's phone at approximately 38:00 into this live chat video from 07/16/2014:
Approximately 38 00 into this Live Chat video you can see Ranger Roy show the photo of 503 with the fish he caught.
2014.07.17: 435 Holly and her spring cub (719) were observed on the lower river cam alone (503 was not with them at this time), gif by Juergen can be viewed here .
2014.07.18: 503, now an independent subadult bear, is treed near Brooks Lodge again. Ranger Mike goes live from near Brooks Lodge where 503 is treed. Video by Various Videos1 (aka LucyB-MA):
503 treed near Brooks Lodge ~ Ranger Mike goes live 07 18 2014 video by Various Videos1 (aka LucyB-MA)
Explore recorded a longer video of Of Mike Fitz's 7/18/2014 live chat. Comment by CalliopeJane (Tina Crowe) below the video at YouTube: "So nice that three days later he was with Holly at Margot Creek."
2014.07.20 (Sunday):
402 and 856 were observed mating per Ranger Mike's 07/22/2014 comment:
"Last night (07/21/2014) Ranger Jeanne hinted that I had some news to share. I’d like to watch the speculation run wild, but you don’t need to be on the edge any longer than necessary.
First of all, it is not about 489 Ted. We still haven’t seen him. The news that I have isn’t that earth shattering. In fact, for those of you following the bears closely over the past two weeks, it might be an expected event.
Last Sunday (07/20/2014), 856 and 402 mated near Brooks Falls. This confirms what many of us suspected – that 402 was in estrus. Like I’d written about previously, this is odd because she still had a yearling cub to attend to until it was left to fend for itself around July 9. Bears are full of surprises though.
I would be even more surprised if 402 reunites with her former cub, now a 1.5-year-old subadult bear, since she has mated. For now, I’m going to assume she’ll follow the “typical” pattern for a single adult female and go her own way. The 1.5-year-old will have to fend for itself (by the way, we haven’t seen that bear in a few days to the best of my knowledge)."
Let’s not forget about 856 and his need either. He followed 402 for about 11 days waiting for the opportunity to mate. As a very dominant bear, he can take advantage of these situations because no other bear has challenged him for females this summer. He’s much thinner, however, than other large males like 747 and 814 Lurch, so 856 was sacrificing weight for the opportunity to sire more offspring."
Park visitor, Tim Auer was in the perfect place at the perfect time (just like CalliopeJane always seems to be) and not only observed 402 and 856 mating, but he also captured some incredible photographs of the mating pair . After returning from his trip to Brooks Camp, Tim Auer posted in the bearcam comments to share the experience You can see more of Tim Auer's photos (here) , and read his blog about his observations of 402 and 856 mating on his blog at this link: After Hours: The Story of 856 and 402 by Tim Auer Katmai After Hours: The Story of 856 and 402 by Tim Auer . Tim's friend and fellow wildlife photographer, Meril, was also with him when 402 and 856 were observed mating. You can view Meril's photos here .
In a 7/20/2018 Explore blog titled "How does a bear family break up", Mike Fitz reflects back on the events surrounding 503 Cubadult's separation from 402. He writes "At the time, and until somewhat recently, I stated that 402 had “abandoned” her yearling (now known as 503). While this might be true in a sense, I no longer think that this is an accurate way of describing the event. After reading more about the emancipation process, I’ve come to believe 402 didn’t abandon her yearling in 2014. She emancipated him."
KNP&P visitor and bearcam viewer CalliopeJane (aka Tina Crowe) visited Margot Creek on 07/25/2014 on guided tour with Naknek River Camp and took photos of a sow with 2 cubs. The sow appears to be 435 Holly with 1 small, dark spring cub and 1 blond yearling. 435 Holly was seen earlier this summer on the Brooks River with 1 spring cub. The blond yearling may be bear 402's emancipated yearling, known informally as the "cubadult".
CalliopeJane reported observing the sow and cubs for an hour before they ran off into the woods. At this point it is not clear if 435 Holly is merely tolerating the presence of the yearling or if she has "adopted" it and will continue to allow it to stay with her and her spring cub. Tina captured these photos:
Please request Tina Crowe's permission prior to using her photos!
Photographer Dan Holmes appears to have been at Margot Creek at the same time as CalliopeJane (Tina Crowe). Mr. Holmes published a blog on 9/11/2014 in which he discusses his observations of 435 Holly's blended family and posted 11 photos of 435 Holly, her spring cub 719 and her adopted yearling 503. The blog title is "Holly and the Abandoned Cub-Katmai National Park and Preserve."
2014.07.27: Ranger Jeanne and Ranger Roy have a behind the scenes conversation about Tina Crowe's (aka CalliopeJane) photos of a sow with two cubs (one smaller spring cub and one larger yearling) Tina posted from her time at Margot Creek:
[7/27/14 10:08:54 PM] Jeanne: Are you still there? If so, look at my account and check out the pictures CalliopeJane posted from her trip to Margot. It looks like 435 Holly with a spring cub and a yearling.
[7/27/14 10:21:40 PM] Roy: Your Flickr account?
[7/27/14 10:23:59 PM] Jeanne: No, sorry, my Disqus account
[7/27/14 10:35:54 PM] Roy: Ummm. That looks like Holly, Gregory, and Cubadult
[7/27/14 10:35:59 PM] Jeanne: yup
[7/27/14 10:36:02 PM] Jeanne: that's what I was thinking
[7/27/14 10:36:11 PM] Jeanne: Now I am really wishing we had gone to Margot this weekend
[7/27/14 10:36:15 PM] Roy: Has Mike seen it?
[7/27/14 10:36:22 PM] Jeanne: Emailed them to Fitz but he won't see until the morning
[7/27/14 10:36:24 PM] Roy: We need some DNA, stat!
(Note: "Gregory" was a nickname Ranger Roy was using for 435 Holly's spring cub ~ before we knew 719 was a female ~ think type of Backpack , when Ranger Roy learned that 719 was a female....well, Kelty would work!)
2014.07.28 15:44: Ranger Roy's reply to CalliopeJane (aka Tina Crowe) in bearcam comments re: her photos of 435 Holly and 503 from Margot Creek and possible adoption:
"While we are cautious by nature, a few of us believe you may have captured a shot of Holly, her spring cub, and 402’s “cubadult”. Keep in mind, that adoptions are extremely rare, and this may simply be that Holly is tolerant, not fully accepting of the older cub. We intend to take a trip to Margot and investigate, and we reserve the right to completely change our minds later. Congrats on a really cool series of shots, CalliopeJane!"
August 2014:[]
Add here
September 2014:[]
The following September 2014 NPS photos are available of 503 Cubadult from the Bears of Brooks River books:
2014.09.05: 435 Holly returned to the mouth of Brooks River with her spring cub (719) and yearling, 503 Cubadult.
503 and 435 Holly nuzzle in this video by JoeBear. 435 Holly's spring cub approaches from the right.
Ranger Mike goes live from the beach of Naknek Lake to discuss 435 Holly returning with both her spring cub and yearling, 503 Cubadult. Cam viewer, Tronwolverine captured Ranger Mike's impromptu live chat on video :
435 Holly returns to Brooks River with her biological spring cub and yearling, 503 Cubadult Ranger Mike goes live from the beach of Naknek Lake 09 05 2014 video by Tronwolverine
15:52: Ranger Mike's 09/05/2014 15:52 comment re: 435 Holly's adoption of 503 Cubadult:
"If you're just tuning in, 435 Holly appears to have adopted 402's abandoned yearling. Holly is now caring for a spring cub (which is hers) and a yearling (which is 402's). Adoption has been documented in brown bears, but it is rare. I've never had the chance to observe it myself so this is a novel situation for me to see -- and a facinating one at that. I have not seen the yearling nurse, but I have seen it take fish from Holly and she didn't seem to care. I wonder what other stories will unfold this summer?
Enjoy the weekend. I'm off for the next couple of days, but I'll be back in chat soon."
Park visitor and cam viewer Tina Crowe (aka CalliopeJane) celebrates confirmation of the adoption in style:
Thank you Tina for sharing the first photos of this blended family group from your trip to Margot Creek in July 2014 with us!
BlueLily captured these snapshots (#1 , #2 & #3 ) of 435 Holly, her spring cub (719) and adopted yearling (503 Cubadult) on September 5, 2014:
2014.09.07: Ranger Jeanne's photo of 435 Holly with her spring cub (now 719) and 435 Holly's adopted yearling, 503 Cubadult.
2014.09.10: 503 was observed nursing from 435 Holly with 435's biological spring cub (719).
15:20: Ranger Mike's 09/10/2014 15:20 comment with photos of 435 Holly nursing both her biological spring cub and 503, her adopted yearling:
2014.09.11: KNP&P Terrane blog by Ranger Mike Fitz: Abandoned Cub Finds A New Mother
2014.09.16: 435 Holly's spring cub (now 719) and adopted yearling, 503 Cubadult share a fish in this video by JoeBear:
435 Holly's Adopted Yearling (503) and Spring Cub (719) Share a Fish September 16, 2014 video by JoeBear
2014.09.17 15:30: 1.5 year-old adopted yearling nurses from 435 Holly in this video by MsDebbiB:
435 Holly nursing her spring cub (719) and her adopted 1.5 year-old yearling 09 17 2014 15 30 by MsDebbiB
2014.09.18: 503's adoption by 435 Holly makes national news. Good Morning America / ABC News interviews Ranger Mike Fitz, Visual Information Specialist for KNP&P about the adoption. Watch the interview Maternal Brown Bear Adopts Abandoned Cub in Alaska Preserve.
2014.09.19-.09.25: Park visitor Laszlo Molnar posted this video which is believed to be from 9/19-9/25/2014 based on a 2nd video that had those dates. 435 Holly can be seen with her spring cub 719 and adopted yearling Cubadult 503 at 0:36, 23:26-24:20 and 38:14-41:38.
2014.09.23: National Public Radio interviews Ranger Roy Wood, Chief of Interpretation and Education at KNP&P about 435 Holly's adoption of 503, 402's abandoned yearling. You can listen to the radio interview and read about it In Alaska, An Uncommon Act of Maternal Love . (Click the white arrow inside the blue circle ~ play button ~ in the top left to hear the radio interview).
2014.09.25: Cam viewer Juergen created these gifs of 435 Holly and her cubs from today: #1, #2 & #3
2014.09.27: KNP&P video of 435 Holly's spring cub (now 719) playing with 435's adopted yearling (503). Out in the river and on the shore, these two cubs battle in an extended play fight:
435 Holly's spring cub (719) and adopted yearling (503) play fight, Sept. 27, 2014 video by KNP&P ~ video has sound
Joe Bear's 9/27/2014 video of 435 Holly's cubs at play.
Ranger Jeanne's September 27, 2014 photo of 435 Holly's adopted yearling (503 Cubadult) on left with 435's Holly's spring cub (719).
2014.09.28:
KNP&P video of 435 Holly nursing her spring cub (now 719) and her adopted yearling (503) on the spit: You can hear 435's spring cub bawling in this video.
435 Holly nurses her spring cub (now 719) & adopted yearling (now 503) 9-28-2014 video by KNP&P ~ You can hear 435's spring cub bawling
Ranger Jeanne's photos of 435 Holly nursing both her spring cub (719) and adopted yearling (503 Cubadult). Photo #1 and Photo #2 .
October 2014:[]
The following October 2014 NPS photos of 503 Cubadult are available from the Bears of Brooks River books:
2014.10.03: 503 with adoptive mother 435 Holly and her biological spring cub video by DTB:
2014.10.05:
435 Holly's adopted yearling (503 Cubadult) left and spring cub (719) right, NPS photo :
503 Cubadult chases 500 Indy on Spit Road. 435 Holly's biological spring cub and 435 Holly follow behind in this video by KNP&P: Ranger Mike was on the lower river platform when this interaction took place and shared the following thoughts with us on the bearcam comments the next day:
"I was on the platform and was lucky enough to witness the chase. From what I was able to observe, it appears that Hollly's adopted yearling decided to assert itself over 500. The yearling initiated the interaction several minutes prior when he approached 500. This was more likely a playful approach from the yearling, but 500 wanted no part of it, perhaps because the yearling was being trailed by Holly. When the interaction began, Holly was very close to the yearling. 500 didn't want to be close to the family. When she ran, the yearling pursued and that's what the cam caught. Holly was just trying to keep up with her cubs!
Subadult bears, like 500, hold the lowest position in the bear hierarchy. They are easily displaced by other bears, as this interaction demonstrates. If you are a cub, you often hold a higher position in the hierarchy than subadults because of your mother's close proximity.
Times have certainly changed for the adopted yearling. Shortly after it was abandoned in July, he ran from everything. Now, he looks confidenet, well fed, and able to test some boundaries. For bear 500, she's going through a stage that all bears must endure to reach adulthood. Holly's adopted yearling may be asserting itself now, but once it is driven away by Holly, it will experience everything that 500 is enduring now."
You can read more about the interaction in the 10/07/2014 KNP&P Terrane blog by Ranger Mike Fitz: Chasing Bigger Bears .
The title of this video by DTB says it all: For Whatever Reason... These 3 Bears are Family. Noteworthy is that 402, 503 Cubadult's biological mother, is the bear that can be seen diving in Naknek Lake in this video:
In the words of Ranger Mike Fitz, KNP&P Visual Information Specialist ...One nagging question keep revolving in many minds ~ why would 435 Holly adopt the yearling? Some biologists hypothesize that alturism evolved in some animals is a result of shared genes. If costs to your own fitness are not too great, it would make sense for you to care for your siblings and their offspring because you share genes with them, genes that will be passes on when they reporduce. *However as of the time of the adoption in 2014, 402 and 435 Holly are not known to be related. Bears also don't live in special groups like wolves or humans where social pressures often dictate behaviors. Let's not forget about Holly's spring cub either. It now faced extra competition from a bigger, stronger bear. Could the adoption of a yearling into the family have reduced the spring cub's chances of survival? Could that decrease Holly's genetic fitness? Will an extra warm body in the den benefit her and her genetic cub during hibernation?
- In 2016 both 402 and 435 Holly were successfully darted and 435 was successfully darted in 2017 for Ranger Michael Saxton's genetics study so we may find out if 402 and 435 are related.
2014.10.06: Yearling 503 Cubadult and spring cub 719 share a fish in this video by JoeBear:
2014.10.13: 435 Holly jumps to protect her cubs on the bank near the corner in this video by JoeBear:
2014.10.18: 435 Holly with her spring cub 719 and adopted yearling 503 are seen interacting with 132 and her 3 spring cubs (805, 806 and 807) in this 10/18/2014 video by yesitsdonna.
Fall 2014:[]
Yearling 503 Cubadult and spring cub (719) NPS photo by Ranger Mike Fitz during fall 2014 from the November 12, 2014 Bearcam Update .:
2015:[]
503 Cubadult was included in the 2015 Bears of Brooks River book on page 23 :
2015 Season:[]
435 Holly with her yearling (719) and her adopted 2.5 year-old cub (503 Cubadult) video by Mocha.:
June 2015:[]
2015.06.02 14:54: Ranger Mike comment:
"Rangers were surprised by the early season appearance of 435 Holly and her two cubs this afternoon. Both cubs looked larger (and leaner) than last fall. Like most bears at this time of the year, they are biding their time until the salmon return. They were seen milling about near the mouth of Brooks River for about 15 minutes before they disappeard down the beach. I've attached several photos of the family to this post...."
2015.06.03: KNP&P Terrane blog by Ranger Mike Fitz: 435 Holly Returns with Her Adopted Cub :
"Each spring, I have questions floating around in my head. As spring wanes and summer approaches I wonder, what stories will unfold along Brooks River this summer? Which bears will have cubs? Which bears will maintain dominance along the river? Which will survive and endure another year of hardships in the bear world? Which will become casualties?
One story from 2014 already added another chapter. Yesterday, 435 Holly and her two cubs made an early season appearance at the mouth of Brooks River. This family gained plenty of attention last summer when a then yearling cub was abandoned and subsequently adopted by 435 Holly .
I received many questions about this family. I was asked one question quite often—since the adopted cub is a year older than her biological cub, will she drive it away in the spring? Last summer, I was not able that question with 100% certainty. Adoption in bears has been documented before, but most of these records simply note that an adoption occurred. Researchers didn’t elaborate on the behavior of the adopted cub within the litter or with its new mother. It has never been observed along Brooks River.
Mother bears hibernate in the same den with their cubs, so we can assume that 435 did the same. In Katmai, bears keep their cubs for two to three summers, hibernate with them one more time, and then drive them away in the following spring. Presumably, 435 is treating the adopted cub (which is now two and half years old) like her biological cub. If 435 has not pushed both cubs away by June, she’s probably committed to keeping them until next spring. It seems that we will have more time to observe the story of this family unfold as spring and summer continue."
2015.06.14 - 2015.06.18: Brooks Lodge Facebook post with photo by Tisa Hunnewell of 435 Holly and both cubs taken this week (between 06/14/2015 - 06/18/2015)
2015.06.24: 435 Holly and both cubs run by the ranger's cabins: KNP&P gif & Brooks Camp tweet
2015.06.25: Brooks Camp tweet 435 Holly and both cubs are live on the lower river cam.
2015.06.27:
2015.06.28:
503 Cubadult playing with adopted sibling, 435 Holly's yearling video by Nancy Clark:
435 Holly and 503 Cubadult captured on underwater cam video by JoeBear:
July 2015:[]
The following July 2015 NPS photo of 503 Cubadult is available from the 2016 Bears of Brooks River book, however it appears the photo was actually taken on June 27, 2015 (see that date above and photo from 2015 Fat Bear Week contest);
2015.07.??: Brooks Camp visitor Theresa Bielawski captured photos of 435 Holly's yearling cub (now 719) and 503 Cubadult, her adopted 2.5 year old cub playing. Theresa shared these photos on 1/10/2021. Theresa commented "Here are 503 & 719 in late July 2015." Photos #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6 and #7.
Please request Theresa Bielawski's permission prior to using her photographs!
2015.07.04: 503 Cubadult with 435 Holly and her yearling video by Martina:
2015.07.12:
503 Cubadult ascends the fish ladder wall to the lip to beg fish from 128 Grazer(?) in this video by Martina. 435 Holly is the bear standing on her hind legs below the falls close to the beginning of the video:
2.5 year-old cub 503 begging fish from 128 Grazer with adoptive mom 435 Holly nearby 07 12 2015 video by Martina
503 with 435 Holly and adopted sibling, yearling 719 attempt to fish at Brooks Falls. First 289 prevents 435 from focusing on fishing then the approach of 747 to the jacuzzi displaces the 435 family group from 435's intended fishing spot below the falls. Video by Martina:
503 with 435 Holly and adoptive sibling, 719 attempt to fish at the falls 07 12 2015 video by Martina
2015.07.24:
435 Holly protects her two cubs from a 856, the most dominant boar, at Brooks Falls video by Martina:
Mike Fitz has a photo of this interaction on his flickr: 435 Holly stands up to 856 by Mike Fitz
and then she does it again...this time a different bear is the focus of her charge video by Martina:
435 Holly charges another bear at Brooks Falls in protection of her cubs 07 24 2015 video by Martina
2015.07.27: Anna-Marie_AZ 7/27/2015 photos of #1 503 and #2 left to right, 719 435 Holly and 503.
August 2015:[]
Add here
September 2015:[]
2015.09.07: Ranger Mike observed the 435 family group and captured this photo of 503 Cubadult .
2015.09.08 or Prior: Ranger Mike's 09/08/2015 comment with recent photos of 503 and 435 Holly:
2015.09.09: madmadmad photographed 435 Holly with her yearling and adopted 2.5 year old on 9/9/2015. The family can be seen in this album of 16 photos titled "Holly and Cubs."
2015.09.15: 8 year old 151 Walker can be seen playing on the lower river with 503, a 2.5 year old on 9/13/2015, video by Victoria White. Note: 503 was still an adopted dependent cub of 435 Holly. 435 Holly and her yearling, now known as 719, can be observed swimming over towards 151 and 503 at 2:08 and are very tolerant of the situation.
2015.09.17: Ranger Mike observed the 435 famiily group and captured these photos of 503 Cubadult with 435 Holly: photo 1 , photo 2 , & photo 3 .
2015.09.20: 8 year old 151 Walker plays with 2.5 year old 503 in this 9/20/2015 video by Victoria White. Note that 503 was still a dependent, adopted cub of 435 Holly at the time.
October 2015:[]
The following October 2015 NPS photo of 503 Cubadult is available from the 2016 Bears of Brooks River book:
2015.10.01:
2015.10.17: 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:
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:
2015.10.18: 503 Cubadult and 435 Holly's yearling (719) fishing video by Mickey Williams.:
879, 435 Holly and her two cubs (503 Cubadult and 719) video by Mickey Williams.:
2016:[]
503 Cubadult was included in the 2016 Bears of Brooks River book on page 27 :
503 Cubadult was successfully darted in 2016 by Ranger Michael Saxton for the Genetics Study.
May 2016:[]
2016.05.21: L♥♥k who showed up today!
At 20:55 Ranger Dave pops into the bearcam comments (the Explore bearcams are not live yet for the season) to let us know that 3.5 year-old 503 Cubadult has returned to the Brooks River with 435 Holly and her biological 2.5 year-old cub. Ranger Dave also shares a photo by Ranger Anela . At 20:58 Ranger Dave shares a photo of 503 Cubadult by Ranger Anela :
Ranger Tammy Carmack, KNP&P Bear Technician talks about the return of 435 Holly's blended family group in this KNP&P video posted on the KNP&P facebook page on 05/23/2017. 435 Holly and the cubs can be seen in the video on the day they returned to Brooks Camp (05/21/2016).
2016.05.23: Mike Fitz, former KNP&P Ranger and Visual Information Specialist shares his thoughts about 435 Holly and both cubs returning to the river together in his Explore blog: Another Summer with Holly and Her Cubs :
"Last week, Brooks River’s most famous bear family—435 Holly, her biological (now 2.5 year-old) female cub, and her adopted (now 3.5 year-old) male cub—were seen for a brief time at Brooks River. Last fall, the future of this family was a target for much speculation. Would 435 keep her cubs for another year? Or, is it time for them to go their separate ways? It may be too early to answer those questions definitively.
Katmai’s mother bears usually keep their cubs for two to three summers before separating from them. The cubs’ emancipation happens in spring after the bears emerge from their dens and is not voluntary. Hormonal changes, likely related to the return of the mother bear’s estrus cycle, cause her to become increasingly intolerant of her offspring. While I’ve never seen this separation occur, it’s been described as somewhat sudden and aggressive. The cubs may not know what’s coming. “It must be a traumatic experience for the juvenile bears to be evicted by a mother who has fed and protected them all their lives,” mused Will Troyer, one of the first biologists to study Katmai’s bears. This is an event every bear must endure as it matures.
But, late May is here and Holly still has her cubs. Does this mean the cubs will be spared from separation until next spring? Some evidence suggests they still may go their separate ways.
In early May 2008, 408 CC returned to Brooks River with her three 3.5 year-old offspring. We watched them play near Brooks Lodge before they disappeared into the forest. When 408 came back that July, she was single. She drove away her cubs sometime between those two events.
Bears at Brooks River usually don’t vary in the amount of time they keep their offspring. If they wean them at 2.5 years, for example, then they are likely to wean subsequent litters at that age as well. 435 Holly weaned her only known surviving offspring, 89 Backpack, when he was a 2.5 year-old.
We know that bears separate from their offspring at this time of the year, and Holly’s biological cub from her current litter is 2.5 years old, the same age as 89 Backpack when he was weaned. However, it would be a mistake to use these anecdotes as absolute predictors for this bear family in 2016. So much of this family’s history is atypical.
The stress of separation might be great for newly weaned cubs, but a mother doesn’t do it out of malice. Nor does she “choose” to keep her cubs to be nice. The mother’s biology will dictate the family’s separation or continued unity."
2016.05.XX: Add here
June 2016:[]
2016.06.04 (Saturday): 503 Cubadult is observed as an independent subadult per Ranger Daniel's 06/05/2016 14:18 comment:
"Saturday (06/004/2016) afternoon, what appears to be 503, was seen walking around the lower Brooks River, seemingly alone.
It appears that 503 may now be on its own. Did its mother 435 chase it off? Did 503 decide to leave on its own? Or maybe it was forced to leave if 435 was courted by a larger male? And what about 435's biological cub? Has it been chased of as well? These are the questions swirling around Brooks Camp today (06/05/2014).
We don't have any solid answers yet and might not ever. What we do know is that while the weaning process is probably stressful for the cub, the mother doesn’t make a conscious choice to keep or drive off her offspring. The biological processes of estrous dictates the events."
Unfortunately, Ranger Daniel deleted his Explore / Disqus account, so links to his comments and photos posted, while available will not take you to those comments / photos. Snips are provided below:
503’s life history is interesting and unique because of his early life circumstances- being abandoned in 2014 and adopted by another sow in the same year. Thanks to the Explore live cams, the interactions we receive from the NPS rangers, and park visitors like Tina Crowe (aka CalliopeJane) we have been able to witness his life story from his spring cub season on. His story demonstrates the challenges young bears face, but his story also shows us that sometimes bears can catch a break. 503’s break just so happened to be a toasted-marshmallow-colored sow identified as 435 Holly. 435 already had a spring cub and she was tolerant enough to accept 503 and raise him through those early years when cubs are unlikely to survive on their own. In 2016, 503 and his adopted sister 719 were emancipated by 435, both subadults have been seen along Brooks River and thriving. Stay tuned this now independent bear has more to teach us as we follow his story forward from here...many believe we may be watching the future king of Brooks River as he makes his way to being the most dominant boar that utilizes the river.
2016.06.06 08:11: Mike Fitz, former KNP&P Ranger and Visual Information Specialist pops into the bearcam comments to share his thoughts:
2016.06.07: Mike Fitz shares more thoughts about 503 Cubadult being observed alone in this Explore blog post:
The Teenagers of the Bear World
"Recently I speculated that 435 Holly and her two cubs might go their separate ways. Since then, park rangers spotted Holly’s adopted cub, 503 Cubadult, wandering alone near the mouth of Brooks River. Neither 435 nor her biological cub were seen nearby. It appears that the Cubadult has become a subadult. He’s now begun a challenging journey that will test his instincts and survival skills.
Subadult bears are those who are independent of their mother, but have not yet fully matured physically or (as I suspect) mentally. They are the teenagers of the bear world. Katmai’s bears typically enter subadulthood in their third or fourth summer. While subadults are typically curious and more playful than adults, they also must establish their own home range and face stiff competition from adult bears. If they encounter their mother, not even she will cut her offspring any slack. (A few years ago, I watched 435 Holly charge 89 Backpack, her cub from a 2006 litter.)
It’s not easy to be a teenager nor is it easy to be a subadult. Subadult bears, like 503, rank lowest in the bear hierarchy. 503 only ranks higher than smaller subadults. At Brooks River, he may wander to the falls, but will not gain the same access to salmon as he did with his mother. Without mom to shadow and protect him, he’s much more vulnerable to attacks from other bears. Accordingly, most subadult bears avoid Brooks Falls. If they do approach, they often do so skittishly, hovering on the river bank or downstream and scavenging partially eaten salmon carcasses.
Subadult males are more likely to disperse away from their mother’s home range than subadult females. While several adult male bears at Brooks River fished there as cubs (i.e. 83, 89, 151, 274, 868), 503 might wander far from Brooks River. On that journey, if he finds enough food and space to survive, it’s certainly possible that we may never see him again.
503’s multi-year subadult journey could be risky and dangerous, but if his instincts and survival skills are up to the task, it may lead to a long life. Perhaps 503 will return to Brooks River and we’ll be witness to the next part of his journey on bearcam. Perhaps not, leaving us to only wonder about his fate."
July 2016:[]
The following July 2016 NPS photos are available of 503 Cubadult:
2016.07.16 - 2016.07.21: Truman Everts captured this photograph of 503 Cubadult (p 08/30/16 12:04).:
2016.07.17: Park visitor and cam viewer Scott H Melnick captured this photo of 503 Cubadult (right) and 719 (left). Park visitor and cam viewer Kenneth Kearney captured this photo of 503 Cubadult (left) and 719 (right).
Mazey discovered this video by Brokk Mowrey that was not published on youTube until April 10, 2019, however it appears to be from the same day and time as Scott and Kenneth's photos that are linked above.:
Scott H. Melnick also captured other photos of 503 Cubadult and 719 on July 17, 2016: Photo links: #1 , #2 , #3 , #4 , #5 , #6 , #7 , #8 , #9 , #10 , #11 , #12 , #13 , #14 , #15 , #16 , #17 , #18 . #19 . #20 , #21 , #22 , #23 , #24 , #25 , #26 , #27 , #28 , #29 , #30 , #31 , #32 , #33 , #34 , #35 , #36 & #37 .
Scott H Melnick captured these photos (#1 , #2 & #3 ) of 503 Cubadult on July 17, 2016.
Kenneth Kearney also captured other photos of 503 Cubadult and 719 on July 17, 2016: Photo links: #1 , #2 , #3 , #4 , #5 , #6 , #7 , #8 . #9 , #10 , #11 , #12 , #13 , #14 , #15 , #16 , #17 , #18 , #19 , #20 , #21 , #22 , #23 & #24 .
Kenneth Kearney captured this photo of 503 Cubadult taking notice of his biological mother, 402 and her two yearlings.
2016.07.18: 503 Cubadult and 719 on under water cam, video by angerbodha:
2016.07.21: 503 successfully fishing at the falls in this video by LuvBears:
2016.07.23: Recently emancipated 503 Cubadult crosses paths with his adopted mother, 435 Holly in this video by Melissa Freels.
Cam viewer, Goldilocks describes the interaction : "503 and 435 Holly approaching each other, from opposite directions, on the spit. 435 Holly passes without any change in her pace or direction. 503 stops, and appears to recognize her. He changes direction and starts to run after her. He thinks better of it...stops...and after a moment, turns and proceeds to continue in the direction he was originally heading in.....straight into his successful, independent future."
2018.07.28: 503 Cubadult & 719 come from the riffles to the falls in this video by Erum Chad:
August 2016:[]
2016.08.24: This video by JoniT shows 503 fishing near the office while 435 Holly, his adoptive mother that emancipated him earlier this season fishes in the far pool. 503 is having a time navigating the rushing water whereas 435 Holly with her "stout form" has no problem maintaining her spot.:
Current Strong for Bear 503 fishing near the office as 435 Holly fishes in the far pool 8.24.16 video by JoniT
503 Cubadult tries to get 435 Holly's attention in the video by
2016.08.26:
503 gets a salmon video by Rob Rager (aka RobNJ):
503 climbs to top of falls to watch the adult boars fish where cam op gets some great close-up footage of him video by Melissa Freels:
September 2016:[]
The following September 2016 NPS photos are available of 503 Cubadult:
2016.09.02: 503 Cubadult on under water cam, video by Brenda D. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
2016.09.14: Lisa Robertson (aka Larinor) shared a 9/14/2016 photo of 151 Walker (left) and 503 (right) on 5/14/2023. "503 and 151 Walker. I miss the bromance and entertaining play sessions between these two!"
Please request Lisa Robertson's (aka Larinor) permission prior to using her photographs!
_and_503_(right)_September_14,_2016_photo_by_Lisa_Robertson_(aka_Larinor)_.01.jpg "151 Walker (left) and 503 (right) September 14, 2016 photo by Lisa Robertson (aka Larinor) .01.jpg (1.21 MB)")
2016.09.28: 503 and 289 play on the spit, 9/28/2016 video by Victoria White.
October 2016: []
2016.10.04: GreenRiver shared these snapshots of 94 with her male yearling (810) and newly emancipated 503 Cubadult in the background (#3 & #4 ) (p 02/16/2020 07:10 ).:
2017:[]
503 Cubadult was included in the 2017 Bears of Brooks River book on page 31 :
2017 Season:[]
2017.??.??: GreenRiver created this video of 503 observations from during the 2017 season. On June 2, 2019, 503 Cubadult day, GreenRiver shared these thoughts :
"When I look back at this slide show now, he looks small compared to the way he looked last year.
I heard this song and immediately thought of 503, a giving, sharing, unique bear!
A quote from the song: “A dream was born into the night”
GreenRiver created this 2017 video "The Prince of Katmai Grows Up, Brooks River Brown Bear No. 503." GreenRiver stated "Here’s a slideshow video of 503 that was from the end of 2017 but I didn’t create it until April of the next year.
“The Prince of Katmai grows up”.
2017.??.??: Cruiser created these collages of 503 observations during the 2017 season: 503 Cubadult & 719 and 503 Cubadult & 151 Walker. Keli shared these 2017 season snapshots (#1 & #2 ) of 503 Cubadult.
Truman Everts shared this 2017 photo of 503 Cubadult on 5/31/2020. "Can't find (on a lazy Sunday, anyway) date...2017? Young 503 wonders if every living being is a potential play partner..."
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
2017.??.??: Park visitor Saurabh Shankar captured this video of 503 Cubadult playing with 806 (or 812?) during the 2017 season (published September 10, 2017):
June 2017:[]
2017.06.23: 503 Cubadult returns to the Brooks River.
Erum Chad (aka Erie) captures this video of 503 at Brooks Falls:
2017.06.26: Truman Everts shared this 6/26/2017 photo of 503 Cubadult on 5/31/2020. "At least 2 Caroline paintings that I'm aware of, came from this quiet 503 moment on the lower river, in June, '17..." Truman Everts shared 2 additional photos of 503 Cubadult from that charming "melancholy series" on 5/31/2020, #1 and #2. The 2nd photo is " a pulled back shot, that shows that the entirety of Brooks River was actually between 503 & I at that time...
(though he was aware, and unconcerned, I was there."
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
2017.06.30: 503 Cubadult from gravel bar to spit video by Ratna:
July 2017:[]
Melissa Freels shared these two July 2017 photos (#1 & #2 ) of 503 Cubadult created with GoArt.:
Please request Melissa's permission prior to using her photos!
503 Cubadult is listed as observed on the unofficial July 2017 Bears Observed During Official Bear Monitoring Sessions List .
2017.07.??: 503 Cubadult video by Mocha.:
2017.07.01: 503 Cubadult is observed on the underwater cam, video by Erum Chad (aka Erie):
2017.07.03: 503 Cubadult and 719 (maybe) in lower river, video by birdnerd57:
2017.07.05: 503 Cubadult and 719 playing together on the Lower River cam video by Arlene Beech.:
2017.07.07: At approximately 19:00 AKDT Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA) captured this video of subadult 503 Cubadult with 2 other subadults playing along the lower Brooks River.:
503 and 2 Subadults along the Lower River July 7, 2017 approximately 19 00 AKDT by Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA)
2017.07.09: 274 Overflow and 503 Cubadult video by Melissa Freels.:
2017.07.13:
2017.07.21: 503 and 719 are together on the lower river. And come across 811 and 812 (811 & 812's first year of emancipation). 503 goes over to greet 812.......811 strongly objects. Babsgrabs captured this video:
2017.07.22: ElaineDE shared this 7/22/2017 photo of 719 (left) and 503 Cubadult (right) in the oxbow on 5/31/2020. 503 is seen doing his "back float."
Please request ElaineDE's permission prior to using her photographs!
_and_503_Cubadult_(right)_July_22,_2017_photo_by_ElaineDE.jpg "719 (left) and 503 Cubadult (right) July 22, 2017 photo by ElaineDE.jpg (2.34 MB)")
2017.07.30:
503 Cubadult is startled by 775 Lefty at approximately 11:12 AM video by flyer7474 (aka SteveCA):
503 Cubadult in the jacuzzi, video by Stmango:
August 2017:[]
2017.08.01: At approximately 18:01 AKDT, Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA) captured this video of 128 Grazer grazering 503 Cubadult.:
Bear 128 Grazer and Victim 503 on August 1, 2017 approximately 18 01, Video by Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA)-1
2017.08.05: Martina's video when 503 is fishing in the J and along comes 402. He is a little discombobulated.:
2017.08.08:
Melissa Freels (aka MelissaInOR) captures 503 and his adventures with the t-shirt in these two videos:
Part 1 from Brooks Falls live cam:
Part 2 as the adventure continues from the Riffles live cam:
Explore posted video of 503 and the t-shirt on 8/10/17.
503 catches a fish in the far pool and takes the fish above the falls to eat it. Brenda D captures this close-up view of 503 in her video. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
2017.08.11: 503 walks past 151 Walker and 755 ScareD Bear to the island where he gets scared by 32 Chunk, 8/11/2017 video by Brenda D. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
2017.08.12: 503 treis to convince 755 Scare D Bear, an adult male that play time can be fun in this video by Brenda D. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
2017.08.14: Just this morning, 719 was thinking and reminiscing about growing up with 503 Cubadult. DTB captures those memories from 06/29/2015 until this morning in this amazing video: The Way We Are :
The Way We Are with 719, 503 Cubadult, 435 Holly and other Brooks River bears 06 29 2015 - 08 14 2017 video by DTB-0
2017.08.14-08.18: Cam viewer and Brooks Camp visitor Leila shared an 8/14-8/18/2017 photo of 719 with 503 on 1/29/2023. "Here's one of my favorite moments of August, 2017: 719 playing with big bro 503."
Please request Leala's permission prior to using their photographs!
_and_719_(right)_August_14-August_18,_2017_photo_by_Leala.jpg "503 (left) and 719 (right) August 14-August 18, 2017 photo by Leala.jpg (60 KB)")
2017.08.15: 503 Cubadult with 719 video by Brenda D. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
2017.08.20: 503 Cubadult in the jacuzzi getting his water aerobics in, video by Melissa Freels (aka MelissaInOR):
Brenda D captured this video ...6 minutes of 503's water aerobics. Mostly in the J.....he moves over, downriver of the office, and tries out some of his routine there. At one point it looks like Walker is sitting over there by his rock... Judging! Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
2017.08.24: 503 Cubadult antics in the jacuzzi video by Rockatte:
At approximately 15:58 AKDT Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA) captured this video 503-719 "Dinner for Two". 719 and 503 Cubadult have dinner at the rock above the Falls. But it didn't start at well. :
2017.08.27: 503 plays with 806 in the far pool while 719 fishes, 8/27/2017 video by Birgitt.
2017.08.29: 503 Cubadult and Little Lip Fisher (804 ? or 806 ?) in Ratna's The BEAR hug video :
September 2017:[]
503 Cubadult in September 2017 from Mike Fitz' June 11, 2018 Explore.org blog: 2018 Bearcam Stories: 503
2017.09.??: Leslie Zane (aka lesleezee) captured 151 Walker (right) and 503 (left) play fighting in this video titled "151 headlocks 503, September 2017."
2017.09.02: 503 Cubadult comes to the rescue when 708 and her 2.5 year-old cubs gang up on 719 video by Ratna Narayan.:
2017.09.04: 509 Cubadult, 719, and 804 (aka Little Lip Fisher) video by Birgitt:
Aneel Nazareth's 9/4/2017 photo of 806 (right) and 503 (left) playing on the lip.
2017.09.05: 503 Cubadult tolerates 719 taking part of his salmon, video by Brenda D. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
410 lacks the desire to play with 503 Cubadult video by Patricia65. Even 503s legendary charm could not win over 410.:
2017.09.06: Cruiser's 9/6/2017 snapshot collage of 151 Walker and 503 play fighting. "When they were still buddies."
Ratna Narayan captured video of a "Bromance" between 503 and 151 Walker on 9/6/2017.
2017.09.09:
503 Cubadult has words with 151 Walker and 480 Otis video by Ratna:
2017.09.26: 503 Cubadult video by Ratna.:
83 Wayne Brother tries to displace 503 Cubadult from the jacuzzi, 480 Otis provides back-up to 503 video by Rockatte.:
806 is fishing the lip with 503 in the jacuzzi below. 402 (503's speculated Mom) wants to dive for fish but 503 is in her way, a minor squabble ensues, video by 12gizmo16.
2017.09.28:
17:38: 503 Cubadult slips and slides off the falls video by Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA):
October 2017:[]
2017.10.01:
503 Cubadult and 151 Walker play near jacuzz, 274 Overflow near islandi, video by Brenda D. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
503 Cubadult video by Brenda D. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
2017.10.22: 719 is seen from 0:00-1:55 fishing in the riffles in this video by Melissa Freels (aka MelissaInOR). 503 can be observed from 2:57-4:20 fishing from the riffles to the falls in the snow:
719 (?) and 503 (@ approx 2 57) in the Snow, October 22, 2017 video by Melissa Freels (aka MelissaInOR)
2017.10.25: 503 is the star of the show in this video by Melissa Freels (aka MelissaInOR) where he explores the river from the office to the riffles:
Fall 2017:[]
503 Cubadult is listed as observed on the unofficial Fall 2017 Bears Observed During Official Bear Monitoring Sessions List .
November 2017:[]
The fall 2017 cliffhanger....will 503 Cubadult be reclassified as an adult male in the 2018 Bears of Brooks River boook?
2018: 5.5 Year-Old Adult Male[]
503 was included in the adult males section of the 2018 Bears of Brooks River book on page 77. His official nickname, Cubadult no longer appeared next to his bear monitoring number.:
The Salmon Quest by GreenRiver:
The Salmon Quest - 2018 Bear Cam Trailer
503 Cubadult, 719 and 806 (2017 Little Lip Fisher), video by GreenRiver
Beneath A Northern Sky ~ 2018 Bear Cam Trailer by GreenRiver.:
2018 Season:[]
Deanna Dittloff (aka deelynnd) created this video of 503 Cubadult observations during the 2018 season.:
Green River created this video of 503 Cubadult titled "Katmai Brown Bear 503 in 2018."
JG shared these 2018 snapshots of 503 Cubadult captured between June 24, 2018 and October 19, 2018. (#1 , #2 , #3 , #4 , #5 , #6 , #7 , #8 , #9 , #10 , #11 , #12 , #13 , #14 , #15 , #16 , #17 , #18 & #19 ):
GreenRiver created this The Legend of 503 Brown Bear video during the 2018 season.:
June 2018:[]
2018.06.11: Mike Fitz' June 11, 2018 Explore.org blog: 2018 Bearcam Stories: 503
2018.06.23: 503 Cubadult return to the Falls in 2018 video by Brenda D. On June 23rd, 503 walks up to the Falls from the Riffles. He immediately catches a salmon. This was the 1st fish cam viewers observed caught by a bear in the 2018 season. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
2018.06.24: Truman Everts shared this 6/24/2018 photo of 503 on 4/21/2020. Truman Everts shared two 6/24/2018 photos of 503 Cubadult on 8/27/2020, #1 and #2.
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
July 2018:[]
2018.07.06: Park visitor and cam viewer NWBearLove92 captured 2 photos of 89 Backpack playing with 503 Cubadult. The photos were shared on chat on 3/18/2020, #1, #2
Please request NWBearLove92's permission prior to using any of their photographs!
_and_503_(left)_July_6,_2018_photo_by_NWBearLove92_.01.jpg "89 Backpack (right) and 503 (left) July 6, 2018 photo by NWBearLove92 .01.jpg (1.76 MB)")
_and_503_(left)_July_6,_2018_photo_by_NWBearLove92_.02.jpg "89 Backpack (right) and 503 (left) July 6, 2018 photo by NWBearLove92 .02.jpg (4.3 MB)")
2018.07.07: NWBearLove92 shared this 7/7/2018 photo of 89 Backpack (left) and 503 Cubadult (right) in the riffles on 5/7/2020. Of interest, 89 Backpack's mother is 435 Holly. 503 is the adopted son of 435 Holly. NWBearLove92 shared these 7/7/2018 photos of 503 Cubadult playing with a subadult on 5/31/2020, #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5. "This 503 play fight on the lower river was really fun to watch and went on for a long time. I don’t know the ID of the other bear...maybe someone else does."
Please request NWBearLove92's permission prior to using any of their photographs!
_and_503_Cubadult_(right)_July_7,_2018_photo_by_NWBearLove92.jpg "89 Backpack (left) and 503 Cubadult (right) July 7, 2018 photo by NWBearLove92.jpg (1.68 MB)")
_and_a_subadult_(right)_July_7,_2018_photo_by_NWBearLove92_.01.jpg "503 Cubadult (left) and a subadult (right) July 7, 2018 photo by NWBearLove92 .01.jpg (1.8 MB)")
_and_a_subadult_(right)_July_7,_2018_photo_by_NWBearLove92_.02.jpg "503 Cubadult (left) and a subadult (right) July 7, 2018 photo by NWBearLove92 .02.jpg (1.95 MB)")
_and_a_subadult_(right)_July_7,_2018_photo_by_NWBearLove92_.03.jpg "503 Cubadult (left) and a subadult (right) July 7, 2018 photo by NWBearLove92 .03.jpg (2.02 MB)")
_and_a_subadult_(right)_July_7,_2018_photo_by_NWBearLove92_.04.jpg "503 Cubadult (left) and a subadult (right) July 7, 2018 photo by NWBearLove92 .04.jpg (1.71 MB)")
_and_a_subadult_(right)_July_7,_2018_photo_by_NWBearLove92_.05.jpg "503 Cubadult (left) and a subadult (right) July 7, 2018 photo by NWBearLove92 .05.jpg (1.84 MB)")
2018.07.17: 503 Cubadult splashes 480 Otis McKate's Falls Low View cam video :
151 Walker tries to steal 503 Cubadult's fish, 480 Otis breaks up the fight video by Erum Chad (aka Erie).:
Bear Walker tried to steal 503 fish Otis broke the fight 2018 07 17 Brooks falls by Erum Chad (aka Erie)
503 can be seen playing with 820 from 0:08-0:40 in this 7/17/2018 video by Birgitt.
2018.07.28: 503 Cubadult playing with 806 "Little Lip Fisher" video by mckate.:
2018.07.29: 503 Cubadult playing with Little Lip Fisher (804 ? or 806 ?) rematch video by mckate.:
503 Cubadult attacks 719 video by tsaneda.:
2018.07.30: 503 Cubadult invidtes Little Lip Fisher (804 ? or 806 ?) to play video by mckate.:
August 2018:[]
2018.08.03: 503 Cubadult and 854 Divot video by mckate.:
2018.08.04: 128 grazers 503 Cubadult when he comes to join 812 on the lip video by Birgitt.
"Bear 128 Grazer is eating a fish when 503 comes to join his younger brother 812 on the lip. Finished with her fish, 128 decides that 503 is too close for comfort and grazers him. And then makes a very smooth catch.":
Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA) created this video of 854 Divot and 503 Cubadult; 854/Divot schools 503/Cubadult on his issues with personal space bubbles. The "action" starts at the 3 min mark.:
KNP volunteer Maurice Whalen captured 8/4/2018 video "Bear 854, Divot, gives a firmly worded warning" to 503. Turn up your sound.
2018.08.07: 503 & 480 Otis encounter video by Deanna Dittloff:
2018.08.09: 480 Otis and 503 Cubadult argument a draw video by McKate.:
480 Otis goes after 503 Cubadult by the island part 1 from Falls Low View cam video by Birgitt.:
480 Otis goes after 503 Cubadult by the island part 2 from Falls (regular - high view) cam video by Birgitt.:
2018.08.10: 151 Walker plays with 503 Cubadult, gives 480 Otis a smooch video by mckate.:
2018.08.15: 747 attacking 503 Cubadult in the office and then chasing him out of the far pool, riffles view video by Lani H.:
747 attacking 503 in the office then chasing him out of the far pool, riffles view 8 15 2018 by Lani H-0
747 attacking 503 Cubadult in the office, Brooks Falls Low Cam view video by Lani H.:
2018.08.19: On this rainy day in August 2018, a limping 755 Scare D Bear gingerly made his way down the steep, slick river bank across the river. 503 Cubadult, Katmai's caregiver, was there to offer his friend some encouragement in this video by tsaneda.:
2018.08.22: 503 Cubadult and 747 in the far pool video by Birgitt.:
2018.08.23: 503 Cubadult and 151 Walker play fight video by Arlene Beech.:
2018.08.24: 503 Cubadult toys with 812 video by mckate. "It's a gray day. The fish aren't jumping and your friends are away. Would there be a better way to pass the time than by annoying your little brother? ":
812 won't relinquish the jacuzzi to 503 Cubadult video by Birgitt. 3.5 year old subadult 812 won't relinquish the Jacuzzi to his 5.5 year old brother from another litter 503. Both are offspring of 402 Brooke and grandsons of 24 BB who was the most dominant boar on the river for 10+ years.:
2018.08.25: 503 Cubadult's race to the jacuzzi gif created by Cruiser. :
2018.08.26: Brothers 503 Cubadult and 812 spar in the jacuzzi video by Birgitt. Bears 503 and 812, 402's sons from different litters, spar in the Jacuzzi. Both of these bears are the offspring of bear 402 who is herself the daughter of 24 BB who was the most dominant bear on Brooks River for nearly a decade. Both show signs of being very dominant bears and, although from different litters, enjoyed each other's company in the summer of 2018.:
2018.08.30: 503 Cubadult gets a 128 Grazer surprise video by mckate.:
September 2018:[]
2018.09.??: 503 Cubadult video by Melissa Freels.:
2018.09.02: 503 Cubadult and his beggar entourage video by Ratna.:
854 Divot, 806 "Little Lip Fisher", 719 and 812 wait for 503 Cubadult's scraps video by Birgitt.:
2018.09.03: 503 Cubadult and 151 Walker video by mckate:
2018.09.04: 719 takes over the jacuzzi while 503 Cubadult and 812 play video by Birgitt:
503 Cubadult, 719, 812 and 806 Little Lip Fisher at the falls part 2 video by Birgitt.:
812 and 719 share the jacuzzi after 503 Cubadult leaves video by Birgitt. 68 (?) and 879 are fishing in the far pool at Brooks Falls when we pan out to 503 leaving the jacuzzi and his siblings 719 and 812 move in the share the J. 806 Little Lip Fisher (number to be clarified) is fishing the lip above them.:
2018.09.06: "Last fall (2018) 503 went on a charm offensive to keep Chunk from taking over the J. He knows it’s awkward to boot a friend from his spot, and this tactic sometimes worked. When it didn’t, he even resorted to pouting which was effective at least once." Mckate shared videos from September 24, 2018 , October 6, 2018 and September 6, 2018 to demonstrate this.:
2018.09.10: 503 Cubadult and 812 smelling 856? video by mckate.:
2018.09.14: 503 Cubadult and 856 video by Martina:
At approximately 14:45 AKDT 856 chases 503 Cubadult up the hill and then follows him video by Cheryl B:
2018.09.14 - 2018.09.17: Park visitor and cam viewer, Ratna Narayan captured this photo of 503 Cubadult. This is one of Ratna's favorite photos of 503 from her trip. Ratna likes this photo she captured "because of the look in his eyes ". Ratna also captured this photo of 503. Another wonderful 503 Cubadult photo by Ratna . Ratna's photo of 503 Cubadult with a freshly caught salmon. Ratna captured this photo of 503 Cubadult in the jacuzzi. Ratna also captured this photo of 503 Cubadult. Ratna captured another photo of 503 Cubadult with a fresh catch. Ratna captured another photo of 503 Cubadult in the jacuzzi. Ratna doesn't disappoint with this photo of 503 Cubadult. Ratna captured this photo of 503 Cubadult (right) with another bear (who left). Ratna shared this photo of 503 Cubadult's rump. Ratna also shared this photo of 503 Cubadult. Ratna captured these photographs (#1 B&W & #2 Color) of 503 with 812 (p 02/26/2020 08:54 ).:
Please request Ratna's permission prior to using her photos!
Cam viewer, Kam created this artwork inspired by one of Ratna Narayan's September 14, 2018 - September 17, 2018 photos.:
Park visitor and cam viewer, Ratna Narayan captured these photos (#1 & #2 ) of 503 Cubadult and 719. "How quickly it goes from sure I will share my fish to 503 stop eating all my fish!":
Please request Ratna's permission prior to using her photos!
Park visitor and cam viewer, Ratna Narayan captured these photos of 503 Cubadult with 812: Photo #1 , #2 , #3 , #4 , & #5 . Ratna also shared these photos of 503 Cubadult with 812.: Photo #1 , #2 & #3 (note only the newly shared photos from this comment are linked here).:
Please request Ratna's permission prior to using her photos!
2018.09.14 - 2018.09.17: Park visitor and cam viewer, Ratna Narayan captured this photo of 503 Cubadult (near) with 480 Otis (far).:
2018.09.14 - 2018.09.17: Park visitor and cam viewer, Ratna Narayan captured this photo of 151 Walker and 503 Cubadult during her trip to Brooks Camp.:
Please request Ratna's permsision prior to using her photographs!
Cam viewer, Scooch created this paraphrase of Buzza Motto to go with Ratna's photograph:
"151 Walker to 503 ~
There are lots of bears
in the world, it is true
Lots of bears,
but only one you
And I count myself lucky
and shall to the end
That out of them all
I have you for a friend!"
Ratna also shared this photo of 503 Cubadult (left) with 151 Walker (right).:
Please request Ratna's permission prior to using her photos!
2018.09.15: 503 Cubadult with 812 video by Ratna Narayan, from her trip to Brooks Camp.:
503 Cubadult, 89 Backpack and 151 Walker in the jacuzzi:
Part 1 video by Birgitt:
Part 2 video by Birgitt:
Birgitt captured this 9/15/2018 video of 151 Walker going after 503 in the far pool while 719 stands her ground.
2018.09.21: 503 Cubadult attempts to greet 284 "Electra" video by mckate.:
2018.09.22: 503 Cubadult bites 274 Overflow video by mckate.:
2018.09.23: 32 Chunk plays with 503 Cubadult video by mckate.:
32 Chunk play fights with 503, 9/23/2018 video by Lani H.
2018.09.24: "Last fall (2018) 503 went on a charm offensive to keep Chunk from taking over the J. He knows it’s awkward to boot a friend from his spot, and this tactic sometimes worked. When it didn’t, he even resorted to pouting which was effective at least once." Mckate shared videos from September 24, 2018 , October 6, 2018 and September 6, 2018 to demonstrate this.:
32 Chunk and 503 play fight in the jacuzzi, 9/24/2019 video by Lani H.
Cruiser created this gif of 503 Cubadult and another subadult / young adult (possibly Little Lip Fisher 804 ? or 806 /?). Mckate seemed to think the other bear is Little Lip Fisher as Little Lip Fisher "gets embarrassed for him when he rolls around like that ":
2018.09.27: 503 and 32 Chunk play in the jacuzzi, 9/27/2018 video by Lani H.
October 2018:[]
2018.10.06: A wild incident (best watched in slo-motion) involving 602 (best watched in slo-mo). 602 tries to steal 503 Cubadult's fish and 719 comes to the rescue yanking 602 off his feet. 812 checks on 602 in the aftermath while it looks like 720(?) just watches the lost fish float by in this video by mckate.:
"Last fall (2018) 503 went on a charm offensive to keep Chunk from taking over the J. He knows it’s awkward to boot a friend from his spot, and this tactic sometimes worked. When it didn’t, he even resorted to pouting which was effective at least once." Mckate shared videos from September 24, 2018 , October 6, 2018 and September 6, 2018 to demonstrate this. "Chunk seemed like he wanted the J, but 503 headed him off with a friendly gesture. A little later Chunk joined 503 in the J. When 503 didn't yield it to him, Chunk eventually left. It was all very friendly. 503's a clever bear.":
2018.10.08: 83 Wayne Brother having words with 503 Cubadult video by Ratna.:
Fall 2018:[]
GreenRiver shared this fall 2018 shapshot of 503 Cubadult (background) with 812 and 719. On June 2, 2019 GreenRiver shared these thoughts about this fall 2018 snapshot.:
"Last fall (2018) when I saw this, where 503 walked from the office, walked past 812, stopped briefly to accept a greeting from 719 and then walked on, I almost teared up. Somehow it seemed somewhat prophetic as if he was saying goodbye to his childhood and moving on. 812 and 719 stood there lined up like subjects in a royal receiving line. I hope he doesn’t change."
2019: 6.5 Year-Old Adult Male[]
January 2019:[]
2019.01.20: Deanna Dittloff (aka deelynnd) created this video of 503 Cubadult & 480 Otis with the dancing salmon.:
2019 Season:[]
2019.??.??: GreenRiver captured this snapshot of 480 Otis with the 402 siblings, 503 Cubadult and 812 (p 01/26/2020 15:51 ). CarolineB shared a 2019 painting of 503 (left) and 812 (right) on 3/7/2021.
_and_812_(right)_2019_painting_by_CarolineB.jpg "503 (left) and 812 (right) 2019 painting by CarolineB.jpg (872 KB)")
GreenRiver created this 2019 video of 503 Cubadult titled "Never Ordinary, the Prince of Katmai."
Deanna Dittloff (aka deelynnd) created this 2019 video of 503 Cubadult titled "Keeping up with the Brown Bears, 503 2019." 503 can be seen playing with multiple bears in the video.
June 2019:[]
2019.06.26: 503 Cubadult returns to the Brooks River for the 2019 season. Mckate commented : "...The first thing 503 did when he returned last night (6/26/2019) was to go into the far pool where Holly was fishing". Video by Ratna:
Video by Birgitt:
For a brief period of time, 435 Holly, 89 Backpack (435 Holly's 2006 offspring) and 503 Cubadult (435 Holly's adopted 2014 yearling) were fishing in close proximity in the far pool; video by mckate:
Truman Everts captured this photograph of 503 Cubadult at 20:26 AKDT on June 26, 2019 during his trip to Brooks Camp (p 10/20/19 08:18 ).: Truman Everts shared this 6/26/2019 photo of 503 Cubadult with his very long legs on 5/16/2020. Truman Everts shared this 6/26/2019 photo of 503 Cubadult on 5/23/2020. Truman Everts shared these 6/26/2019 photos of 503 Cubadult on 5/31/2020, #1 and #2. Truman Everts shared this unique 6/26/2019 photo of 503 Cubadult on 5/31/2020. Truman Everts shared this 6/26/2019 photo of 503 Cubadult on 5/31/2020. "One day 503 was telling me he'd like to try something a little more art-y...You know, bro, like that cool half-face Leonardo DiCaprio shot in W Magazine in his words. So." Truman Everts shared this 6/26/2019 photo of 503 Cubadult on 6/1/2020. "The Phantom of the Opera River." Truman Everts shared this 6/26/2019 photo of 503 Cubadult on 5/7/2020.
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
2019.06.28: 806 "Little Lip Fisher" and 128 Grazer rotate on the lip with 503 Cubadult in the jacuzzi video by Birgitt.:
2019.06.29: Truman Everts shared this 6/29/2019 photo of 503 Cubadult on 6/2/2020. "503 has the joint to himself! (a situation many bears would probably enjoy more than this social guy does)."
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
KCanada captured this snapshot of 503 Cubadult (p 12/15/19 07:55 ).:
2019.06.30: Truman Everts captured this photograph of 503 Cubadult at 18:20. 503's lower left canine tooth is visible in this image (p 12/09/19 03:18 ). Truman Everts captured this photograph of 503 Cubadult at 18:20 (p 12/06/19 06:00 ). Truman Everts captured this photograph of 503 at 18:54 (p 12/11/19 00:12 ). Truman Everts shared this 6/30/2019 photo of 503 Cubadult on 5/18/2020. Truman Everts shared this 6/30/2019 photo of 503 Cubadult on 5/6/2020.
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
July 2019: []
2019.07.07: NWBearLove92 shared this 7/7/2019 photo of 503 Cubadult in chat on 4/7/2020. NWBearLove92 shared this 7/7/2019 photo (1st photo) of 503 Cubadult on 5/31/2020. NWBearLove92 shared this 7/7/2019 photo of 503 Cubadult in chat on 5/31/2020.
Please request NWBearLove92's permission prior to using any of their photographs!
Truman Everts shared this 7/7/2019 photo of 820 (left) and 503 (right) playfighting on 5/1/2020. Truman Everts shared a 7/7/2019 photo of 820 and 503 playfighting on 5/27/2020.
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
_and_503_(right)_July_7,_2019_photo_by_Truman_Everts.jpg "820 (left) and 503 (right) July 7, 2019 photo by Truman Everts.jpg (1.05 MB)")
_and_503_(right)_July_7,_2019_photo_by_Truman_Everts_.02.jpg "820 (left) and 503 (right) July 7, 2019 photo by Truman Everts .02.jpg (912 KB)")
Mckate captured video of 820 and 503 playfighting on 7/7/2019. This video was taken at the same time as Truman Evert's above 7/7/2019 photo. The same scene can be viewed at 1:30.
Lani H also captured 7/7/2019 video of 820 and 503 playfighting at the same time as Truman Everts above 7/7/2019 photo. The 820/503 interaction can be viewed at 2:33.
2019.07.08: NWBearLove92 shared this 7/8/2019 photo of 503 Cubadult in chat on 3/24/2020. NWBearLove92 shared 7/8/2019 photos of 503 Cubadult in chat on 4/28/2020, photo #1 of 503, photo #2 is an art canvas created from photo #1. NWBearLove92 shared this 7/8/2019 photo of 503 Cubadult in chat on 5/30/2020. "Bear or giraffe?" NWBearLove92 shared 7/8/2019 photos of 503 Cubadult on 5/31/2020, #1 and #2. NWBearLove92 shared a 7/8/2019 photo (2nd photo) of 503 Cubadult on 5/31/2020. NWBearLove92 shared a 7/8/2019 photo of 503 Cubadult on 5/31/2020, "503 is such a big boar now." NWBearLove92 shared a 7/8/2019 photo of 503 Cubadult on 5/31/2020, "Goofy 503 in the J."
Please request NWBearLove92's permission prior to using any of their photographs!
2019.07.09-07.12: Cam watcher and Brooks Camp visitor Lori Hocking (aka Lovethebears1) shared this 7/12/2019 photo of 503 Cubadult on 5/31/2020. Lori Hocking (aka Lovethebears1) shared these 7/9-7/12/2019 photos of 503 Cubadult on 5/31/2020, #1, #2 and #3. Lori Hocking (aka Lovethebears1) shared these 7/9-7/12/2019 photos of 503 Cubadult and an unknown bear on 5/31/2020, #1 and #2. Lori Hocking (aka Lovethebears) shared this July 9, 2019-July 12, 2019 photo of 480 Otis (far) and 503 Cubadult (near) on 6/2/2020.
Please request Lori's (aka Lovethebears) permission prior to using her photographs!
.jpg "503 Cubadult July 12, 2019 photo by Lori Hocking (aka Lovethebears1).jpg (62 KB)")
_.02.jpg "503 Cubadult July 9, 2019-July 12, 2019 photo by Lori Hocking (aka Lovethebears1) .02.jpg (77 KB)")
_.03.jpg "503 Cubadult July 9, 2019-July 12, 2019 photo by Lori Hocking (aka Lovethebears1) .03.jpg (75 KB)")
_.04.jpg "503 Cubadult July 9, 2019-July 12, 2019 photo by Lori Hocking (aka Lovethebears1) .04.jpg (70 KB)")
_and_unknown_bear_(right)_July_9,_2019-July_12,_2019_photo_by_Lori_Hocking_(aka_Lovethebears1)_.01.jpg "503 Cubadult (left) and unknown bear (right) July 9, 2019-July 12, 2019 photo by Lori Hocking (aka Lovethebears1) .01.jpg (81 KB)")
_and_unknown_bear_(right)_July_9,_2019-July_12,_2019_photo_by_Lori_Hocking_)aka_Lovethebears1)_.02.jpg "503 Cubadult (left) and unknown bear (right) July 9, 2019-July 12, 2019 photo by Lori Hocking )aka Lovethebears1) .02.jpg (75 KB)")
_and_503_Cubadult_(near)_July_9,_2019-July_12,_2019_photo_by_Lori_Hocking_(aka_Lovethebears).jpg "480 Otis (far) and 503 Cubadult (near) July 9, 2019-July 12, 2019 photo by Lori Hocking (aka Lovethebears).jpg (4.73 MB)")
2019.07.09: NWBearLove shared this 7/9/2019 photo (3rd photo) of 503 Cubadult on 5/31/2020. NWBearLove shared this 7/9/2019 photo of 503 Cubadult on 5/31/2020. "503 resting and cooling off in the river."
Please request NWBearLove92's permission prior to using any of their photographs!
2019.07.10: Cam viewer and Brooks Camp visitor Olatz Azcona Munárriz shared ten 7/10/2019 photos of 503 on 6/5/2022, #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9 and #10. 503 is seen with 854 Divot in photo #2. "I decided to pay one last visit to the falls the last morning I stayed in Brooks Camp in 2019. 503 was one of the bears that was there during the couple of hours I stood both on the falls and riffles platform. A few salmon were beginning to enter the river that early morning and I suspect bears could smell them. 503 tried the Jacuzzi first, the riffles later and finally returned to the J where he was finally able to catch a couple of salmon, the second one, when I was already leaving the falls platform. To see him carrying that second fish in his mouth made me feel hope for the bears. I was feeling sad because it was time for me to say goodbye to this magical place, but happy and relieved at the same time because I knew the bears would be feasting on salmon again soon. When I crossed the bridge on my way to the beach I saw a school of salmon entering the river. All was going to be okay for them. One of the first things I did when I got back home two days later was to check the Explore´s cams. Lots of salmon were jumping the falls. I smiled. July 10, 2019."
Please request Olatz Azcona Munárriz's (aka Olatz) permission prior to using their photographs!
_and_854_Divot_(near)_June_10,_2019_photo_by_Olatz_Azcona_Mun%C3%A1rriz_.01.jpg "503 (far) and 854 Divot (near) June 10, 2019 photo by Olatz Azcona Munárriz .01.jpg (4.2 MB)")
2019.07.11: NWBearLove shared this 7/11/2019 photo of 503 Cubadult on 5/31/2020. NWBearLove92 shared this7/11/2019 photo of 503 Cubadult on 5/31/2020.
Please request NWBearLove92's permission prior to using any of their photographs!
2019.07.12: Birgitt captured this video of 503 Cubadult taking on 801 in the jacuzzi and winning:
2019.07.15: Handsome subadult 821 fishes the lip while 503 feeds 854 Divot, 7/15/2019 video by Erum Chad.
2019.07.17: 503 Cubadult sneaks past 856 video by mckate.:
2019.07.18: 503 July 18, 2019 NPS photo by Ranger Tammy Carmack KNP&P Flickr.
503 Cubadult was recorded mating with 900 on 7/18/2019 by Howard & Linda (rvdreams). They also captured these photographs of the mating couple: #1 , #2 , #3 & #4 In a second 7/18/2019 video, it appears that 856 interrupted the mating session.
503 Cubadult mating with 900, 747 finally notices then follows 900 around the falls video by Lani H.:
2019.07.20: 68 follows 503 looking for a play date, video by Birgitt, 7/20/2019.
2019.07.26: 503 Cubadult mating with 900(?) but interrupted by 747:
Video by Cruiser:
Video by Lani H.:
503 Cubadult wanting to play with 812 video by Lani H.:
Katmai Conservancy Ranger Naomi Boak shared this 7/26/2019 NPS photo of 503 Cubadult on 5/31/2020.
Permission to use her NPS photos posted on the bearcam comments
2019.07.27: 503 Cubadult and 68 play fighting above the falls before 747 breaks them up video by Lani H.:
634 Popeye and 503 Cubadult have words video by Lani H.:
2019.07.29: 503 Cubadult and 900 "You owe me kid" July 29, 2019 (not June 29, 2019) video by mckate:
503 having fun in the jacuzzi, 7/29/2019 video by Lani H.
August 2019:[]
2019.08.01: 503, 128 Grazer and 775 Lefty on the lip, 8/1/2019 video by Lani H. This was 503's last day at the falls before leaving on his August holiday.
September 2019:[]
2019.09.??: "Scrappy" Male Subadult with 503 video by Melissa Freels. "503 greets a young bear who would rather wait for salmon scraps than play. " Melissa also shared this information about the video on 01/04/2020: "There was some talk about this bear last night, so I uploaded this video and wanted to share. I call him Little Bear, but others have called him Beggar Bear or Scrappy (maybe other names, too). He's the one who waits for scraps just down river of the Office. Anyway, I thought this interaction was kind of funny. 503 wants to play, but Little Bear just wants to wait for scraps from 856. Then, near the end, 503 seems to give him a look like, "Man, you are either crazy or very brave." At least that's my take on it":
Melissa Freels also captured these September 2019 photographs (#1 , #2 & #3 ) of "Scrappy" with 503 (p 01/04/2020 09:09 ).:
Please request Melissa Freels' permission prior to using her photographs!
2019.09.??: Bonnie Hankins (aka NutsBoutBears) captured this photograph of 503 Cubadult that shows his curls (p 01/25/2020 15:42 ).:
Please request Bonnie Hankins' (aka NutsBoutBears) permission prior to using her photographs!
2019.09.??: On 1/10/2021, Theresa Bielawski shared photos of 503 from her September, 2020 trip to Brooks Camp, #1, #2, #3, #4 (center), #5 (near), #6 and #7. Theresa commented "Trying to keep my pics grouped by year. These are from 2019. Will post other years later."
Please request Theresa Bielawski's permission prior to using her photographs!
_September,_2019_photo_by_%C2%A9Theresa_Bielawski_.04.jpg "503 (center) September, 2019 photo by ©Theresa Bielawski .04.jpg (907 KB)")
2019.09.11: 503 Cubadult returned to the Brooks River area for the fall season. Larinor observed 503 Cubadult and 812 greeting each other and has photographs from her trip to Brooks Camp. Lisa Robertson (aka Larinor) shared this 9/11/2019 photo of 503 on 6/5/2022. "I was fortunate to be on the falls platform on 9/11/19 when 503 returned to Brooks after his summer break from there. I think I was as excited to see him as 812 and 151 Walker were, although I didn't get to play with him like they did. Photo is my own." Lisa Robertson (aka Larinor) shared this 9/11/2019 photo of 503 (left) and 151 Walker (right) on 5/14 2023. "503 and 151 Walker. I miss the bromance and entertaining play sessions between these two!"
Please request Lisa Robertson's (aka Larinor) permission prior to using her photographs!
.jpg "503 September 11, 2019 photo by Lisa Robertson (aka Larinor).jpg (625 KB)")
_and_151_Walker_(right)_September_11,_2019_phoyo_by_Lisa_Robertson_(aka_Larinor)_.01.jpg "503 (left) and 151 Walker (right) September 11, 2019 phoyo by Lisa Robertson (aka Larinor) .01.jpg (1.23 MB)")
812 and 503 Cubadult reunite video by mckate.:
2019.09.13: Bonnie Hankins (aka NutsBoutBears) captured this photograph of 503 Cubadult on September 13, 2019 during her trip to Brooks Camp (p 10/22/2019 17:54 ). Bonnie Hankins also captured this photograph of 503 Cubadult (p 01/04/2020 08:05 ). Bonnie Hankins also captured this photograph of 503 (ID confirmed by Mike FItz ) (p 01/04/2020 09:30 ).: Bonnie Hankins captured this photo of 503 Cubadult (p 03/07/2020 10:00 ). Bonnie Hankins shared this 9/13/2019 photo of 503 on 3/28/2020. Bonnie Hankins shared this 9/13/2019 photo of 503 on the lip on 4/14/2020.
Please request Bonnie Hankins' (aka NutsBoutBears) permission prior to using her photographs!
.jpg "503 September 13, 2019 photo by Bonnie Hankins (aka NutsBoutBears).jpg (3.88 MB)")
_.01.jpg "503 September 13, 2019 photo by Bonnie Hankins (aka NutsBoutBears) .01.jpg (946 KB)")
2019.09.14: Bonnie Hankins (aka NutsBoutBears) shared this 9/14/2019 photo of 503 Cubadult on 5/1/2020. Bonnie Hankins (aka NutsBoutBears) shared this 9/14/2019 photo of 503 Cubadult on 5/16/2020. Bonnie Hankins shared this 9/14/2019 photo of 812 (left) and 503 (right) on 3/7/2021. "812 with big bro (503) - Sep 14, 2019."
Please request Bonnie Hankins' (aka NutsBoutBears) permission prior to using her photographs!
.jpg "503 September 14, 2019 photo by Bonnie Hankins (aka NutsBoutBears).jpg (4.12 MB)")
_.01.jpg "503 September 14, 2019 photo by Bonnie Hankins (aka NutsBoutBears) .01.jpg (4.82 MB)")
_and_503_(right)_September_14,_2019_photo_by_Bonnie_Hankins_(aka_NutsBoutBears).jpg "812 (left) and 503 (right) September 14, 2019 photo by Bonnie Hankins (aka NutsBoutBears).jpg (1.21 MB)")
2019.09.15: 68 and 503 Cubadult have an interaction that results in a play-fight during a remote play-by-play done by Explore Resident Naturalist, Mike Fitz. Cruiser captured this 68 & 503 Cubadult interaction along with Mike's commentary in this video .:
Cruiser also created this gif .:
Bonnie Hankins (aka NutsBoutBears) captured these photographs (#1 & #2 ) of 503 Cubadult (left) and 151 Walker (right) during her trip to Brooks Camp (p 10/20/19 08:11 ).: Bonnie Hankins (aka NutsBoutBears shared this 9/15/2019 photo of 503 Cubadult eating a fish in the jacuzzi on 5/4/2020.
Please request Bonnie Hankins (aka NutsBoutBears) permission prior to using her photographs!
.jpg "503 Cubadult September 15, 2019 photo by Bonnie Hankins (aka NutsBoutBears).jpg (4.76 MB)")
Scooch shared a paraphrase of a Buzza Motto and a 9/15/2019 photo of 503 Cubadult on 5/31/2020.
Please request Scooch's permission prior to using her photographs!
2019.09.16: Bonnie Hankins (aka NutsBoutBears) captured this photograph of 503 Cubadult (p 01/20/2020 14:22 ). Bonnie Hankins also captured this photograph of 503 Cubadult (p 01/20/2020 14:53 ). Bonnis Hankins cpatured these photographs (#1 & #2 ) of 503 Cubadult (p 01/23/2020 15:40 ). Bonnie Hankins (aka NutsBoutBears) also captured this photograph of 503 Cubadult (p 01/24/2020 15.35 ). Bonnie also captured this photograph of 503 (p 01/25/2020 09:46 ).:
Please request Bonnie Hankins' (aka NutsBoutBears) permission prior to using her photographs!
Scooch captured this photograph of 503 Cubadult on September 16, 2019 (p 01/28/2020 01:13 ). Scooch posted another 9/16/2019 photo of 503 Cubadult on 2/18/2020. Scooch posted this 9/16/2019 photo of 503 Cubadult (near) and 32 Chunk (far) on 5/31/2020.
Please request Scooch's permission prior to using her photographs!
_and_32_Chunk_(far)_September_16,_2019_photo_by_scooch.jpg "503 (near) and 32 Chunk (far) September 16, 2019 photo by scooch.jpg (2.15 MB)")
2019.09.17: 503 gets silly video by mckate.:
503 just wants to play, 9/17/2019 video by Lani H.
2019.09.18: 503 and 480 Otis eat peacefully in close quarters, video by mckate, 9/18/19.
Xander-Sage created this gif of 480 Otis fishing in close proximity to 503 Cubadult (p 01/26/2020 08:14 ).:
480 Otis sitting behind 503 video by Lani H.;
2019.09.19: 503 Cubadult wants 480 Otis to play video by Lani H.:
2019.09.27: Xander-Sage shared this snapshot of 503 Cubadult with 68 (p 01/25/2020 10:45 ). Xander-Sage created this gif of 503 Cubadult with 68 (p 01/25/2020 10.53 ).:
October 2019:[]
2019.10.03: 503 and 602 can be seen playing, 503 on the left and 602 on the right in this 10/3/2019 video by Birgitt. 820 is seen in the background against the wall.
2019.10.04: 480 Otis studiously ignores 503 Cubadult; until 503 shook just the tiniest amount of water on him. Don't splash Otis, even a little bit! Video by mckate.:
2019.10.05: 480 Otis grumbles at 503 Cubadult video by Lani H.:
2020: 7.5 Year-Old Adult Male[]
503 was included in the 2021 Bears of Brooks River book page 69.
2020 Season:[]
2020.??.??: Deanna Dittloff (aka deelynnd) created this 2020 season video of 503, "Keeping up with the brown bears 503 2020."
Stacey commented on July 3, 2020 at 06:59 re: 503 Cubadult is the Alexander Hamilton of Bears:
Hi, Everyone --
For anyone planning to watch "Hamilton: The Musical," premiering this weekend on Disney Plus, be sure to keep an eye out for parallels between the story of Alexander Hamilton, founding father, and 503 Cubadult -- the Alexander Hamilton of bears!
For example:
-- both lost their mothers at an early age
-- both were adopted
-- both fought hard to overcome early adversity -- and triumphed big time!!! ("he had to work a lot harder to get a lot smarter")
-- because of their difficult youth, both became "just like their country -- young, scrappy and hungry -- he's not throwing away his shot"
-- both were popular with the ladies ;-)
-- both had a moment that started a movement (Hamilton led the colonies to "rise up" against the king; 503 Cubadult led the subadults to start fishing the falls in August)
I'm sure there are others...
Enjoy! :-)
July 2020: []
2020.07.05: 503 Cubadult made his long awaited return to Brooks Camp on the evening of 7/5/2020 at approximately 9:50 pm AKDT. The crowd went wild! He first appeared near the spit area where an unknown sow with 1 spring cub promptly bluff charged him, video by Lani H.
After being bluff charged, 503 took a swim past his sister 719 and her 2 yearlings. 719 did not appear alarmed and there was no interaction between them. Note: 503 was adopted by 719's mother 435 Holly when he was a yearling and she was a spring cub, video by mckate.
503 was next seen with his long time play fighting partner 151 Walker who gently greeted him, video by Ratna Narayan.
Other videos from 7/5/2020.
Cheryl B video.
Video by Erum Chad.
Video by Birgitt.
Cam viewers captured snapshots of 503's return on 7/5/2020.
_.02.jpg "503 and unknown sow with 1 spring cub snapshot by Debbie (Bearz61) .02.jpg (107 KB)")
_is_greeted_by_151_Walker_(right)_July_5,_2020_snapshot_by_907AKSnow_.06.jpg "503 (left) is greeted by 151 Walker (right) July 5, 2020 snapshot by 907AKSnow .06.jpg (138 KB)")
2020.07.06: 503 Cubadult was seen in the early morning of 7/6/2020. Upon his arrival he jumped ino the jacuzzi which has become an annual event. He did not stay long and exited by the falls platform, video by Hey Princess.
7/6/2020 video by Cheryl B.
503 Cubadult and 89 Backpack briefly play, 7/6/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.07.07: 7/7/2020 Lani H video of 503 in the jacuzzi.
503 Cubadult greets 480 Otis, 7/7/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.07.08: 503 Cubadult, 151 Walker, 480 Otis and 775 Lefty all at the jacuzzi (at 04:45), 7/8/2020 video by Ratna Narayan.
2020.07.09: Cam viewers witnessed a pretty incredible sight on the evening of 7/9/2020. 402 was observed fishing the lip with her 2 sons, 812 and 503 Cubadult, video by mckate.
480 Otis kicks 503 Cubadult out of the J, 7/9/2020 video by mckate.
2020.07.10: Brothers 812 and 503 share the J, 7/10/2020 video by mckate.
2020.07.11: Close-up of 503 in the far pool, 7/11/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.07.12: 402 is seen climbing to the top of the falls where 151 Walker (left) and 503 Cubadult (right) are standing. They make way for her. 402 then heads to the lip where 812 yields so she can fish the lip, 7/12/2020 video by Birgitt.
2020.07.13: 503 Cubadult gets GRAZERED by 128 Grazer. DanteV2020 created this gif (p 07/13/2020 19:49 ).:
2020.07.15: Midnight fishing with 503 and 480 Otis, 7/15/2020 video by mckate.
2020.07.17: 503 and 820 playing in the grass, 7/17/2020 video by Birgitt.
2020.07.18: Brothers 812 and 503 play fighting, 7/18/2020 video by Ratna Narayan.
2020.07.19: A July evening at the falls, 7/19/2020 video by mckate. 503 can be seen fishing in the jacuzzi. "911 on the lip, 503 in the J, 807 behind 503, 775 Lefty next to the J, 856 by the chute, 480 Otis in the office, and 634 Popeye by the trail."
2020.07.21: 634 Popeye boots 503 from the far pool, 7/21/2020 video by mckate.
2020.07.22: 503 has a meet and greet with 913? and 911, 7/22/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.07.24: 503 in the jacuzzi, 911 on the lip, 151 Walker, 480 Otis and 18 in the far pool, 7/24/2020 video by Lani H.
503 in the jacuzzi, 911 on the lip 151 Walker, 480 Otis and 18 in the far pool 7 24 2020, video by Lani H
2020.07.25: 503 fishes in the office, 7/25/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.07.26: 503 jaws with 83 Wayne Brother, 7/26/2020 video by mckate.
2020.07.27: 32 Chunk comes down from the top of the falls to get 503 to play with him, 7/27/2020 video by Lani H.
32 Chunk comes down from the top of the falls to get 503 to play with him 7 27 2020, video by Lani H.
2020.07.29: 503 and 911 at the falls in the early morning, 7/29/2020 video by Ratna Narayan.
2020.07.30: 89 Backpack wrestles 503 and 801, 7/30/2020 video by mckate.
August 2020:[]
Seen on 8/1/2020 and 8/2/2020 but no videos or photos available.
September 2020:[]
2020.09.17: 503 returns to Brooks River, 9/17/2020 video by Lani H.
NSBoak (aka Ranger Naomi Boak) shared 9/17/2020 NPS photos of 503 on the day he returned. NSBoak shared 4 photos on 1/17/2021, #1, #2, #3 and #4.
Please request NSBoak's (aka Ranger Naomi Boak) permission prior to using her photographs!
_.01.jpg "503 September 17, 2020 NPS photo by NSBoak (aka Ranger Naomi Boak) .01.jpg (1.3 MB)")
_.02.jpg "503 September 17, 2020 NPS photo by NSBoak (aka Ranger Naomi Boak) .02.jpg (338 KB)")
_.03.jpg "503 September 17, 2020 NPS photo by NSBoak (aka Ranger Naomi Boak) .03.jpg (2.22 MB)")
_.04.jpg "503 September 17, 2020 NPS photo by NSBoak (aka Ranger Naomi Boak) .04.jpg (3.77 MB)")
503 and 151 Walker have a little kerfuffle, 9/17/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.09.18: 503 and 32 Chunk play, 9/18/2020 video by mckate.
2020.09.19: 503 on top of the falls, 9/19/2020 video by Hey Princess.
2020.09.21: 503 roaming around in the riffles, 9/21/2020 video by Hey Princess.
2020.09.22: 503 has no luck fishing the falls, 9/22/2020 video by Hey Princess.
2020.09.23: 151 Walker displaces 480 Otis out of the office, 503 arrives and goes to the hole. 9/23/2020 video by Hey Princess.
151 Walker displaces 480 Otis out of the office, 503 arrives and goes to the hole 09.23.20-3
Video by Hey Princess
2020.09.27: Hey Princess's video of her favorite bear, 9/27/2020. "A closer look at the best Katmai bear."
2020.09.29: 503 shows up to the falls and meets a little resistance from 151 Walker. 9/29/2020 video by Lani H.
503 roams around the riffles , 9/29/2020 video by Lani H.
October 2020:[]
2020.10.03: Closeup of 503 in the jacuzzi, 10/3/2020 video by Hey Princess.
2020.10.04: Brothers 503 and 812 in the far pool, 10/4/2020 video by Hey Princess.
2020.10.05: 503 fishes the jacuzzi, 10/5/2020 video by Lani H.
Brothers 812 (near) and 503 (far) fish together in the far pool, 10/5/2020 video by Lani H.
2020:10.17: 503 makes a quick pass through the falls, walking by 812, 10/17/2020 video by mckate.
Subadults see 503 and get out of his way, 10/17/2020 video by mckate.
2020.10.22: 503 fishes near 719 and her 2 yearlings and an eagle, 10/22/2020 video by Hey Princess.
2020.10.23: 503 visits the falls and tries the jacuzzi, 10/23/2020 video by Hey Princess.
2020.10.24: 503 (far) and 812 (near) in the far pool, 10/24/2020 video by Hey Princess.
503 roams the riffles looking for scraps, 10/24/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.10.25: 503 walks by the falls low cam, 10/25/2020 video by Lani H.
2020.10.26: 503 checks out his fishing spots at the falls, 10/26/2020 video by Hey Princess.
2020.10.28: 503 walks along the lower river, 10/28/2020 video by Hey Princess.
503 fishes the lower river, 10/28/2020 video by mckate.
2020.10.29: 719 spots 503 coming and moves to the bank with her yearlings, 10/29/2020 video by Hey Princess.
Late season 503 looking good, 10/29/2020 video by angerbodha.
2021: 8.5 Year-Old Adult Male[]
503 was included in the 2022 Bears of Brooks River book page 75.
2021 Season:[]
Deanna Dittloff (aka deelynnd) created this 2021 season video of 503, "Bear 503 Cubadult 2021."
June 2021:[]
2021.06.27-07.01: Melissa Freels shared a photo of 503 in chat on 7/2/2021. The photo was taken during her 6/27-7/1/2021 trip to Brooks Camp. "One more pic from my recent trip to Brooks ... 503 is sporting his typical June style this year. He always looks a little rough this time of year, but he is still handsome. We noticed that he was one of only a couple bears who 856 didn't try to chase away from the falls. The other was a small sub. Interesting ..."
Please request Melissa Freels' permission prior to using her photographs!
2021.06.28: 503 made his grand 2021 appearance on 6/28/2021, video by Hey Princess.
Later in the evening on 6/28/2021 an unknown bear scared 503 twice from the falls, video by JG.
Cruiser's 6/28/2021 video of 503's arrival.
2021.06.29: Close up of 503 on the BFL cam, 6/29/2021 video by JG.
2021.06.30: Brooks Camp visitor Bonnie Hankins (aka NutsBoutBears) captured two 6/30/2021 photos of 503 which she shared in chat on 7/4/2021 and 7/5/2021, #1 and #2.
Please request Bonnie Hankins' (aka NutsBoutBears) permission prior to using her photographs!
_.01.jpg "503 June 30, 2021 photo by Bonnie Hankins (aka NutsBoutBears) .01.jpg (1.61 MB)")
_.02.jpg "503 June 30, 2021 photo by Bonnie Hankis (aka NutsBoutBears) .02.jpg (778 KB)")
Truman Everts shared this 6/30/2021 photo of 503. "Cautious (and smart) 503 keeps an eye on 128 & her two yearling cubs, to make sure he doesn't commit a personal space faux pas." Truman Everts shared this 6/30/2021 photo of 503.
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
Hey Princess's 6/30/2021 video, 94 and 503, love me love me not. 94 shows an interest in 503 but 503 walks away. "I think 503 was contemplating on 94's hint."
July 2021:[]
2021.07.01: 503 makes shift rounds at the falls, 7/1/2021 video by Hey Princess.
2021.07.02: 812, 503 and 807 get reacquainted in this 7/2/2021 video by JG. In the beginning of the video, 812 (6 years old) is on the lip and greets his brother 503 (8 years old). 807 (7 years old) approaches from the far side of the upper falls. They all greet each other and nuzzle in a nonthreatening manner.
2021.07.03: 89 Backpack charges 503 and exchanges some words, 7/3/2021 video by flyer 4477.
2021.07.04: NWBearLove92 shared four 7/4/2021 photos of 503 with his half brother 812, #1, #2, #3 and #4. "503 (left) and 812 (right) greeted each other on top of falls. I thought this was a really sweet interaction between them. It’s also a good side by side comparison of their faces for those that may have a hard time telling them apart….Just love these two. 4 photos from 7/4/21." NWBearLove92 shared two 7/4/2021 photos of 503, #1 and #2. "Sharing 2 photos of 503…Closeup of his handsome face and a side view that shows how tall and lanky he looks early in the season. 7/4/21."
Pease request NWBearLove92's permission prior to using any of their photographs!
_and_812_(right)_July_4,_2021_photo_by_NWBearLove92_.01.jpg "503 (left) and 812 (right) July 4, 2021 photo by NWBearLove92 .01.jpg (977 KB)")
_and_812_(right)_July_4,_2021_photo_by_NWBearLove92_.02.jpg "503 (left) and 812 (right) July 4, 2021 photo by NWBearLove92 .02.jpg (895 KB)")
_and_812_(right)_July_4,_2021_photo_by_NWBearLove92_.03.jpg "503 (left) and 812 (right) July 4, 2021 photo by NWBearLove92 .03.jpg (1,015 KB)")
_and_812_(right)_July_4,_2021_photo_by_NWBearLove92_.04.jpg "503 (left) and 812 (right) July 4, 2021 photo by NWBearLove92 .04.jpg (1.02 MB)")
Mckate's 7/4/2021 video "Don't Bother Me Bro!" It often seems to annoy 812 when 503 comes up onto the lip.
2021.07.05: 89 Backpack charges 503 when 503 starts getting too close, 7/5/2021 video by flyer 4477.
Park visitor and cam viewer, Truman Everts captured this July 5, 2021 19:00 AKDT photograph of 503. Truman also captured this photograph of 503 Cubadult. Truman Everts shared this 7/5/2021 photo of 503. Truman Everts shared this 7/5/2021 photo of 503. Truman Everts shared this 7/5/2021 photo of 503. Truman Everts shared this 7/5/2021 photo of 503.
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
2021.07.06: Some changes in the hierarchy during the early 2021 has 856 being consistently displaced by 747....that change in the hierarchy provided a path to a sight that many cam viewers doubted they would ever see....856 fishing the riffles with his believed to be offspring, 503 Cubadult, especially in a season where the salmon are late to arrive and competition for food resources have bears jockeying for the best fishing spots. Flyer4477 (aka SteveCA) created this video.:
503 With 856 on 2021 07 06 Courtesy of Explore.org
503 Cubadult with 856 on July 6, 2021 by Flyer4477 (aka SteveCA)
Flyer 4477's 7/6/2021 video of half brothers 503 (near) and 812 (far) fishing the lip together.
NwBearLove92 captured this July 6, 2021 photograph of 503 in the jacuzzi.:
Please request NWBearLove92's permission prior to using any of their photographs!
2021.07.07: Truman Everts shared this 7/7/2021 photo of 503. Our little "Cubadult" (503) is becoming a grown up, before our very eyes. He's ready...but I'm not sure I am. Truman Everts shared this 7/7/2021 photo of 503. "503 helpfully opens his mouth, so the fish will know exactly where to jump." Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
503 is fishing the lip and does not want 812 to join him. They have a little spat and then 503 heads to the J. 812 takes the lip, 7/7/2021 video by Ratna Narayan.
2021.07.08: Brooks Camp visitor NWBearLove92 shared this 7/8/2021 photo of 503. "503 was really enjoying eating his yummy salmon in the jacuzzi on 7/8/21." NWBearLove92 shared a 7/8/2021 photo of 83 Wayne Brother (left) trying to pirate a fish from 503 (right). "He (83 Wayne Brother) was also looking very thin and tried to pirate some salmon from 503 on 7/8/21."
Please request NWBearLove92's permission prior to using any of their photographs!
_and_503_(right)_July_8,_2021_photo_by_NWBearLove92_.01.jpg "83 Wayne Brother (left) and 503 (right) July 8, 2021 photo by NWBearLove92 .01.jpg (1.01 MB)")
GA Bear's 7/8/2021 video, 634 Popeye fights 503 for a fish. "634 Popeye leaves the lip to try to steal a fish from 503. 503 continues to eat and ignores 634 until 634 is in his face. He drops the fish and fights off 634. 634 is able to pick up the floating fish. 503 maintains his spot in the Jacuzzi."
Truman Everts shared this 7/8/2021 photo of 503. "Here's a quick snapshot of fan favorite 503 a bit wary at the falls in early July."
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
2021.07.09: NWBearLove92 shared four 7/9/2021 photos of 503, #1, #2, #3 and #4. "503 made quick work of a large salmon in the J….His entourage was nearby politely waiting for some scraps. I can’t wait to see him again soon. Photos from 7/9/21. "503 made quick work of a large salmon in the J….His entourage was nearby politely waiting for some scraps. I can’t wait to see him again soon. Photos from 7/9/21." Please request NWBearLove92's permission prior to using any of their photographs!
503 rests on the island in this 7/9/2021 snapshot by Ylane.
2021.07.10: 719 goes in front of 503 in the jacuzzi, 7/10/2021 video by Hey Princess.
2021.07.11: 503 joins his mom 402 on the lip, 7/11/2021 video by mckate. "402 chastised him for interrupting her fishing. I'd like to think it was also for behaving inappropriately, but they are bears after all. It's hard to imagine her allowing any other boar to approach her on the lip like that, so she must recognize their relationship? "
2021.07.12: 503 high grades in the jacuzzi, 7/12/2021 video by mckate. " I saw him walking up from the riffles and knew that the scavenging bears were soon going to eat well. Sure enough, he started producing scraps left and right and the falls fell quiet as everyone ate. I love this bear!"
2021.07.13: Daniel Spaargaren's 7/13/2021 video. 821 is fishing the jacuzzi, 89 Backpack is on the conveyer, 610 is seen at 0:28. 610 runs off when 503 arrives at 1:48.
2021-07-13 Katmai National Park Brooks Falls Brown Bear-2
821, 89 Backpack, 610 and 503, July 13, 2021 video by Daniel Spaargaren
2021.07.14: There is a lot of action in this 7/14/2021 video by Daniel Spaargaren. 128 Grazer and her 2 yearlings are fishing the lip. 503 is on the left with 20 sitting/fishing below. 505 is moving about at the top of the falls. At 1:39, 708 Amelia's dark cub can be seen running to the left. We then see 284 "Amelia: (708's daughter) with her 2 yearlings on the right. At 1:58, 708 Amelia is seen with both her 2.5 year old cubs.
503 walks the cranky sow gauntlet, 7/14/2021 video by mckate. "They don't come much crankier than 39 and 284. If only 854 and 128 had been there too! You can just feel his relief as he finally eases past and jumps in the J."
2021.07.15: Cheryl B's 7/15/2021 video of 503 successfully fishing in the office.
2021.07.16: 128 Grazer (left) gives 503 (middle) the boot from the lip, 7/16/2021 gif by LunaCre.
2021.07.17: 503 Cubadult (402's 2013 biological offspring) expresses interest in 402 on the lip with 747 below Brooks Falls. 747 has been courting 402 recently. Flyer 4477 (aka SteveCA) created this video.:
402-503-747 on 2021 07 17 Courtesy of Explore.org
503 expresses interest in 402 (503's biological mother), 747 does not approve July 17, 2021 video by Flyer 4477 (aka SteveCA)
2021.07.18: 634 Popeye backs off 503, 7/18/2021 video by JG.
2021.07.19: The night shift at Boar Alley: everyone was eating well (from left to right: 503, 856, 83 Wayne Brother, 820 front, 147 back), 7/19/2021 gif by LunaCre.
2021.07.20: JG's 7/20/2021 video, 32 Chunk and 503 have a friendly meet up.
2021.07.21: 503 takes his fish to go, 7/21/2021 gif by LunaCre.
2021.07.22: 801 sits behind 503 in the far pool, 7/22/2021 video by Flyer 4477.
2021.07.23: 503 greets 146, 7/23/2021 video by mckate. "She just wanted to catch her breakfast and eventually left to fish the far pool."
2021.07.24: Ranger Naomi Boak shared two 7/24/2021 photos of 89 Backpack and 503 play fighting in chat on 7/24/2021, #1 and #2."I went to the falls to remove "Ralph" from the falls high cam and what did I see? 89 Backpack playing with 503. I have never seen them play together, but they are both such social bears."
Please request NSBoak's (aka Ranger Naomi Boak) permission prior to using her photographs!
_and_503_(right)_July_24,_2021_NPS_photo_by_Ranger_Naomi_Boak_(aka_NSBoak)_.01.jpg "89 Backpack (left) and 503 (right) July 24, 2021 NPS photo by Ranger Naomi Boak (aka NSBoak) .01.jpg (2.61 MB)")
_and_503_(right)_July_24,_2021_NPS_photo_by_Ranger_Naomi_Boak_(aka_NSBoak)_.02.jpg "89 Backpack (left) and 503 (right) July 24, 2021 NPS photo by Ranger Naomi Boak (aka NSBoak) .02.jpg (2.55 MB)")
503 fishes the office while 856 is on the conveyer, 7/24/2021 gif by Martina.
2021.07.25: Flyer 4477's 7/25/2021 video, 503 (left) and 812 (right) engage in some bear wrestling.
2021.07.26: 480 Otis and 503 work out a compromise, 7/26/2021 video by mckate. "Otis went right to the J upon his arrival and caught a few fish, then 503 wanted possession. 503 won this round, then Otis remembered their old arrangement, which may have been what 503 had in mind. He started catching fish left and right and eating mostly just the brains and letting his leftovers drift back. Otis must have devoured seven or eight nearly intact fish. He was ravenous!"
2021.07.27: 503 (left) and 83 Wayne Brother fish side-by-side, 7/27/2021 gif by LunaCre.
2021.07.28 or prior: Park visitor loriannah's 7/28/2021 or prior Instagram photo of 503.
Hey Princess's 7/28/2021 video of 503 fishing the office.
2021.07.29: 503, 7/29/2021 snapshot by cathy73.
2021.07.30: Flyer 4477's 7/30/2021 video, 503 leaves the J after 480 Otis arrives.
2021.07.31: 503 fishes the lip, 7/31/2021 gif by LunaCre.
August 2021:[]
2021.08.01: Brothers 503 (L) and 812 (R) always find time to play, 8/1/2021 gif by LunaCre.
2021.08.02: 503 (far) and 856 (near) fish the far pool, 8/2/2021 video by Hey Princess.
2021.08.03: 32 Chunk and 503 play a little, 8/3/2021 video by JG.
September 2021:[]
2021.09.04: 503 is back after a 1 month absence, 9/4/2021 video by JG.
812 greets 503, 9/4/2021 video by mckate. "He seemed so delighted to see his big brother. I hope that when 503 is feeling well fed that that he'll play with him a little."
A little playtime for 503 and 812 (32 and 856) in the background, 9/4/2021 video by Buddy's Mom.
A little playtime for 503 and 812 (32 and 856) in the background. Explore.org. 9-4-21
Video by Buddy's Mom
Ronald Woan's 9/4/2021 photos of 503, #1 and #2. Ronald Woan's 9/4/2021 photos of 503, 812 and 903 (lip) left to right, #1 and #2.
2021.09.05: Ronald Woan's 9/5/2021 photos of 503, #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5.
503 and 820 play, 9/5/2021 video by JG.
2021.09.06: Weary of being pirated and begged from, 503 takes his salmon to go, 9/6/2021 gif by LunaCre.
2021.09.07: 503 shows some aggression towards 910, 9/7/2021 video by Hey Princess. "I think 909 and cub were the bears that also ran away with 910."
2021.09.08: 164 watches 503 catch and devour a big fish, 9/8/2021 video by Cheryl B.
202109.09: 806 backs away 503, 9/9/2021 video by JG.
2021.09.09-09.14: Theresa Bielawski shared six 9/9-9/14/2021 photos of 503, #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 and #6. "Here are some pics of 503 from September 2021. Pictures from a couple different days."
Please request Theresa Bielawski's permission prior to using her photographs!
2021.09.10: A close look at 503 in the jacuzzi, 9/10/2021 video by JG.
2021.09.11: 503 fishes the jacuzzi, 9/11/2021 video by 907AKsnow.
503 and 812 argue over who takes the jacuzzi, 9/11/2021 video by Hey Princess.
Cam viewer and Brooks Camp visitor Virginia Freese (aka Gin907) captured 9/11/2021 video of an "Unusually grumpy 503 and 812 in the J." 503 (left) and 812 (right).
856 confronts 503 above the falls, 9/11/2021 video by JG.
2021.09.12: 151 Walker reprimands 812 who reprimanded 503 for his fish, 9/12/2021 video by Hey Princess.
151 Walker reprimands 812 who reprimanded 503 for his fish Explore.org 09.12.21
Video by Hey Princess
2021.09.13: 9/13/2021 video by Hey Princess, 503 in his fishing hole.
2021.09.14: A nice close up of 503, 9/14/2021 video by Cheryl B.
2021.09.15: 151 Walker steals 503's fish, 9/15/2021 video by Hey Princess.
2021.09.16: KingOTIS shared five 9/16/2021 photos of 503 on 6/5/2022, #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5 with 480 Otis on the right.
Please request KingOTIS' permission prior to using their photographs!
_and_480_Otis_(right)_September_16,_2021_photo_by_KingOTIS_.01.jpg "503 (left) and 480 Otis (right) September 16, 2021 photo by KingOTIS .01.jpg (425 KB)")
Cheryl B's 9/16/2021 video of 903 in the hole.
2021.09.17: Sleepy 775 Lefty and silly 503 on the lip of the falls, video by Hey Princess.
2021.09.25: 503 is seen visiting the falls on the low cam, 9/25/2021 video by Hey Princess.
2021.09.26: Buddy's Mom 9/26/2021 video, 812 tries hard to get 503 to play, but no luck.
2021.09.27: 602 avoids conflict with 503, 9/27/2021 video by Hey Princess.
2021.09.28: 503 below the falls cam, 9/28/2021 gif by LunaCre.
2021.09.29: Hey Princess's 9/29/2021 video, 503 joins 480 Otis and 812 in the far pool.
October 2021:[]
2021.10.02: 503 makes a brief stop at the falls, 10/2/2021 video by Hey Princess.
2021.10.06: Close up view of 503, video by JG.
2021.10.07: 503 eats his catch in the J, 10/7/2021 gif by LunaCre.
2021 10.08: 503 (left) and 602 (right) stayed away from the crowded far pool to fish in peace, 10/8/2021 gif by LunaCre.
2021.10.09: 503 ain't having 89's encroachment, 10/9/2021 video by JG.
2021.10.10: Mckate's 10/10/2021 video, 503 checks in. "Good to see him up out of the water during daylight hours if only for a minute."
2021.10.23: Is this 503 visiting the falls before dawn in infrared light? 10/23/2021 video by Hey Princess. If this was 503, it was the last date he was seen in 2021.
2022: 9.5 Year-Old Adult Male[]
2022 Season:[]
Deanna Dittloff (aka deelynnd) created this 2022 season video of 503, "Bear 503 2022."
June 2022:[]
2022.06.30: 503 was first observed on 6/30/2022, video by Cruiser. In low light, 503 made a dramatic entrance strolling up from the riffles and then sliding into the Jacuzzi.
Truman Evert's 6/30/2022 photo of 503. "503 gives a cute little shake..." 503, 6/30/2022 photo by Truman Everts. "Watching sweet youngster 503 gradually become a boar, year after year, is inspiring...though I wish he'd welcome me each summer with a few less new marks..." Truman Evert's 6/30/2022 photo of 503. "Here is another fan favorite, 503, just casually looking around the jacuzzi, to make sure no one is sneaking up on him." Truman Evert's 6/30/2022 photo of 503. "503--adopted son of Saint 435...a nice close-up portrait of a dear young boar." Truman's 6/30/2022 photo of 503. " 503, absurdly up close & ursinal!"
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
Betsy Bear also captured a 6/30/2022 photo of 503 on the first day he was seen.
Please request BetsyBear's permission prior to using her photographs!
503 almost loses breakfast and then cowboy walks past 801, 6/30/2022 video by Jen Schneider.
503 almost loses breakfast & cowboy walks past 801 Brooks Falls came Explore.org 6-30-2022-3
Video by Jen Schneider
856 confronts 503 on 6/30/2022, video by JG with high and low views.
July 2022:[]
503 appears on the list of Bears Monitored in July 2022.
2022.07.01: 480 Otis confronts 775 Lefty, vaults a tree and runs at 503, 7/1/2022 video by JG.
2022.07.02: Betsy Bear's 7/2/2022 photos of 503, #1 and #2.
Please request BetsyBear's permission prior to using her photographs!
_July_2,_2022_photo_by_BetsyBear_.01.jpeg "503 (left) July 2, 2022 photo by BetsyBear .01.jpeg (198 KB)")
503 has been in a few scuffles as evidenced by his multiple small scars, 7/2/2022 video by Cheryl B. He takes a rest below the platform.
2022.07.03: Betsy Bear's 7/3/2022 photo of 503 with 480 Otis and photo of 503.
Please request BetsyBear's permission prior to using her photographs!
_and_480_Otis_(right)_July_3,_2022_photo_by_Betsy_Bear_.01.jpeg "503 (left) and 480 Otis (right) July 3, 2022 photo by Betsy Bear .01.jpeg (196 KB)")
503 enjoys his fish, 7/3/2022 video by Jen Schneider.
2022.07.04: 503 makes an effortless catch on the conveyer, July 4, 2022 gif by LunaCre.
2022.07.05: Truman Everts 7/5/2022 photo of 503. Truman Evert's 7/5/2022 photo of 503. "Like everyone else, I'm delighted at the return of 503, though, honestly, I barely recognize him." Truman's 7/5/2022 photo of 503.
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
2022.07.07: NWBearLove92's 7/7/2022 photo of 503. "503 is such a big handsome boar. 7/7/22."
Please request Amy's (aka NWBEARLOVE92) permission prior to using any of her photographs!
503 jumps 399, 7/7/2022 video by mckate. "He just wanted to eat in peace and tried to warn him off. All those wrestling lessons 151 gave him as a sub have paid off"
After an altercation with 399, 503's mood improved considerably after he saw beautiful 171 and decided to follow her, 7/7/2022 gif by LunaCre.
503 blocks 32 from the J, later they fight over his catch, 7/7/2022 video by JG.
2022.07.08: Amy (NWBEARLOVE92) shared a 7/8/2022 photo of 503 on 5/14/2023. "Happy 503 today! I didn’t see him very much in person in 2022 but, here’s a photo of him in the river from 7/8/22."
Please request Amy's (aka NWBEARLOVE92) permission prior to using any of her photographs!
_.01.jpg "503 July 8, 2022 photo by Amy (NWBEARLOVE92) .01.jpg (1.24 MB)")
2022.07.09: 503 continues to show interest in 171, 7/9/2022 gif by LunaCre.
Encounters between 503 and 153?, 7/9/2022 video by JG.
2022:07.11: 503 high grading many salmon, 7/11/2022 video by JG.
2022.07.12: This lady bear is not impressed with 503's advances, 7/12/2022 gif by LunaCre.
2022.07.13: 503 still draws a crowd, 7/13/2022 video by mckate.
2022.07.14: 151 Walker (near) and 503 (office) both catch fish, 7/14/2022 video by Jen Schneider.
2022.07.16: 503 fishes the J, 7/16/2022 video by Hey Princess.
2022.07.17: A good look at 503 on what is left of the island, 7/17/2022 video by Hey Princess.
2022.07.19: 99 objects to 503 approaching the Jacuzzi area (2:44), 7/19/2022 video by Flyer 4477. 503 wins that argument then gets a butt bite from 634 Popeye. Flyer added a funny sound effect at 2:58, volume up.
2022.07.20: 503 scares off some young bears, 7/20/2022 gif by LunaCre.
2022.07.21: 503 attempts a play fight with 807, 7/21/2022 video by Hey Princess.
2022.07.22: 503 and 480 Otis observe 747 fishing technique in the jacuzzi, 7/22/2022 gif by LunaCre.
2022.07.24: 503 wants to be a dad but she (361) wants to fish, 7/24/2022 video by Jen Schneider.
503 wants to be a dad, but she just wants to fish -) Brooks Falls cam Explore.org 7-24-2022-2
Video by Jen Schneider
September 2022:[]
503 appears on the list of Bears Monitored in September 2022.
Note: The bear cams were offline from 9/11-9/17/2022 (part of the day).
2022.09.10: 503 returns after a 7 week absence. He is seen in his favorite spot in the jacuzzi, 9/10/2022 video by JG.
2022.09.11: Angerbodha's two 9/11/2022 photos of 503, #1 and #2.
Please request angrboda's permission prior to using her photographs!
2022.09.14: Olatz Azcona Munárriz shared a 9/14/2022 photo of 503 on 12/23/2022. "I had to wait for my second day trip to Brooks River to see the Prince, 503. He was fishing in the far pool when I arrived at the falls in the late morning. I remember seeing him making at least a couple of catches there. He later moved to the hole and spent some time in this spot." Olatz shared a 9/14/2022 photo of 503 on 2/8/2023. Olatz's 9/13/2022 photo of 503 (left) and 480 Otis (right) sharing the far pool , shared by Olatz on 3/3/2023. "503 was able to make a few catches, yet 480 Otis was not so lucky, and looked uncomfortable having to share space in his favorite spot." Olatz shared a 9/14/2022 photo of 503 on 3/10/2023. Olatz shared a 9/14/2022 photo of 503 on 4/19/2023. "503 on his way to the Jacuzzi, after spending some time in the hole the late morning of my second day trip to Brooks River. He was sharing space in the far pool with 480 Otis when I made it to the platform, and returned to the Zen Master´s side after his short visit to the J." Olatz shared a 9/14/2022 photo of 503 on 5/5/2023. Olatz shared two 9/14/2022 photos of 503 on 514/2023, #1 and #2.
Please request Olatz Azcona Munárriz's (aka Olatz) permission prior to using their photographs!
_and_480_Otis_(right)_September_14,_2022_photo_by_Olatz_Azcona_Mun%C3%A1rriz_.01.jpg "503 (left) and 480 Otis (right) September 14, 2022 photo by Olatz Azcona Munárriz .01.jpg (3.67 MB)")
Lisa Robertson shared a 9/14/2022 photo of 503 on 5/14/2023. "The adorable 503. Photo was taken by me on 9/14/22."
Please request Lisa Robertson's (aka Larinor) permission prior to using her photographs!
_.01.jpg "503 September 14, 2022 photo by Lisa Robertson (aka Larinor) .01.jpg (680 KB)")
2022.09.15: Melissa Freels' 9/15/2022 photo of 503 and 99 having words. Please request Melissa Freel's permission prior to using her photographs!
_and_99_(right)_September_15,_2022_photo_by_Melissa_Freels_.01.jpeg "503 (left) and 99 (right) September 15, 2022 photo by Melissa Freels .01.jpeg (164 KB)")
2022.09.16: Olatz Azcona Munárriz shared two 9/16/2022 photos of 503 on 4/2/2022, #1 and #2. Olatz shared a 9/16/2022 photo of 503 on 5/14/2022.
Please request Olatz Azcona Munárriz's (aka Olatz) permission prior to using their photographs!
2022.09.17: Olatz Azcona Munárriz shared a 9/17/2022 photo of 503 with 820 on 1/20/2023. "503 and 820 were playing by the Jacuzzi when I made it to the falls for the last time, the afternoon of my last day trip to Brooks River." Olatz shared a 9/17/2022 photo of 503 on 3/29/2023. Olatz shared a 9/17/2022 photo of 503 on 5/14/2023.
Please request Olatz Azcona Munárriz's (aka Olatz) permission prior to using their photographs!
_and_820_(right)_September_17,_2022_photo_by_Olatz_Azcona_Mun%C3%A1rriz_.01.jpg "503 (left) and 820 (right) September 17, 2022 photo by Olatz Azcona Munárriz .01.jpg (5.55 MB)")
503 (back left) in the hole is seen fishing with 913 and 99 who have returned, 9/17/2022 video by mckate.
2022.09.18: A long look at 503 on 9/18/2022, video by JG.
2022.09.19: A closer look at 503 in the hole, 9/19/2022 video by Hey Princess.
2022.09.20: 503 (left) and 99 (right) sit through the strong water current, 9/20/022 video by Hey Princess.
2022.09.21: 503 makes a great catch in the J, 9/21/2022 gif by LunaCre.
2022.09.23: 503 makes a catch in the hole, 9/23/2022 video by Ssunny.Y. He walks past 856 and takes his fish above the falls to eat alone.
-9-23-2022- 503 "He wants to eat alone in above the falls" (Brooks Falls Bears explore.org)
Video by Ssunny.Y
2022.09.24: 99 is not happy to see 503, 9/24/2022 video by JG.
2022.09.25: 503 shows up for the evening shift, 9/25/2022 video by twelve22.
2022.09.27: 503 arrives and takes over the office, 9/27/2022 video by twelve22. 821 leaves, 99 backs up and 480 Otis quickly yields to 503.
2022.09.29: 503 in the office yawning in the early morning, 9/29/2022 video by Ssunny.Y.
2022.09.30: 503 in the J, 9/30/2022 video by JG.
October 2022:[]
2022.10.21: 503 made a late season visit to Brooks Falls on 10/21/2022, video by twelve22. He had not been observed for a month.
2023: 10.5 Year-Old Adult Male[]
September 2023:[]
2023.09.19: 503 finally came H♥ME! 503 altered his typical behaviors this season. 503 is a bear that was raised using the Brooks River in both early season and the fall. This year, 503 did not return during the spring/summer as he has since his birth in 2013. Park visitors and cam viewers were concerned that this beloved bear was MIA. We will likely never know where 503 made his living in early season 2023, but he must have found abundant food resources where ever he was because he returned as a healthy rotund large younger boar.
Scooch (Mister) created three gifs of 503's return to the Brooks River for the 2023 season. All three files are too large to upload. The 1st gif is of 503 making his way upriver, please click here to view Mister's 1st gif. The 2nd gif is of 503 making his way across the island heading for the jacuzzi, please click here to view Mister's 2nd gif. The 3rd gif is of 503 in the jacuzzi, please click here to view Mister's 3rd gif. (p 20:39)
Bearoplane_747 created this gif of 503 sitting in his hole in the conveyor (p 21:16). LeafyHyrax created this gif of 503 (p 20:36). Blair-55 created this series of gifs (#1, #2, #3, #4 & #5) of 503's return to the Brooks River for the 2023 season (p 09/20/2023 04:08). Cruiser created this series of gifs (#1, #2 & #3) of 503's return (p 09/20/23 05:11). Ileana_explores created this series of gifs (#1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11 & #12) documenting 503's return (p 09/20/2023 06:35).:
mckate captured this video of 503's return for the 2023 season:
(AllieW aka SarahBear captured this video of 503 returning) & (JG captured this video of 503's long awaited return)
19 Sep 2023- 503 Arrives! (explore.org)
video by mckate
2023.09.20: 503 Cubadult returned to the falls for a second day at approximately 16:00 AKDT on September 20, 2023. Cam viewers created these gifs: tzusruled created this gif of 503 arriving (p 16:53). Cruiser created this gif of 503 moseying along after not getting much action (p 16:55). Cruiser created this gif of 503 in the office (p 18:55). Blair-55 created this gif of 503 licking his lips; a behavior that is also often observed in dominant boars like 814 Lurch and 856 (p 18:58). Cruiser created this gif of 503 licking his lips (p 19:40). Bearoplane_747 created these gifs (#1 & #2) of 503 (p 20:46). Blair-55 created these gifs (#1 in office & #2 above falls) of 503 licking his lips (p 09/21/23 04:39).:
Lip licking is a behavior often observed in dominant boars like 814 Lurch and 856.
503 quickly checks various spots at the falls in this video by mckate:
20 Sep 2023- 503 Quickly Checks Various Falls Spots (explore.org)
video by mckate
503 keeps an eye on 32 Chunk in this video mckate captured. 32 was also watching 503, but 32 didn't leave the office and patrol the falls until 503 was down well past the riffles.:
20 Sep 2023- 503 Keeps an Eye on 32 (explore.org)
video by mckate
503 gets his close-up in mckate's video:
20 Sep 2023- 503 Gets His Closeup (explore.org)
video by mckate
503 moves down the riffles in this video captured by mckate:
20 Sep 2023- 503 Moves Down the Riffles (explore.org)
video by mckate
32 Chunk finally vacated the office giving 503 his turn to report to the office in this video mckate captured:
20 Sep 2023- 503 Gets His Turn in the Office (explore.org)
video by mckate
mckate captured this video of 747's mere movement displacing 503 from the far pool:
20 Sep 2023- 747 Moves 503 Out of the Far Pool (explore.org)
video by mckate
503 moves back to the hole in mckate's video. Maybe 503 thought this was a safer spot from 747. 503 did catch at least one fish here.:
20 Sep 2023- 503 Moves Back to the Hole (explore.org)
video by mckate
2023.09.21: Merry_Mermaid created this gif of 503 Cubadult below the falls (p 20:35). Bearoplane_747 created this gif of 503 below the falls (p 21:35). LunaCre created this gif of 503 licking his lips above the falls (p 09/25/23 11:54). LunaCre created these gifs (#1, #2 & #3) of one of the interactions between 503 Cubadult and 32 Chunk (p 09/22/23 15:17).:
32 Chunk takes exception to 503 Cubadult at the falls in this video captured by Cruiser:
32 Chunk takes exception to 503 at the the Falls. BF 21Sep23 explore.org
video by Cruiser
32 Chunk makes two attempts to eject 503 Cubadult from the falls and fails. 503 Cubadult knows that 32 does not have the attention span for these games of cat and mouse. mckate captured their interactions in this video.:
(JG captured this video of 503 circling around 32 Chunks two intimidation attempts)
21 Sep 2023- 32 Makes Two Attempts to Eject 503 from Falls (explore.org)
video by mckate
During the September 26, 2023 play-by-play (@ approx 1:03:00 -1:05:00), Resident Naturalist Mike Fitz, discusses the September 21, 2023 interaction between 503 Cubadult and 32 Chunk.:
503 Cubadult left the falls just prior to 20:44 AKDT.
Some cam viewers believe they observed 503 Cubadult in the lower river shortly after he left the falls. mamabear66 captured this snapshot (p 20:55) Chantell captured this snapshot (p 20:55 #1) and this snapshot (p 20:55 #2).:
KNP&P's bear monitor, Ranger Tammy Carmack, has been keeping an eye out for 503 Cubadult, unfortunately as of Sunday, September 24, 2023 at 10:25 AKDT, Ranger Tammy still has not observed 503 during official bear monitoring sessions or when out and about at Brooks Camp. Paws crossed 503 shows up for Ranger Tammy three times (or more) before Ranger Tammy completes her bear monitoring for the 2023 falls season so 503 can be included in the official bears observed list.
October 2023:[]
2023.10.06: 503 at the falls gif created by FernW (p 10/07/2023 07:21).:
503 pops into the office in this video mckate captured. He seemed like he might be on the lookout for other bears, most likely 32 Chunk who kept trying to run him out last time he was around.:
6 Oct 2023- 503 Pops into the Office (explore.org)
video by mckate
How 503 Cubadult Got His Name:[]
The name came about in 2014 when he was an abandoned yearling. Staff at Brooks Camp needed something succinct to refer to him since he was around so much. Ranger Mike Fitz thinks Ranger Roy came up with the nickname. On May 12, 2017 Mike Fitz said: "Seriously though, I'd be hesitant to change that nickname because it is directly related to his story, unlike many other nicknames which are strange or cutesy and aren't related to their life history (Otis, Grazer, Tundra, Arctic, etc.)."
503 Cubadult Fun Facts:[]
- 503 Cubadult was the first documented adoption in the Bears of Brooks River bear population
- 503 Cubadult was dubbed "Bearishnikov" by cam viewers because he would dance in the jacuzzi and float on his back with his paws in the air
- 503 Cubadult was often observed appearing to allow other subadult bears to share in his successful fishing rewards
Known Courting & Mating:[]
2017:[]
719 Mating, 2017 Season:[]
503 Cubadult was observed mating with 719 (435's biological 2014 offspring / 503's 2014 adopted sibling).
2019:[]
900 Mating, July 18, 2019:[]
503 Cubadult was recorded mating with 900 on July 18, 2019 by Howard & Linda.. They also captured these photographs of the mating couple: #1 , #2 , #3 & #4
503 Cubadult mating with 900, 747 finally notices then follows 900 around the falls video by Lani H.:
900 Mating, July 26, 2019:[]
503 Cubadult was observed mating with 900 on July 26, 2019 but was interrupted by 747:
Video by Cruiser:
2021:[]
July 2021:[]
2021.07.05: Mike Fitz commented in chat on 7/6/2021 that "171 copulated with 503 last evening."
2022:[]
July 2022:[]
2022.07.07: After an altercation with 399, 503's mood improved considerably after he saw beautiful 171 and decided to follow her, 7/7/2022 gif by LunaCre.
2022.07.09: 503 continues to show interest in 171, 7/9/2022 gif by LunaCre.
2022.07.24: 503 wants to be a dad but she (361) wants to fish, 7/24/2022 video by Jen Schneider.
503 wants to be a dad, but she just wants to fish -) Brooks Falls cam Explore.org 7-24-2022-2
Video by Jen Schneider
Known Relatives:[]
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503's Mothers:
2013 Biological Mother: 402
2014 Adopted Mother: 435 Holly
503, Who's Your Daddy?
Since 2013 cam viewers have speculated that 856 is 503 Cubadult's father. Over the years some circumstantial photographic evidence has surfaced to support those beliefs:
856 July 2014 vs 503 Cubadult September 2016:
In July 2014, park visitor and cam viewer, LisaTN captured this photo of 856. In September 2016, LisaTN captured this photo of 503 Cubadult . Compare the two photos and see what you think.
September 2017 503 vs 856:
On September 7, 2017 park visitor and cam viewer, Melissa Freels (aka MelissaInOR) captured this photo of 503 . On September 17, 2017, park visitor and cam viewer, Lee (aka RiverPA) captured this photo of 856 . Compare the two photos and see what you think.
As of the end of the 2017 season, 856 has managed to evade Ranger Michael Saxton and his darts for the genetics study. Bearcam viewer's paws are crossed that Ranger Michael Saxton takes another shot at 856 in 2018!
Littermates:
Biological: 2 Biological Littermates
503 Cubadult was one of three spring cubs from 402's 2013 litter. If 503's two littermates survived, their identity is not known to us.
Adopted: 1 Adopted Littermate, 719
Genetics Study Samples Obtained:[]
2016: Successfully Darted by Ranger Michael Saxton[]
503 Cubadult was successfully darted by Ranger Michael Saxton in 2016 (prior to October 18, 2016)
2017:[]
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2018:[]
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503 Cubadult Inspired Artwork:[]
Below is a gallery of 503 Cubadult inspired artwork:
CarolineB created these pieces (#1, #2, #3, #4 & #5) inspired by 503 Cubadult (p 01/09/2021 22:50). Truman Everts captured the June 26, 2017 photograph of 503 Cubadult that CarolineB created her artwork from. The 2nd piece of artwork that CarolineB shared below is actually painted on the gate at her residence. . :
