409 9/27/16
Adult Female ~ No Longer Seen
Year First Identified: 1999 as a subadult
Last Year Identified: 2018
Offspring Of: Unknown
Known Litters of Cubs: 4
Genetics Study Samples Obtained: 409 Beadnose was successfully sampled in 2005 or 2006 when a hair sample was obtained by former wildlife biologist Tamara Olson. 409 Beadnose was successfully darted by Ranger Michael Saxton in both 2016 and 2017.
Identification:[]
2014 & 2015 Bears of Brooks River books: 409 has a long, straight muzzle with a slightly upturned nose and a medium-large body. She has a light to medium-brown coat with wide-set, blonde ears. She is often confused with bear #408, especially in September and October. From 2009-2011, #409 was single and this may be a major reason why #409 has grown into one of the fattest females to be seen in the fall. Her size can easily be compared with females caring for cubs. Raising offspring is very energetically taxing for bears. Females with offspring must sacrifice body fat to raise cubs. #409, in recent years, has been able to devote more energy to her own survival as her overall size indicates.
2016 - 2018 Bears of Brooks River books: 409 has a long, straight muzzle with a slightly upturned nose and a medium to large body. She has a light to medium brown coat with wide-set, blond ears. In the fall, she is often very fat and her coat is a uniform brown, but her ears remain very blond. When she is not raising cubs, this bear is usually one of the fattest females in the fall. In those years, her size can easily be compared with females caring for cubs. Raising offspring is very energetically taxing for bears. Females with offspring must sacrifice body fat to raise cubs. #409, in recent years, has been able to devote more energy to her own survival as her overall size indicates
2017 Observations: 409 Beadnose appeared to have a broken claw on her right front paw. Truman Everts captured this in his June 24, 2017 20:51 photograph. See the photograph below in the Life History section for that date.
Distinctive Behaviors:[]
2014 Bears of Brooks River book: 409 is frequently seen along Brooks River. Like 410, 409 appears habituated to the presence of humans and will use areas near people to rest, travel and feed.
2015 Bears of Brooks River book: 409 is frequently seen along Brooks River in July and in the fall.
2016 Bears of Brooks River book: At Brooks River, she can fish successfully in many places such as the lip and far pool at Brooks Falls as well as the river mouth.
Life History:[]
1999: Subadult, 1st Year Classified[]
409 Beadnose was initially classified as an independent subadult in 1999.
2001: Young Adult Female (Borderline Subadult due to Behavior)[]
409 Beadnose was classified as a young adult female, borderline subadult due to behavior in 2001 per Ranger Jeanne's July 28, 2017 11:28 comment .
2002: Adult Female[]
July 2002:[]
October 2002:[]
2004: Adult Female with 1 Spring Cub, 1st Known Litter, The Original "Velcro"[]
409 Beadnose returned to the Brooks River with her 1st known litter, 1 spring cub. She could be seen with the cub latched onto her back as she swam across the river, and for that reason, this cub was dubbed "Velcro"...the original "Velcro". Velcro was also described as "very clingly" in bear monitoring data per Ranger Jeanne's July 28, 2017 11:28 comment .:
2005: Adult Female with 1 Very Large Yearling Cub. The Original "Velcro"[]
409 Beadnose returned to Brooks River with her yearling cub, "Velcro" from her 2004 litter. The bear monitoring data states that this yearling was very large and engaged in long play bouts with 409 per Ranger Jeanne's July 2, 2018 comment.
June 2005:[]
2005.06.25: Don Abernathy captured this photo of 409 and Velcro .
July 2005:[]
2005.07.14:
Could this be 409 Beadnose with her yearling captured by Mullenphotography?: Photo #1 & Photo #2
Could this be 409 Beadnose's yearling captured by Mullenphotography?: Photo #1
Could this be 409 Beadnose and her yearling with an adult male bear captured by Mullenphotography?: Photo #1 & Photo #2
2005.07.15:
Could this be 409 Beadnose with her yearling captured by George Georgiou?: Photo #1 , Photo #2 & Photo #3
We have requested information from the rangers regarding if 409 Beadnose and her 2004 offspring remained as a family group in 2005 and if the cub was successfully emancipated in 2006.
2006: Single Adult Female[]
409 Beadnose was observed as a single adult female on June 20, 2006 per Ranger Jeanne.
2006 season:[]
Carol Moraga captured Brooks Falls video in 2006. Mike Fitz commented on the video and identified 409 Beadnose as the bear seen from 3:09-3:30.
June 2006:[]
2006.06.20: 409 Beadnose was recorded as a single adult female in an official bear monitoring session per Ranger Jeanne.
2007: Adult Female with 3 Spring Cubs, 2nd Known Litter, (130 Tundra & Arctic)[]
409 Beadnose returned to the Brooks River with her second known litter of cubs, 3 spring cubs. The family group can be seen in this video by maninthegreyhat:
Sadly, 409 Beadnose was soon observed with only two remaining spring cubs from this litter. 130 Tundra and Arctic are the remaining offspring from this litter. 130 Tundra was easily recognizable into independent subadulthood due to a scar on her forehead.
Patrick J. Endres captured this photo of 409 Beadnose and her two remaining spring cubs during the 2007 season.
One of 409 Beadnose's remaining spring cubs can be seen in this 2007 season NPS photo:
June 2007:[]
2007.06.24: Ranger Jeanne's photos of 409 Beadnose with her 3 spring cubs: Photo #1 & Photo #2
John Castor also photographed 409 with her 3 spring cubs on 6/24/2007.
2007.06.25: Ranger Jeanne's photo of 409 Beadnose with her 3 spring cubs.
July 2007:[]
2007.07.11: Dan Lind Photography captured 2 photos of 409 and her 2 remaining spring cubs on 7/11/2007.
2007.07.12: John Castor photographed 409 with only 2 cubs on 7/12/2007 photo #1 and photo #2.
2007.07.13: Steve Agrella captured a photo of 409 and her remaining 2 cubs on the point, 7/13/2007.
2007.07.17: Ranger Jeanne's photo of 409 Beadnose and 1 of her spring cubs.
September 2007:[]
2008: Adult Female with 2 Remaining Yearlings (130 Tundra & Arctic)[]
409 Beadnose returned to Brooks River with the two remaining yearlings from her 2007 litter of cubs. She raised these two surviving cubs through 2008.
June 2008:[]
2008.06.08: Ranger Roy's photo of 409 Beadnose with one of her yearlings (130 Tundra or Arctic). Ranger Roy's photo of 130 Tundra, one of 409 Beadnose's 2008 yearlings.
June / July 2008:[]
Park visitor, Waejae, captured this video of 409 Beadnose and her two yearlings (130 Tundra and Arctic) in June or July of 2008:
July 2008:[]
2008.07.02: Park visitor, Randy Harris captured this photo of 409 Beadnose with 130 Tundra.
2008.07.11: Ranger Jeanne's photo of 409 Beadnose.
2009: Single Adult Female after Successful Emancipation of 130 Tundra & Arctic[]
409 Beadnose was a single female after successfully weaning and emancipating her now 2.5 year-old offspring, 130 Tunda & Arctic.. 130 Tundra was observed using the Brooks River until she was found deceased by then bear monitor, Ranger Leslie Skora on July 1, 2014 . 2009 Season or Prior: 2009.??.?? or Prior: Park visitor edesnaiher catpured this video of 409 Beadbise eating a fish in the lower river. The video was published on YouTube on 09/20/2009.:
Park visitor edesnaijer captured this video of 409 Beadnose fishing in the lower river. The video was published on YouTube on 09/24/2009.:
On March 13, 2018 at 18:49, Mike Fitz commented that he believed the bear in the above videos by edesnaijer was 409 Beadnose.:
July 2009:[]
2009.07.??: At about the 30 second mark into this flickr video by Peter Thiemann 402 and 409 are both on the lip with 402's 2008 litter. You can see how much bigger 402 is than 409, who is herself a large sow. 409 Beadnose can be heard growling at 402 in this video.
2009.07.11: Ranger Roy's photo of 409 Beadnose.
2009.07.14: Ranger Roy's photos of 409 Beadnose, Queen of the Riffles: Photo #1 , Photo #2 & Photo #3 . Ranger Roy's "Queen of The Riffles" photo is included in the KNP&P 409 Beadnose Flickr Gallery .
September 2009:[]
2009.09.19:
2010: Single Adult Female[]
409 Beadnose was a single female.
July 2010:[]
2010.07.??: On March 13, 2018 at 18:52 former KNP&P ranger Mike Fitz shared this July 2010 photo of 409 Beadnose (foreground) and 408 CC aka Crooked Claw (standing in the background) .
Please request Mike Fitz' permission prior to using his photographs!
2010.07.06: Ranger Roy's photo of 409 Beadnose. This photo also appears in KNP&P's Bear 409, Beadnose Flickr Gallery .
September 2010:[]
2010.09.19: Ranger Mike Fitz' photo of 409 Beadnose. This photo also appears in KNP&P's Bear 409, Beadnose Flickr Gallery .:
2011: Single Adult Female[]
409 Beadnose was a single female.
2011 Season:[]
2011: ??:??: 409 Beadnose is observed eating salmon on the lower river in this 2011 video published on 10/22/2019 by Travel Adventure. 409 is seen from 4:52-7:33. Mike Fitz confirmed the identification.
2011.??.??: 409 Beadnose can be seen in this 2011 video by wildatheartbill.:
July 2011:[]
2011.07.05: Ranger Jeanne's photo of 409 Beadnose.
2012: Adult Female with 3 Spring Cubs, 3rd Known Litter, 500 Indy & 717 Speculated[]
409 Beadnose was included in the 2012 Brown Bars of Brooks River iBook:
2012 Season:[]
409 Beadnose returned to the Brooks River with 3 spring cubs in 2012, her 3rd known litter. The largest of the 3 cubs was a female, now believed to be 500 Indy. The medium sized cub was a male. The smallest (the runt) was a female that is now speculated to be 717.
Explore.org captured this early 2012 season footage of 409 Beadnose with her 3 spring cubs:
Lani H shared eight 2012 photos of 409 and her 2012 spring cubs in chat, #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7 and #8. The photos had been shared with Lani via email from Courtney at Explore. They were taken when Explore was setting up their cam equipment before the cams went live for the 2012 season.
2012.??.??: 2dphotography captured this photo of the family group in 2012.
2012.??.??: 409 Beadnose and her 3 spring cubs can be seen at the beginning of this video by J. Scott Parker.:
July 2012:[]
2012.07.02: 409 Beadnose returned to the Brooks River with the 1st spring cubs of the season , 3 spring cubs, her 3rd known litter.
Park visitor, Bud Marschner, captured these photos of 409 Beadnose wtih her 3 spring cubs: Photo #1 , #2 , #3, #4 & #5 . Bud Marschner shares information about 409 Beadnose and her 3 spring cubs below each photo on the left hand side. Each description is worth the read.
2012.07.13 or Prior: Park visitor 5831a captured this video of 409 Beadnose with her 3 spring cubs on the spit.:
Momma Grizzly bear with 3 tiny cubs by 5831a (409 Beadnose with 3 spring cubs July 13, 2012 or prior)
2012.07.16: 2DPhotography captured these photos of 409 Beadnose and her 3 spring cubs: Photo #1 (409 with 1 of 3 spring cubs visible), #2 (1 of 3 spring cubs only), #3 (409 with 2 of 3 spring cubs), #4 (2 of 3 spring cubs only), #5 (409 with 3 spring cubs), #6 (409 with 3 spring cubs), #7 (2 of 3 spring cubs only), #8 (409 with 3 spring cubs), #9 (1 of 3 spring cubs), & #10 (1 of 3 spring cubs).
August 2012:[]
2013: Adult Female with 3 Yearlings, 500 Indy & 717 Speculated[]
409 Beadnose returned to the Brooks River with 3 yearlings. The largest of the yearlings was a female and is now believed to be 500 Indy. The medium sized yearling was a male and the smallest (the runt) was a female.
2013 Season:[]
Two of 409 Beadnose's 2013 yearlings can be seen in these photographs by Stu & Jor: Photo #1 & Photo #2 . The smallest of 409's yearlings, now believed to be 717, with a magpie can be seen in this photograph by Stu & Jor. 409 and her 3 yearlings can be seen in these photographs by Stu & Jor: Photo #1 & Photo #2 . 409 Beadnose and one of her yearlings can be seen in this video by Stu & Jor. 409's yearling with the salmon can seen in these photographs by Stu & Jor: Photo #1 & Photo #2 . 409 Beadnose and her 3 yearlings (500 Indy and 717 are believed to be two of them) can be seen in the beginning of this video by Kara Stenberg. The other bears are 402 with 3 spring cubs (503 Cubadult is one of them), 32 Chunk, and 32 Chunk and 89 Backpack playfighting.:
Gregg Burch captured this video during the 2013 season (published September 22, 2013). 409 Beadnose and her 3 yearlings (500, the largest & the runt, possibly 717) can be seen often during this wonderful footage.:
KNP&P's Facebook video of 409 Beadnose with her yearlings.: "Do mother bears share food with their cubs, or do they simply tolerate stealing by their offspring? Neither behavior has been scientifically proven, but personal observations can shed some light on the question. Have you ever seen a mother bear share?" (posted November 22, 2016 09:00 )
June 2013:[]
2013.06.29: 409 Beadnose with 3 yearlings video by Martina:
July 2013:[]
2013.07.??: Meet 409 Beadnose and yearlings video by Explore:
2013.07.??: Park visitor, Eva Thiemann, captured this video of 409 Beadnose and her 3 yearlings.:
2013.07.??: Michael Smith captured these videos (#1 & #2 ) of 409 and her 3 yearlings. Part of Michael's description of the videos includes this information: "Boar almost caught and killed the one at the top. He woofed for a while and then left. Mom came back with the other two sibs, and she stood guard at the base of the tree." Michael Smith's blog post of the events.
2013.07.04: Eaglewhisper18 captured video of 409 and her 3 yearlings on the lower river on 7/4/2013.
Katmai National Park,Alaska-Lower River,beautiful area mama bear & her cubs,7 4 13, video by eaglewhisperer18
2013.07.10: Rebecca Latson, Where the Trails Take You Photography, captured photos of 409 Beadnose and her 3 yearlings on 7/10/2013. Photo #1 (409 Beadnose and 2 of 3 yearlings, #2 and #3 (3 yearlings) and #4 "the runt" (smallest yearling).
2013.07.11: Park visitor, Christoph Strässler, captured these photos of 409 Beadnose and her yearlings: Photo #1 , Photo #2 (3 yearlings only) , Photo #3 (3 yearlings only) , Photo #4 (3 yearlings only) , Photo #5 , Photo #6 , Photo #7 , & Photo #8
2013.07.16: Juergen's gif of 409 Beadnose and her 3 yearlings.:
2013.07.18: Ranger Roy Wood's photo of 409 Beadnose and one of her yearling cubs from the KNP&P 409 Beadnose Flickr Gallery :
2013.07.19:
17:30: 409 Beadnose with her 3 yearlings video by MsDebbiB. This video provides views from both the River Watch cam (located beneath the Brooks Falls wildlife viewing platform) and the Brooks Falls cam (located at deck level of the Brooks Falls wildlife viewing platform).:
2013.07.20:
15:33: 409 Beadnose and 3 yearlings video by MsDebbiB:
Theresa Bielawski shared two 7/20/2013 photos of 409 Beadnose and her 3 yearlings on 6/7/2022, #1 and #2. The largest yearling is believed to be 500 Indy. The smallest yearling is speculated to be 717. Please request Theresa Bielawski's permission prior to using her photographs!
2013.07.23: 409 Beadnose and her 3 yearlings video by MsDebbiB:
August 2013:[]
2013.08.24:
14:39: Riverrock's snapshots of 409 Beadnose's "sweet fluffy cubs": Snapshot #1 , Snapshot #2 , & Snapshot #3
Ranger Mike shared some information about 409's yearlings and yearlings nursing in general:
"You might still see them nursing, although the cubs are relying less and less on mother's milk for nutrition as they grow.
From what I saw of them, they all put on weight since July."
2013.08.28: Brooks Camp visitor Dave Clark captured 8 photos of 409 and her 3 yearlings on 8/28/2013. Click the right arrow to view 7 more photos.
2013.08.30: On August 30, 2013 cam viewers were able to observe 409 Beadnose and her 3 yearlings for an extended period of time. On August 31, 2013, Ranger Mike commented about the behavior of 409's family group at that time:
"It seems like many of you got to watch several bears yesterday for an extended period of time, especially 409 Beadnose and her three yearlings.
Did you notice how the smaller yearling in that litter behaves differently than it’s larger siblings? The larger yearlings seem to more actively pursue their mother and take fish from her. She will nurse them, but mother bears won’t bring food to their cubs. The cubs have to compete with one another for access to other food sources, like the fish that 409 catches. In most instances, it seems like the larger cubs (one of which is probably a male) are willing to pursue mom to get fish while the smaller cub won’t.
This is an example of how bears are individuals, even at a young age. As they grow, differences in disposition may even become more obvious."
2013.08.31: Juergen created these gifs (#1 & #2 ) of 409 Beadnose's three yearlings near the lower river wildlife viewing platform.:
September 2013:[]
2013.09.05: KNP&P's September 5, 2013 16:37 Facebook post : "409 and her yearlings are back! Don't miss them on the explore.org bear cam.".:
2019.09.13: 409 Beadnose's 3 yearlings photograph by Pete Zwiers . One of 409 Beadnose's three yearlings photograph by Pete Zwiers .
2019.09.15: 409 Beadnose's 3 yearlings photograph by Pete Zwiers .
2019.09.16: Two of 409 Beadnose's three yearlings photograph by Pete Zwiers . One of 409 Beadnose's three yearlings photograph by Pete Zwiers .
2013.09.17: Juergen captured this snapshot of 409 Beadnose's 3 yearlings (from Juergen's group flickr ).:
2013.09.26: Juergen captured this snapshot of 409 Beadnose's 3 yearlings (from Juergen's group flickr ).:
2013.09.28: 409 Beadnose with her 3 yerlings snapshot by Thresa Glass (from KNP&P Bearcam group flickr ).:
409 Beadnose with her 3 yearlings on the Spit video by Linda Jett.:
409 Beadnose and her 3 yearlings are displaced from the Spit by another bear and depart to fish in the lower river video by Linda Jett.:
2013.09.29: 409 Beadnose with her 3 yearlings from Down River Island to the Spit video (part 1) by Linda Jett.:
2013.09.30: 409 Beadnose and her 3 yearlings near the wader sign video by kidnaround1.:
409 Beadnose with her 3 yearlings on closed trail video (part 3) by Linda Jett.:
409 Beadnose with her 3 yearlings near wader sign video (part 4) by Linda Jett.:
409 Beadnose with her 3 yearlings near the wader sign video (part 7) by Linda Jett.:
2014: Single Adult Female[]
409 Beadnose was included in the 2014 Bears of Brooks River book on page 36:
409 was a single female in 2014. It is believed that 409 successfully emancipated all three cubs from her 2012 litter in early 2014. 500 Indy is believed to be the largest of those offspring. On July 4, 2014 two small subadults were observed together and were to believed to be the two largest offspring from her 2012 litter. On August 31, 2014 Ranger Jeanne and Ranger Mike observed a small subadult at Margot Creek that closely resembled 409's smallest offspring from her 2012 litter.
June 2014:[]
2014.06.19: 409 Beadnose mated with 634 Popeye, NPS photos from KNP&P flickr (#1 & #2 ):
2014.06.21: Juergen's gif of 409 Beadnose.:
2014.06.22: Juergen's gif of 409 Beadnose.:
2014.06.24: KNP&P's NPS photo of 409 Beadnose from the 2014 Fat Bear Tuesday contest. (KNP&P's September 30, 2014 10:30 Facebook post ).:
July 2014:[]
2014.07.??: GABear shared this July 2014 snapshot of 409 Beadnose on the lip and 480 Otis below (p 01/12/2020 06:49 ). GABear shared this July 2014 snapshot of 409 Beadnose on the lip, 480 Otis in the jacuzzi, 814 Lurch & 89 Backpack in the far pool (near to far) (p 01/12/2020 06:49 ).:
2014.07.02: Cam Op Anna-Marie captured this snapshot of 409 Beadnose:
2014.07.07: 409 Beadnose's fish is pirated by another bear (274 Overflow?) in this video by JB Grace. The bear (274?) climbs falls to steal fish from Beadnose THREE times. Upon the fourth attempt, Beadnose runs away with her fish - with thief in tow:
2014.07.16: 409 Beadnose falls of the lip of Brooks Falls in this video by JB Grace. 634 Popeye is the bear below the falls in this video.
September 2014:[]
2014.09.??: GABear shared this snapshot of 409 Beadnose (p 01/12/2020 06:49 ).:
2014.09.18: 409 Beadnose on Spit Road video by JoeBear:
2014.09.21: 409 Beadnose and 410 on the spit with Mike Fitz strolling by in his kayak video by RGW.:
2014.09.24: KNP&P's NPS photo of 409 Beadnose from the 2014 Fat Bear Tuesday contest. (KNP&P's September 30, 2014 10:30 Facebook post ).:
2014.09.29: Juergen's gif of 409 Beadnose. (wiki won't allow gif to be loaded here, file may be too large)
2014.09.30: On September 30, 2014, 409 Beadnose competed in the 2014 Fat Bear Tuesday contest, the first annual Fat Bear contest
At 10:30 AKDT, 409 Beadnose was paired with 284 "Electra" in round 5.:
KNP&P's September 30, 2014 10:30 AKDT 284 Facebook post vs KNP&P's September 30, 2014 10:30 AKDT 409 Beadnose Facebook post .
KNP&P's September 30, 2014 10:37 AKDT Facebook post with updated bracket .:
409 Beadnose defeated 284 "Electra" in round 5 of the 2014 Fat Bear Tuesday contest:
KNP&P's September 30, 2014 12:37 AKDT Facebook post with updated bracket .:
At 14:00 AKDT, 409 Beadnose was paired with 480 Otis in round 9.:
KNP&P's September 30, 2014 14:00 AKDT 409 Beadnose Facebook post vs KNP&P's September 30, 2014 14:00 AKDT 480 Otis Facebook post .:
480 Otis defeated 409 Beadnose in round 9 of the 2014 Fat Bear Tuesday contest.:
KNP&P's September 30, 2014 15:08 AKDT Facebook post with updated bracket .:
2015: Single Adult Female[]
409 Beadnose was included in the 2015 Bears of Brooks River book on page 38:
2015 Season:[]
409 Beadnose was a single female in 2015.
A 2015 photo of 409 Beadnose (near, left) and her niece, 128 Grazer (far, right) fishing the lip of Brooks Falls can be seen in Mike Fitz' October 6, 2016 blog, When Mother Bears Collide .
2015.??.??: Brooks Camp visitor thebuc1010 recorded this 2015 video where 856 can be seen courting 410 at 2:08-3:13. 409 Beadnose is briefly seen from 3:14-3:30.
June 2015:[]
2015.06.??: GABear shared this snapshot of 409 Beadnose on the lip with 410 sitting in the far pool (p 01/12/2020 06:49 ).:
2015.06.27: Ranger Mike captured these photos of 409 Beadnose: Photo #1 & Photo #2
NPS photo of 409 Beadnose from the 2015 Fat Bear Week contest.:
July 2015:[]
2015.07.??: GABear shared this snapshot of 409 Beadnose on the lip with 868 Wayne Brother, 480 Otis sitting below, and 410 in the far pool (p 01/12/2020 06:49 ).:
2015.07.01: Ranger Mike captured these photos of 409 Beadnose: Photo #1 & Photo #2
2015.07.02: KNP&P volunteer, park visitor, and cam op, Anna-Marie, captured this photo of 409 Beadnose:
Please request Anna-Marie's permission prior to using her photos!
2015.07.03: Let's hear it from the girl! 409 Beadnose can be heard growling on the lips Brooks Falls in this 7/03/2015 video by Joe Bear. 89 Backpack is the bear in the jacuzzi.
2015.07.10: Park visitor and cam viewer, Carla Farris observed an interaction between 409 Beadnose and 128 Grazer: Carla shares this experience in her June 15. 2016 comment and includes this photo collage : "Here are some shots of a little squabble between Beadnose and Grazer that I was lucky enough to get the very first day last year! Beadnose was catching a lot of salmon and she was starting to just eat small amounts, so Grazer decided she would take advantage of that so as Beadnose started to step away, Grazer grabbed at the salmon. Beadnose then decided maybe she wasn't done with it quite yet! It was a great way to start off our trip. Hope we get the chance to experience more moments like this."
409 Beadnose and 868 Wayne Brother negotiate rights to a spot fishing the lip, 7/10/2015 video by Martina.
2015.07.11: Baby peas shared three 7/11/2015 photos of 409 Beadnose on 5/24/2023, #1, #2 and #3. "The lovely 409 Beadnose, what a classy bear!"
Please request Baby peas permission prior to using their photographs!
2015.07.12: 409 Beadnose on lip with an itch video by Lyn Gulbransen:
2015.07.19: Ranger Mike's photo of 505 stealing a fish from 409 Beadnose.
2015.07.28: Ranger Mike's photo of 128 Grazer, 409 Beadnose, 868 Wayne Brother, and 505 on the lip.
409 Beadnose falls off (or is ejected by Grazer) the falls, gets past Otis and then is attacked by 402 protecting her 1st quads (which included 811 & 812). on July 28, 2015 video by Margaret Saint Clair.:
2015.07.29: 409 Beadnose falls off the lip of the falls and is attacked by 402 as she attempts to make her way back up to the lip of the falls when she approaches the fish ladder area and gets to close to 402 and her spring cubs in this video by Margaret Saint Clair.
September 2015:[]
2015.09.06: Ranger Mike's photo of 409 Beadnose.
2015.09.23: Ranger Mike's photo of 409 Beadnose.
NPS photo of 409 Beadnose from the 2015 Fat Bear Week contest.:
2015.09.24: 410, 409 Beadnose, and 32 Chunk on Spit Road videos:
Donna T. Bennett (aka DTB, DtotheOtotheB)'s video of 410, 409 Beadnose, and 32 Chunk of Spit Road with Pretty Woman piped in.
Mickey Williams' video :
410, 409 Beadnose, and 32 Chunk walking on Spit Road Katmai National Park 9 24 2015 by Mickey Williams
JoeBear's video :
Martina's video :
2015.09.30: Anna-Marie Gantt captured this video of 409 Beadnose and 128 Grazer on the lip.:
October 2015:[]
2015 Fat Bear Contest:
409 Beadnose was a participant in the 2015 Fat Bear Week contest.
Donna T. Bennett (aka DTB, yesitsdonna) posted this Naomi Boak version video to campaign for 409:
2015.10.13: 409 Beadnose wins the 2015 Fat Bear Contest :
2016: Adult Female with 2 Spring Cubs, 4th Known Litter, 909 (blonder) & 910 (darker) Speculated[]
409 Beadnose was included in the 2016 Bears of Brooks River book on page 45:
2016 Season:[]
2016.??.??: 409 Beadnose was successfully darted by Ranger Michael Saxton. This video by KNP&P shows the darting process and provides this information about the genetics study.:
"That pink dart retrieves a DNA sample, without ever having to sedate the bear. The goal of this study is to evaluate gene flow throughout Katmai and the surrounding area, particularly across the Aleutian Range."
2016.??.??: 409 Beadnose highlights video by David S.:
2016.??.??: GreenRiver shared these 2016 season snapshots (#1 , #2 , #3 , #4, #5 , #6 & #7 ) of 409 Beadnose with her 2 spring cubs (p 01/12/2020 08:37 ). GreenRiver shared these 2016 season snapshots (#1 , #2 , #3 , #4 , #5 , #6 , #7 , #8 & #9 ) of 409 Beadnose, some with her spring cubs (p 01/12/2020 14:51 ).:
2016.??.??: Mocha's 2016 season video of 409 Beadnose with her 2 spring cubs (909 & 910) walking by the lower river wildlife viewing platform.:
June 2016:[]
2016.06.18 (Not June 6, 2018, cams not live that early in the season): 409 Beadnose and her two spring cubs (909 & 910) make their live cam debut in this video by Mickey Williams.:
Katmai National Park and Explore Mom & 2 COYs on spit road AM 6-18-16 (NOT JUNE 6, 2016 CAMS NOT LIVE THAT EARLY IN SEASON) by Mickey Williams
2016.06.17: NPS photo of 409 Beadnose from round 2.2 of the 2016 Fat Bear Week contest ~ 409 Beadnose vs 410 .:
2016.06.18: 409 Beadnose with her 2 spring cubs (909 & 910) video by Victoria White.:
2016.06.19: NPS photo of 409 Beadnose from round 1.2 of the 2016 Fat Bear Week contest ~ 409 Beadnose vs 402 .:
2016.06.20: 409 Beadnose with her two spring cubs (909 & 910) forage on Spit Road video by Mickey Williams. For 409, it looks like the foraging was for food; in the case of the little 409 offspring it looks like they were taking turns foraging for mooring ropes for boats.
409 Beadnose and COYs forage on spit rd. 6-20-16 Katmai National Park and Explore bu Mickey Williams
2016.06.22: 409 Beadnose and her two spring cubs (909 & 910) video by Victoria White.:
2016.06.23: 409 Beadnose nursing her cubs on the spit video by Martina:
A closer look at 409 Beadnose and her two spring cubs (909 & 910) near the floating bridge, video by Mickey Williams.:
2016.06.27: 409 Beadnose with her 2 spring cubs (909 & 910) take a swim across the river in this video by Mickey Williams. When 409 Beadnose won't permit the COY to hitch a ride on her back, the COY take off on their own.
2;20pm 6-27-16 409 Beadnoseand cubs swm across river Katmai National Park and Explore by Mickey Williams-0
July 2016:[]
2016.07.07: When Mother Bears Collide video by Mike Fitz. Mike description of the video states: "When two mother bears encounter one another how will they react? This is footage of 128 Grazer and cubs encounter 409 Beadnose and cubs on July 7, 2016 at Brooks River in Katmai National Park Alaska. Note how the bears stand their ground, but avoid an actual fight. Bears attempt to avoid fights far more often than they engage in them..." Mike breaks down the interaction in his blog: When Mother Bears Collide :
2016.07.15: 409 Beadnose with her 2 spring cubs (909 & 910) on the lower river video by st mango.:
2016.07.16 - 2016.07.21: Truman Everts captured this photograph of 409 Beadnose with her 2 spring cubs (909 & 910) (p 08/27/16 10:53). This was the first comment Truman Everts ever made in the bearcam comments...and he has been sharing his Brooks Camp / Katmai adventures with us ever since. Truman also shared that 409's spring cubs "make the most hellish sounds when they fight! " (p 08/27/16 11:14). Truman Everts captured this photograph of 409 Beadnose's 2 spring cubs climbing a tree (p 09/02/16 22:04). Truman Everts captured this photograph of 409 Beadnose's 2 spring cubs treed (p 08/27/16 11:20). Truman Everts also captured this photograph of 409 Beadnose's 2 spring cubs treed (p 09/01/16 20:05); Truman shared this information about this photograph (p 09/02/16 04:46 ) "she (409) was fishing, so they wisely scrambled up here, since there were multiple boars nearby". Truman Everts captured this photograph of one of 409 Beadnose's spring cubs treed (p 08/29/16 08:20). Truman Everts also captured this photograph of 409 Beadnose's 2 spring cubs treed (p 08/27/16 11:34). Truman Everts captured this photograph of 409 Beadnose (p 09/10/16 11:29). Truman Everts captured this photograph of 409 Beadnose with her 2 spring cubs (p 09/01/16 19:45). Truman Everts captured this photograph of 409 Beadnose and her 2 spring cubs (p 08/30/16 14:59). Truman Everts captured this photograph of 409 Beadnose with her 2 spring cubs (p 09/10/16 17:36). Truman Everts captured this photograph of 409 Beadnose with 1 of 2 spring cubs visible (p 08/28/16 18:13). Truman Everts captured this photograph of 409 Beadnose's 2 spring cubs (p 08/31/16 17:48). Truman Everts captured this photograph of 409 Beadnose (p 08/29/16 18:12). Truman Everts captured this photograph of 409 Beadnose with her 2 spring cubs (p 09/03/16 08:42). Truman Everts captured this photograph of 409 Beadnose fishing with her 2 spring cubs in the background (p 08/30/16 07:01). Truman Everts captured this photograph of 409 Beadnose (p 08/30/16 21:23). Truman Everts captured this photograph of 409 Beadnose with 1 of her 2 spring cubs (p 09/07/16 20:03). Truman Everts captured this photograph of 409 Beadnose that shows her kind of scary right front paw (p 08/31/16 16:42). Truman Everts captured this photograph of 409 Beadnose and her 2 spring cubs (p 09/06/16 16:23).:
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
2016.07.19: Truman Everts captured this photograph of one of 409 Beadnose's two spring cubs in the "Nanny Tree" on July 19, 2016 at 10:11 (p 02/02/2020 08:22 ). Truman Everts captured this phootgraph of the other 409 Beadnose's spring cubs in the "Nanny Tree" (p 02/02/2020 08:59 ). Truman Everts captured this photograph of 409 Beadnose with her 2 spring cubs at 15:41 (p 02/02/2020 07:58 ). Truman Everts captured this photograph of 409 Beadnose's two spring cubs (909 & 910, 1 cub standing on hind legs) at 20:07 (p 02/02/2020 08:05 ). Truman Everts captured this photograph of 409 Beadnose's two spring cubs (909 & 910) at 20:07 (p 02/02/2020 08:13 ). Truman Everts shared this 7/19/2016 photo of 409 Beadnose on 3/26/2020. Truman Everts shared this 7/19/2016 photo of 409 Beadnose with her 2 spring cubs (909 and 910) on 5/4/2020. "Haven't given up yet, that 409 might still be out there. ❤ Here she is in '16, cub-protecting at Level 10." Truman Everts shared four 7/9/2016 photo of 409 Beadnose and her 2 spring cubs 909 and 910 on 5/23/2021, #1, #2, #3 and #4.
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
_July_19,_2016_photo_by_Truman_Everts_.03.jpg "409 Beadnose with 2 spring cubs (909 and 910) July 19, 2016 photo by Truman Everts .03.jpg (1.06 MB)")
Linda Jett posted on YouTube this 6 minute extract video from Ranger David’s July 19 2016 PBP in which 409 fishes the lip and returns with her catch. 409's cubs (909 & 910) fight over the fish and can be heard vocalizing.:
2016.07.21: 409 Beadnose with her 2 spring cubs (909 & 910) at 10:51 photograph by Truman Everts (p 02/02/2020 07:39 ). 409 Beadnose with her 2 spring cubs (909 & 910) at 10:53 photograph by Truman Everts (p 02/02/2020 09:07 ). 409 Beadnose with her 2 spring cubs (909 & 910) at 10:53 photograph by Truman Everts (p 02/02/2020 09:23 ). Truman Everts also captured this photograph of 409 Beadnose with one of her two spring cubs visible (the other is hiding behind 409) on July 21, 2016 (p 02/02/2020 07:42 ).:
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
2016.07.31: 409 Beadnose and her two spring cubs leave the lip the hard way in this video created by Carol Anne Meyer.:
Changing of the guard 409 and cubs leave the lip the hard way; 402 and cubs take over by Carol Anne Meyer
409 Beadnose's spring cubs tumbles video by Melissa Freels.:
Mickey Williams' video of 409 Beadnose's 2 spring cubs taking turns falling off the lip of Brooks Falls.:
September 2016:[]
2016.09.04: 409 Beadnose with her 2 spring cubs video by Melissa Freels.:
2016.09.06: 409 Beadnose and her 2 spring cubs up close video by Melissa Freels.:
Melissa Freels captured this video of 409 Beadnose and her 2 spring cubs (909 & 910) close-up on the grassy point.:
Park visitor, Ronald Woan captured approximately 60 photographs of 409 Beadnose and her two spring cubs on September 6, 2016, his 2nd day at Brooks Camp. Click here for the first photograph and then click the right arrow to view more of his photographs.
Ratna Narayan captured this video of 409 Beadnose and her 2 spring cubs (909 & 910):
2016.09.09: Viral Hog posted a 9/9/2016 video of 409 Beadnose and her 2 spring cubs 909 and 910 as they walked past a group of visitors.
2016.09.15: Lisa Robertson (aka Larinor) shared a 9/15/2016 photo of 409 Beadnose with her two spring cubs 909 and 910 on 3/19/2023. "909 and 910 with mama 409 Beadnose on the far bank. Photo was taken 9/15/16."
Please request Lisa Robertson's (aka Larinor) permission prior to using her photographs!
_.01.jpg "409 Beadnose and spring cubs 909 and 910 September 15, 2016 photo by Lisa Robertson (aka Larinor) .01.jpg (1.1 MB)")
2016.09.10: 94 (with her cub) and 409 (with her 2 cubs) can be heard in this video by park visitor Ana:
2016.09.27: NPS photo of 409 Beadnose from round 2.2 of the 2016 Fat Bear Week contest. ~ 409 Beadnose vs 410 :
2016.09.29: NPS photo of 409 Beadnose from round 1.2 of the 2016 Fat Bear Week contest ~ 409 Beadnose vs 402 .:
October 2016:[]
2016.10.05: Brenda D captured uninterrupted Lower River West cam footage on October 5, 2016 of Ranger Saxton attempting to dart 480 Otis (approximately 11:20 into Brenda's video) and footage of 409 Beadnose with her two spring cubs (909 & 910) on closed trail. At approximately 26:16 into Brenda's video you see the 409 family group all stand up on the hind legs looking to the right. 409 Beadnose standing on her hind legs is not something we observe often. At approximately 27:38, when the cam pans right, 83 Wayne Brother, with a dart still attached, can be seen in the far right of the screen. Ranger Saxton darting 83 Wayne Brother is not captured in the video, just 83 Wayne Brother with the unrecovered dart still attached. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
Martina captured this video of 409 Beadnose and her two spring cubs (909 & 910) sharing a fish.:
409 Beadnose's cub bluff charges 854 Divot's cubs video by David S.:
Dart capture 409 cubs 854 and cub2016-10-05 20-08-32-854 by David S (409 cub bluff charges 854 cubs)
2016.10.08: 409 Beadnose and her 2 spring cubs (909 & 910) video by Ratna Narayan.:
2016.10.12: 409 Beadnose faces off against 402 in round 1.2 of the 2016 Fat Bear Week contest.:
KNP&P's October 12, 2016 12:00 Facebook post .: "Two heavyweight mother bears face off for a chance to advance to the second round. Both these big beautiful bears have raised several cubs over the years. They approach cub rearing in different ways, but both aim to get fat for their own survival and for their cubs. There’s no one-size-fits-all mothering technique in the bear world, unless that size is XXXL. Sows sacrifice vital calories for their cubs, which makes the bulging season all the more challenging. Good thing these two know how to eat. Which of these fat mommas has the goods to advance?"
409 Beadnose is declared the winner of round 1.2 : "The votes are in! This one is another no contest - 409 gets the nod with 727 to 78 votes. .."
2016.10.14: 409 Beadnose goes up against 410 in round 2.2 of the 2016 Fat Bear Week contest.:
KNP&P's October 14, 2016 12:00 Facebook post.: .: "Last year’s Fat Bear Tuesday Champion 409 Beadnose has advanced to round 2, where she meets a legend in fat bear survival, 410. Even while keeping her cubbies chubby, 409 has managed to put on pounds on pounds for the winter. But her opponent ain’t no slouch either. 410 has mastered the art of energy conservation, plus she’s free from the drain of dependent cubs. 410 is currently the oldest bear known to use the Brooks River, and it shows in her ability to stack on the blubber. Is 410’s lard mongering experience enough to stop the chub train of 409 Beadnose?"
409 Beadnose is defeated by 410 in round 2.2 of the 2016 Fat Bear Week contest .: "Time! The final tally is: Beadnose 294, Four-Ton 439. 410 wins!..."
2016.10.20: Day light robbery video by David S. 909 scarfs fish from 409 Beadnose .:
2016 - 2018: 2016 Adult Female w/Spring Cubs to 2018 when Offspring were Independent Subadults[]
2016 Season - 2018 Season:[]
GreenRiver created this slideshow video of snapshot of 409 Beadnose with her two spring cubs from the 2016 season to their first season as independent subadults, 909 & 910, during the 2018 season.:
Sisters, Brooks River Brown Bears 909 and 910 from the 2016 Season (spring cubs) - the 2018 season (independent subadults) by GreenRiver
2017: Adult Female with 2 Yearlings, 909 (blonder) & 910 (darker) Speculated[]
409 Beadnose was included in the 2017 Bears of Brooks River book on page 50:
2017 Season:[]
2017.??.??: In 2017, park visitor, Karen Perry, captured video of 409 Beadnose successfully fishing the lip. While 409 consumes her catch on the lip, one of her yearlings gets in a little nursing in.
2017.??.??: Random Currents features 409 Beadnose and her cubs in this Katmai National Park's Zen Momma: 409 Beadnose and Her Cubs blog.
2017.??.??: Mikey Wright captured this video of 747 displacing and then chasing 409 Beadnose and her two yearlings (now 909 & 910).
2017.??.??: SMS4 captured this snapshot of the 409 Beadnose and 128 Grazer family groups having a standoff below the Brooks Falls wildlife viewing platform. (p 01/12/2020 05:48 ). GreenRiver captured these 2017 season snapshots (#1 & #2 with 1 of 2 cubs, the other cub was in the grass ) of 409 Beadnose with her yearlings (p 01/12/2020 08:37 ).:
2017.??.??: This summer of 2017 video by Jon Rayeski shows 409 and her playful yearlings on the lower river, 2:13-2:33. :
June 2017: []
2017.06.??: Melissa Freels shared this June 2017 art photo of 409 Beadnose and her yearlings 909 and 910 on 3/19/2023.
Please request Melissa Freel's permission prior to using her photographs!
2017.06.21: The beginning of the 2017 bearcam season came with a ROAR (well a few of them). Turn the volume up for this one! 409 Beadnose and her niece, 128 Grazer have an encounter on the north shore of the Brooks River. 409's cubs are in the grasses and 128's cubs are treed; 128 Grazer eventually calls her cubs down from the tree. Video by Flyer 7474 (aka Steve CA):
Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA) captured this video of the 409 Beadnose and 128 Grazer family groups.:
LuvBears shared this June 21, 2017 snapshot of 409 Beadnose and her 2 yearlings.:
Brenda D captured this video of 409 Beadnose and her two yearlings on June 21, 2017. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
2017.06.24: 409 Beadnose with her 2 yearlings (909 & 910) in the riffles at 17:50 photograph by Truman Everts (p 02/02/2020 11:26 ). 409 Beadnose's two yearlings (909 & 910) wading after 409 in the river at 17:56 photograph by Truman Everts (p 02/02/2020 09:37). 409 Beadsnose with her 2 yearlings (909 & 910) at the falls at 18:00 photograph by Truman Everts (p 02/02/2020 09:45 ). 409's yearling cubs (later to be 909 & 910) tree themselves for safety, while 409 executes a long series of fruitless lunges in the slim pickings of early summer...until finally getting hold of a fish at 20:13...... photograph by Truman Everts (p 02/02/2020 10:07 ). 409 Beadnose with her 2 yearlings (909 & 910 at 20:24 photograph by Truman Everts (p 02/02/2020 12:13 ). 409 Beadnose (409 has a broken middle claw on her right front paw) with one of her two yearlings (909 or 910) on June 24, 2017 at 20:51 photograph by Truman Everts (p 02/02/2020 12:13 ). Truman Everts shared a 6/24/2017 photo of 409 Beadnose on 4/23/2020. Truman Everts shared this 6/24/2017 photo of 409 Beadnose "sprinting after a fish to feed her 2 yearling girls" on 5/28/2020.
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
2017.06.25: 128 Grazer and 409 Beadnose face off again video by Brenda D. 409 Beadnose shows up first, cubs climb the tree to wait. 128 Grazer shows up later and her cubs go up the SAME tree. 128 Grazer and 409 Beadnose face off at the base of the tree and hill. 128 Grazer gets 409 Beadnose out of the way and the Grazettes climb down and go to the left bank. One of the Beadettes gets out of the tree and exits stage right. The other Beadette tries to come down and 128 Grazer climbs the tree to send it back up to the top. 128 Grazer finally lets the Beadette out of the tree and 409 Beadnose and family leaves. Wow! It's an amazing video to watch.. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
Ruxandra Nicole captured this video :
Grazer and Beadnose having a fight, they both had the cubs in the same tree, Brooks Falls June 25, 2017 by Ruxandra Nicole
Former KNP&P ranger & Explore.org resident natrualist, Mike Fitz wrote a blog on June 27, 2017 about the incident: When Mother Bears Collide (Again)
2017.06.26: 409 Beadnose and her two yearlings fishing the lip video by Brenda D. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
Truman Everts captured this photograph of 409 Beadnose's two yearlings (909 & 910) sitting on the same rock watching 409 fish on June 26, 2017 at 19:18 (p 02/02/2020 12:45 ). Truman Everts captured these photographs (#1 & #2 ) of 409 Beadnose and her two yearlings (909 & 910) fishing the lip of Brooks Falls at 19:22 (p 02/02/2020 12:55 01 & p 02/02/2020 16:13 02 reply). Truman Everts captured this photograph of 409 Beadnose with her 2 yearlings (909 & 910) at 19:25 (p 02/02/2020 13:51 ).:
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
2017.06.27: Truman Everts shared this 6/27/2017 photo of 409 Beadnose on 5/23/2021. "409 (aka: "Beadnose") is probably the bear I miss most. Dug up this unseen 2017 look into her face, as she raised her final litter: 909 & 910."
409 Beadnose and her two yearlings late night fishing video by Arlene Beech (aka Homebird).:
Beadnose 409 and her cubs late night fishing at Brooks Falls. 00.10 27 June 2017 by Arlene Beech (aka Homebird)
Cheryl B’s June 27, 2017 video . 409 and yearlings arrive to an empty falls and fish the far pool for a while. They arrive at 7:55 in the video.
2017 06 27 01 17 52 @12 05 PM AKDT Bald Eagles on shore Beadnose and yearlings fishing the office by Cheryl B
July 2017:[]
2017.07.??: JustDucky captured this close-up photo of 409 Beadnose during her 2017 Trip to Brooks Camp.
2017.07.01: Truman Everts captured this photograph of 409 Beadnose and her two yearlings (909 & 910) at 15:27 (p 02/02/2020 19:39 ).:
2017.07.02: Truman Everts shared this 7/2/2017 photo of 409 Beadnose with her yearlings 909 and 910 on 5/23/2021.
2017.07.06: Truman Everts captured this photograph of 409 Beadnose at 10:03 AKDT.: Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
2017.07.07: 409 Beadnose's 2 yearlings chase a subadult and the family plays on the spit, 7/7/2017 video by angerbodha.
2017.07.10: Martina’s video of 409/Beadnose and her yearlings (now 909 & 910). For the first 2:30 mins the cubs wrestle with each other and chase gulls. Beadnose joins in and has a long play session with them::
2017.07.17: 409 Beadnose and her heebie geebies (yearlings, 909 & 910) video by DTB:
2017.07.19: NPS photo of 409 Beadnose from round 2 of the 2017 Fat Bear Week contest.:
2017.07.22: ElaineDE share a 7/22/2017 photo of 409 and her 2 yearlings 909 and 910 on 4/22/2020.
Please request ElaineDE's permission prior to using her photographs!
2017.07.27: Truman Everts shared this 7/27/2017 photo of 409 Beadnose and 1 of her 2 yearlings on 5/10/2020.
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
2017.07.30: 409 Beadnose's yearling (910 ) "towelling" off after getting out of the river video by Brenda D. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
August 2017:[]
2017.08.03: Peaceful existence between 409 Beadnose with her 2 yearlings and 128 Grazer and her 3 yearlings video by Brenda D. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
September 2017:[]
2017.09.??: Brian Lashchuk captured September 2017 video of 171 and 409 Beadnose each with a set of 2 yearlings. 171 is seen first and runs off when 409 Beadnose and her cubs arrive. Note the size difference between the 2 sets of cubs. 171 is a small sow and her cubs are much smaller than 409's cubs. 409's yearlings are now adult sows 909 and 910. 909 is the lighter of the two.
2017.09.??: Park visitor and cam viewer, MollyGee-TX , captured this photo of 409 Beadnose. This photo provides a great view of the "growths" that appear on 409 Beadnose's eyes. Other bears, like 435 Holly, also have similar "growths" on their eyes. We have requested additional information from the rangers on these "growths".
Please request MollyGee-TX's permission prior to using her photos!
What are these growths on some of the bear's eyes:
We have noticed strange growths(?) on some of the bear's eyes.
409 Beadnose and 435 Holly are some examples: 409 Beadnose 09/2017 by MollyGeeTX & 435 Holly 09/17/2017 by MollyGeeTX.
Truman Everts captured this June 30, 2019 photo of a cub with similar inflamation / swelling (growths) on its eyelids. On August 30, 2019, Truman asked Mike Fitz about this and Mike Fitz replied .:
"Hi Truman. I've noticed the swellings around Beadnose's eyelids too. I'm not sure what it might be other than scars and swellings caused by biting insects. A bear's eyelids seem to be quite vulnerable to insect bites. I once watched 409 and 634 copulating near the falls platform and through my binoculars I could see their eyes swarmed by black flies while they were preoccupied. Sometimes the skin on moose can be eaten nearly raw by flies in summer as explained in this article . I've never seen anything like that on bears though. Perhaps bears are just better at keeping flies off. No matter what, they must have a very high tolerance for biting insects."
Please request Truman Evert's permission prior to using his photos!
2017.09.11: 409 Beadnose and her yearlings (909 & 910) relax on the banks of the Lower Brooks River video by Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA).:
2017.09.14: 409 Beadnose and her 2 yearling cubs (909 and 910) charge a running bear, 9/4/2017 video by Birgitt.
2017.09.16: NPS photo of 409 Beadnose from round 2 of the 2017 Fat Bear Week contest.:
October 2017: []
2017.10.04: 409 Beadnose goes up against her niece, 128 Grazer in round 2 of the 2017 Fat Bear Week contest.:
KNP&P's October 4, 2017 12:00 Facebook post .: "Round 2 features warrior vs. the wise with two more beefy mother bears. 409 Beadnose is raising her 4th litter this year, outperforming 128 Grazer 4 to 1 in the reproduction department. Lucky for Grazer, this competition is about one thing, and one thing only: bulging bellies of lard. Which of these lovely lady’s lumps are lumpiest? Will Beadnose be Grazered out of the running, or will 409’s experience guide her to sweet, swollen victory? Only you can decide."
KNP&P's October 4, 2017 18:19 Facebook comment : 409 Beadnose is declared the winner of round 2:
"409 Beadnose wins in a landslide victory! The former champ is moving on to the next round, where she'll meet a veteran in bear obesity - 410."
2017.10.06: 409 Beadnose competes against 410 in round 6 of the 2017 Fat Bear Week contest.:
KNP&P's October 6, 2017 12:00 Facebook post .: "How do you transform your body into nothing but booty? Just ask one of these luscious lady bears. If they could answer, they’d tell you the secret is in the art of the summer nap. When these strapping sows aren’t stuffing their face with salmon, they’re beached in a belly hole nearby. Far from lazy, these two butterballs have serious survival skills. Energy conservation has earned these big girls excellent chances for survival this winter. Now they need your votes to survive to the next round of Fat Bear Week. Who will you choose?"
KNP&P's October 6, 2017 18:05 Facebook comment .: 409 Beadnose is defeated by 410 in round 6:
"The Queen of Katmai, 410 prevails this round! She'll have some hefty competition this Sunday with a showdown against the jumbo jet, 747."
2018: Single Adult Female, Last Year Observed[]
409 was included in the 2018 Bears of Brooks River book on page 49.:
2018 Season:[]
2018.??.??: Deanna Dittloff (aka deelynnd) created this 2018 video of 409 Beadnose:
2018.??.??: Cruiser shared this collage of 409 Beadnose snapshots (possibly captured on 09/13/2018 ) from the 2018 season (p 01/12/2020 09:46 ) Cruiser shared these 2018 season snapshots (#1 , #2 , #3 & #4 ) of 409 Beadnose (p 01/12/2020 08:37 ).:
2018.??.??: 409 Beadnose (head visible beginning near 1:09, 2:24 ), high definition video posted 8/1/2018 by Kristi Odom.:
May 2018:[]
2018.05.22 or PRIOR: 409 Beadnose was observed and identified with her two 2.5 year-old cubs per KNP&P's May 22, 2018 10:05 Facebook post with photo of the family group courtesy of R. Taylor.:
"Bear update: bear 409 has been identified for the first time this season!
She is still accompanied by her two 2.5 year old cubs, her fourth litter. 409 can be identified by her dark chocolate-brown coat and blonde ears.
Photo courtesy of R. Taylor
[Image description: a brown bear sow with two large cubs grazing in grass]"
2018.05.24 - 2018.05.30: 128 Grazer with her two 2.5 year-old cubs and 409 Beadnose with her two 2.5 year-old cubs were observed on Spit Road the week of May 24, 2018 - May 30, 2018 NPS photo courtesy of R. Taylor via KNP&P's June 1, 2018 06:01 Facebook post :
June 2018:[]
Park visitor and cam viewer, Melissa Freels captured this photo of 409 sitting on a rock and this photo of 409 on the lip of Brooks Falls during her June 2018 trip to Brooks Camp .
2018.06.06 & FEW DAYS PRIOR: 409 Beadnose was courted by 856 June 6, 2018 and the few days prior per Mike Fitz' June 6, 2018 Explore.org blog: Brooks River Bear Mating Season :
"Over the past few days at Brooks River, one of the area’s most dominant bears, 856, has been incessantly following the adult female 409 Beadnose. 409, many bearcam viewers may remember, raised two yearling cubs last summer, and she was seen with them earlier this spring. Now however, we know she has emancipated her cubs and is once again single. 856, perhaps more than anyone, knows this as well, and his proximity to Beadnose reveals his amorous intentions."
2018.06.21: 409 Beadnose visits the falls twice on June 21, 2018 video by Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA):
Cheryl B's 6/21/2018 video of 409 Beadnose.
2018.06.25 or 2018.06.26: VIP Stacey shared her 2018 409 Beadnose story (p 01/12/20 13:08 ).:
"Here is my Beadnose story:
It was June 2018 — probably June 25 or 26? — and I was working my first ever volunteer shift at Katmai.
I was working in the Visitors Center that day.
It was early in the season, and there hadn’t been a lot of bears around.
But around noon, someone came in to the Visitors Center and reported that a bear had arrived at the Falls, and was fishing the lip!
“But it seems like the bear is hurt,” they said, “because it’s standing on the lip with its paw in the air.”
Well, the Bear wasn’t hurt; it was our beloved 409 Beadnose, in her classic and successful and elegant lip pose — one paw in the air, catching fish after fish after fish.
I saw her a lot in 2018 — both on the lip, and fishing near the platform in the Lower River in the early morning before the people arrived. And then we didn’t see her at all in 2019.
I like to think that where ever she was last summer she was packing on the pounds and getting fat, fat, fat. And I hope that we see her bright and early in 2020, up on the lip where she belongs, one paw in the air."
2018.06.28 or PRIOR: 51 Diver Junior courts 409 Beadnose video by Explore Live Nature Cams:
2018.06.29:
Bearz61 captured this snapshot of 409 Beadnose:
KNP&P shared this NPS photo of 409 Beadnose:
At approximately 45:30 into this Explore Recorder video , 409 Beadnose can be seen on the bank below the viewing platform shortly before going to the far pool.
409 Beadnose -- leaves the viewing platform bank, goes to the far pool, exits up the far bank, seen again near the far pool, returns to the viewing platform bank, goes to the lip -- closer view in the far pool starts near 2:00, closer view near viewing platform bank starts near 25:00. 6/29/18 (2:00 start). Explore Recorder video :
409 Beadnose on the lip, closer views start near 6:00. Some examples of her trademark water slapping are near 6:19, 33:00. 33:23, 33:41, 33:53. 6/29/18 (6:00 start). Explore Recorder video .:
Shel shared these June 29, 2018 snapshots (#1 , #2 , #3 , #4 , #5 , $6 , #7 , #8 , #9 , #10 , #11 , #12 , #13 , #14 , #15 , #16 & #17 ) of 409 Beadnose that are from the same time frame as the 3 Explore Recorder videos above (p 01/12/2020 15:56 ).:
Truman Everts shared this 6/29/2018 photo of 409 Beadnose on 3/25/2020. . "I just ran across this 2018 face shot of beloved 409...and decided we could all use a little 409 today..." Truman Everts shared this 6/29/2018 photo of 409 Beadnose and a 2nd photo on 8/27/2020. Truman Everts shared this 6/29/2020 photo of 409 Beadnose on 8/28/2020.
Please request Truman Everts' permission prior to using his photographs!
Late June 2018 - Early July 2018:[]
2018.06.?? - 2018.07.??: Bookmom shared these late June 2018 or early July 2018 snapshots (#1 , #2 , #3 & #4 ) of 409 Beadnose (p 01/12/2020 06:54 ).:
July 2018:[]
2018.07.??: Park visitor, Mike Weagley captured this July 2018 video of 409 Beadnose eating her fish away from the river when 83 Wayne Brother comes along demonstrating his cowboy walk:
Mike Weagley also captured this July 2018 video of 68. 128 Grazer, 409 Beadnose (with fish), and 775 Lefty on the lip near to far at the beginning of this video. 409 takes her fish closer to the fish ladder to consume her fish. The video then switches to 68 and 856 (left to right) at the 0:36 mark The video then goes back to the bears on the lip and then back again to 68 and 856. The sweeping briefly to 755 Scare D Bear on the North side of the river.:
Mike Weagley also captured this July 2018 video that has 409 Beadnose fishing the lip:
Mike Weagley also captured this July 2018 video of 68 seen begging from 409 Beadnose while 128 Grazer and 775 Lefty fish the lip. When he turns away 856 is seen to the right.:
Mike Weagly also captured this July 2018 video that includes 854 Divot (1st bear seen), 409 Beadnose and 775 Lefty (near to far) on the lip, 68 in the jacuzzi, 747 in the far pool, 480 Otis in the office, and 755 Scare D Bear in the river on the North side by the downriver end of the wall.:
Mike Weagley also captured this July 2018 video of 68 in the jacuzzi, 409 Beadnose and 775 Lefty on the lip (near to far), 747 in the far pool, 480 Otis and 755 Scare D. Bear by the "office" wall on the North side of the river.
2018.07.??: Theresa Bielawski shared this July 2018 photo of 409 Beadnose (left) fishing the lip with 775 Lefty (right) on 5/17/2021. "And here are some Lefty pics from July 2018. Also Lefty & Chunk (911 not 32 Chunk) fishing the lip together and Lefty & Beady on the lip also. All 3 were on the lip fishing together." Theresa Bielawski shared an additional photo of 409 Beadnose on 5/18/2021. The photo shows (left to right) 409 Beadnose, 911 and 775 Lefty. "Here are a couple of 911 farther away and one close-up - from July 2018. With 775 & 409."
Please request Theresa Bielawski's permission prior to using her photographs!
_and_775_Lefty_(right)_July_2018_photo_by_%C2%A9Theresa_Bielawski_.10.jpg "409 Beadnose (left) and 775 Lefty (right) July 2018 photo by ©Theresa Bielawski .10.jpg (796 KB)")
_2018_photo_by_%C2%A9Theresa_Bielawski.jpg "409 Beadnose with 911 and 775 Lefty (left to right) 2018 photo by ©Theresa Bielawski.jpg (721 KB)")
2018.07.02: 409 Beadnose and 747 video by Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA).:
2018.07.05: NWBearLove92 shared a sequence of 7/5/2018 photos of 409 Beadnose on 4/20/2020, #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5. NWBearLove shared 7/5/2018 photos of 409 Beadnose napping on 6/11/2020, #1 and #2.
2018.07.06: 409 Beadnose had an eventful day on the lip...well, and slipping off:
Xander-Sage-2 created this gif of 409 slipping off the lip of the falls into the jacuzzi where 480 Otis was fishing. 128 Grazer was the other bear on the lip with 409.
Erum Chad (aka Erie) captured this video :
KNP&P shared this video on their facebook page.
Flyer747 (aka SteveCA) created this video of 409 Beadnose slipping off the lip. 409 Beadnose slips off the lip of Books Falls, she then comes back and moves 128 Grazer from the lip.:
GreenRiver captured this snapshot of 409 slipping off the lip (p 01/12/2020 09:22 ).
Another tussle on the lip between Aunt Beadnose and Grazer Where Beady goes overboard video by Brenda D. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
2018.07.08: 634 Popeye chases 409 Beadnose in an attempt to steal her fish, video by tsaneda (aka Shovelbum81):
2018.07.10: 409 Beadnose is seen throughout this 7/10/2018 Birgitt video fishing the lip of the falls.
409 Fishing the Lip 747 & 68 Maybe Standoff Mike & Ranger Andrew Live Chat 2018-07-10 20-11-53(explore.org)
Video by Birgitt
2018.07.11: How 775 Lefty almost lost his ear video by tsaneda. 856 attacks an unidentified female at the top of the falls. 775 Lefty steals a fish the hard way from 409 and almost loses his ear in the process. 856 looks on and then after heading down the fish ladder chases an unidentified male. Sometime between 7:00-7:30p AKDT:
During a 7/11/2018 Play by Play with Mike Fitz and Ranger Andrew LaValle, 409 Beadnose and 775 Lefty are seen fishing the lip, video by Brenda D. At 9:34, 775 Lefty challenges 409 Beadnose for her newly caught fish and steals it. 409 can then be seen biting and grabbing 775's right ear at 9:56. Note: Video unavailable as of 2021. Thumbnail left for context.
2018.07.13: 409 Beadnose chasing off her offspring 909 & 910 video by Casper Pike.:
2018.07.20: 451's cub approaches 409 Beadnose on the lip video by Bear Watcher, mckate:
2018.07.25: 151 Walker sits up and begs from 409 Beadnose video by mckate.:
Photographer Mark Kostich captured a 7/25/2018 photo of 409 Beadnose that he shared in chat in October, 2020. 409 is seen (near) on the falls with 812 next to her. Mark's comments: "I thought I would share a quick story/picture from my trip to Brooks Falls in August of this year.
First Image: This is a picture of my favorite bear, Beadnose catching a fish. I took this back in 2018. No one knew that this would be her last season at the falls. (I do not know who is next to her).
Second image (2nd image is on 909's Bear Book Page): When I returned to Brooks Falls this past August, I witnessed a sub-adult fishing the same spot that Beadnose used. The sub-adult was aggressively defending its spot at the point against a bigger bear. It was a very spunky and very vocal bear. When I asked Ranger Sheryl who the small bear was, Sheryl responded, "thats 909, Beadnose's daughter." It was so very cool to see her fish the same point as her mother.
Please request Mark Kostich's permission prior to using his photos!
Permission to post any photos he posts in chat on the Wiki, must say "copyright © Mark Kostich on the photo."
_and_812_(far)_July_25,_2018_photo_by_%C2%A9_Mark_Kostich.jpg "409 Beadnose (near) and 812 (far) July 25, 2018 photo by © Mark Kostich.jpg (1.19 MB)")
2018.07.26: 409 Beadnose video by Flyer 7474 (aka SteveCA):
August 2018:[]
2018.08.06: 409 Beadnose and 128 Grazer video by Birgitt:
September 2018:[]
2018.09.??: Park visitor and cam viewer, Melissa Freels captured this photo of 409 during her September 2018 trip to brooks camp.
2018.09.11: Mckate captured this video of 409 Beadnose enjoying breakfast on the lower river. She sure wasn't letting much of this fish go to waste.:
2018.09.13: 409 Beadnose during Mike Fitz' play-by-play . Video by McKate:
Bookmom captured these snapshots of 409 during Mike Fitz' play-by-play:
McKate captured this video of 409 Beadnose snorkeling and scoring in the lower river.:
2018.09.15: 409 Beadnose video by Birgitt:
2019.09.18: 409 Beadnose with 812 and 719 on the lip video by Lani H.:
2018.09.20: 409 Beadnose and 806 "Little Lip Fisher" flee from 747 video by Birgitt.:
2018.09.29: 409 Beadnose video by Erum Chad (aka Erie).:
October 2018:[]
2018 Fat Bear Week Contest:
409 Beadnose was crowned Fattest Bear 2018 KNP&P's October 10, 2018 News Release : "In the tournament to be the tubbiest on the tundra, bear 409 Beadnose is the undisputed heavyweight champion for 2018. Online fans voted bear 409 “Fattest Bear” in the culmination of Fat Bear Week, a March-Madness style competition on the national park’s social media.
In a final vote on October 9th, 409 Beadnose was crowned champion for the 2nd time in the event’s five-year history. She bested another astoundingly large bear, 747, a boar whose belly barely makes clearance with the ground. A total thirteen bears from the Brooks River area of Katmai National Park were listed in the competition when it began on October 3rd.
Though she was flying solo this year, bear 409 has raised four litters of cubs since being first identified as a subadult bear in 1999. After emancipating two cubs in early this year, she was able to keep all of that savory salmon to herself… allowing her to balloon into the bulging bear that captivated audiences online.
This weight gain is a necessity for bears, as it helps them to survive a long winter of hibernation. Over the course of winter hibernation, a bear could lose up to one third of its body mass. In a few short months, they will have to gain it all back. This transformative weight gain was on full display during Fat Bear Week with “before” and “after” comparison photos.
Since 2012, the bears of Brooks River have been visible to audiences around the world on explore.org’s Bear Cams. Through the cams, available at explore.org/bears, viewers are able to watch online as one of the world’s highest concentrations of bears feed on sockeye salmon the Brooks River. The 24-hour stream provides viewers the opportunity to follow the lives and habits of some of these individual bears."
Keri Lumm reports in this video by b/60 about 409 Beadnose in the 2018 Fat Bear Week contest:
2019:[]
April 2019:[]
2019.04.27: Kam created this artwork of 409 Beadnose, 128 Grazer and 775 Lefty (near to far) inspried by a photo taken in 2018 or prior.
2019 Season:[]
409 Beadnose was not observed using the Brooks River area during the 2019 season. This is the first season that 409 has not been observed at Brooks River since initially being classified as a subadult in 1999.
2020:[]
January 2020:[]
2020.01.12: January 12, 2020 was 409 Beadnose's bear celebration day on the Bearcam comments. Fencepost shared this confession about 409 Beadnose being the bear that got Fencepost addicted to Bearcam.:
"Can't find any of my own (dang!) pics or vids of Beadnose but I wanted to say how much she means to me. I have said this many times but it truly was dear Bearnose who got me hooked here. I found the cams in 2015 and watched a few minutes here, a few there. I still wasn't completely aware of what I was witnessing. Then I saw Beadnose stroll out on the falls. Her mastery of the lip, her smooth style and seemingly effortless catches blew me away. That was it, I couldn't stay away. I was so absorbed with watching the bears it took until the summer of 2016 before I found the chat! D'oh!! Thank You all for taking the pics, making the vids and digging up ones made by others. I know we All hope our darling Beadnose strolls out onto the lip one more time." (p 01/12/2020 07:38 )
2023:[]
February 2023: Deanna Dittloff (aka deelynnd) created this tribute video "Beadnose and Her Legacy." It includes photos and videos from 2002-2022.
Beadnose And Her Legacy includes video & snapshots from Explore
Video by Deanna Dittloff (aka deelynnd)
Known Courting & Mating:[]
2014:[]
634 Popeye Mating:[]
409 Beadnose was observed mating with 634 Popeye on June 19, 2014, NPS photos from KNP&P flickr (#1 & #2 ):
2018:[]
856 Courting:[]
409 Beadnose was courted by 856 June 6, 2018 and the few days prior per Mike Fitz' June 6, 2018 Explore.org blog: Brooks River Bear Mating Season :
"Over the past few days at Brooks River, one of the area’s most dominant bears, 856, has been incessantly following the adult female 409 Beadnose. 409, many bearcam viewers may remember, raised two yearling cubs last summer, and she was seen with them earlier this spring. Now however, we know she has emancipated her cubs and is once again single. 856, perhaps more than anyone, knows this as well, and his proximity to Beadnose reveals his amorous intentions."
409 Beadnose was observed being courted by 856 on the morning of June 16, 2018 per Ranger Russ' June 16, 2018 10:35 comment :
"Good morning from Alaska. I'll be here the next half hour should you have any questions. Yes, we do expect to have the bearcams to be running and the Bear Book out by next week.
There were no bear sightings yesterday. This morning 856 was seen pursuing 409. I was not able to make a photograph, but it was confirmed by several people that they were the bears seen."
51 Diver Junior Courting:[]
51 Diver Junior was observed courting 409 Beadnose on June 28, 2018 or prior. Explore Live Nature Cams video :
Known Litters of Cubs:[]
1st Known Litter, 1 Spring Cub, The Original "Velcro":[]
2004: 1 Spring Cub, 1st Known Litter, The Original "Velcro"[]
In 2004, 409 Beadnose returned to the Brooks River with her 1st known litter of 1 spring cub. This cub was the original "Velcro".
2005: 1 Yearling, 1st Known Litter, Described in NPS bear monitoring data as very large yearling.[]
This yearling is described in NPS bear ID database as "very large" and engaged in long play bouts with 409. 409 and her yearling are seen in this June 25, 2005 photo by Don Abernathy and this July 14, 2005 photo by Mullen Photography.
2nd Known Litter, 3 Spring Cubs, At least 1 female (130 Tundra & Arctic)[]
2007: 3 Spring Cubs, 2nd Known Litter, At least 1 female (130 Tundra & Arctic)[]
In 2007, 409 Beadnose returned to the Brooks River with her 2nd known litter of 3 spring cubs, but soon lost one. One of the cubs was a female that was later independently identified as 130 Tundra. Another cub from this litter was known as "Arctic". "Arctic" was never independently identified as a subadult.
2008: 2 Remaining Yearlings, 2nd Known Litter[]
409 Beadnose raised 130 Tundra and "Arctic" through 2008.
2009: 2 2.5 Year-Old Offspring Successfully Emancipated[]
130 Tundra (female) and "Arctic" were successfully emancipated by 409 Beadnose in 2009.
2013: Could This Really Be "Arctic", 409 Beadnose's 2007 Offspring?:[]
Brooks Lodge's June 30, 2013 12:53 Facebook post with Kara Stenberg's photograph :
"Arctic" on the hunt for Sockeyes this weekend - another great photo from Kara Stenberg:
Mike Fitz, former Katmai National Park & Preserve ranger, has shared with us that "Arctic" was not documented as an independent subadult by park staff nor assigned a bear monitoring number. Mike;s February 6, 2016 comment was:
"We never ID'd that bear ("Arctic") after it was weaned, or if it did return we weren't able to recognize it as 409's offspring."
One thing to note in the comments on the June 30, 2013 Brooks Lodge Facebook post is that Tammy Carmack also participated in that comment thread and did not comment about "Arctic" in Kara Stenberg's photograph not being "Arctic", a female, or 409 Beadnose's offspring. Tammy Carmack may have been in agreement with the information Brooks Lodge posted with the photograph by Kara Stenberg.
3rd Known Litter, 3 Spring Cubs, 2 Females (500 Indy & Possibly 717 ) & 1 Male:[]
2012: 3 Spring Cubs, 3rd Known Litter, 2 Females & 1 Male (500 Indy & Possibly 717 )[]
In 2012, 409 Beadnose returnd to the Brooks River with her 3rd known litter, 2 females & 1 male spring cub. The largest and smallest were females. The middle-sized cub was a male.
2013: 3 Yearlings, 3rd Known Litter, 2 Females & 1 Male[]
In 2013, 409 Beadnose and her 3 yearlings remained as a family group. The largest and smallest were females. The middle-sized yearling was a male.
2014: 3 2.5 Year-Old Offspring Successfully Emancipated[]
In 2014, it is believed that 409 Beadnose successfully emancipated her 3 2.5 year-old offspring. 500 Indy is believed to be the largest of 409's offspring from this litter. There is speculation that 717 is the female runt from 409 Beadnose's 2012 litter.
4th Known Litter, 2 Spring Cubs, 2 Females (909 blonder & 910 darker)[]
2016: 2 Spring Cubs, 4th Known Litter, 2 Females (909 & 910 )[]
In 2016, 409 Beadnose returned to the Brooks River with her 4th known litter, 2 female spring cubs. 909 is believed to be the blonder female offspring and 910 is believed to be the darker female offspring from this 2016 litter.
2017: 2 Yearlings, 4th Known Litter, 2 Females[]
In 2017, 409 Beadnose and her 2 female yearlings remained as a family group. 909 is believed to be the blonder female offspring and 910 is believed to be the darker female offspring from this 2016 litter.
2018: 2 2.5 Year-Old Cubs, 4th Known Litter, 2 Females, Successfully Emancipated[]
In 2018, 409 Beadnose returned to the Brooks River with her 2 female 2.5 year-old cubs on or before May 22, 2018. These two offspring were successfully emancipated during the 2018 season, initially observed and classified as independent subadults. 909 is believed to be the blonder of these two offspring. 910 is believed to be the darker of these two offspring.
Known Relatives:[]
Littermate: 408 CC (Crooked Claw)
Offspring:
2004 Litter: 1 spring cub, "Velcro" (The original "Velcro")
2007 Litter: 130 Tundra & Arctic (individual identification number not known), Speculated
2012 Litter: 500 Indy & 717 (?), Speculated
2016 Litter: 909 & 910, Speculated
Genetics Study Samples Obtained:[]
2005 or 2006: Hair Samples Obtained by Wildlife Biologist, Tamara Olson[]
2016: Successfully Darted by Ranger Michael Saxton[]
409 Beadnose was successfully darted by Ranger Michael Saxton for the genetics study in 2016.
That pink dart retrieves a DNA sample, without ever having to sedate the bear. The goal of this study is to evaluate gene flow throughout Katmai and the surrounding area, particularly across the Aleutian Range.
2017: Successfully Darted by Ranger Michael Saxton[]
409 Beadnose was successfully darted by Ranger Michael Saxton for the genetics study in 2017.
NEED TO INCORPORATE THE BELOW INFORMATION IN THE PROPER SECTIONS ABOVE: NEED TO INCLUDE: 409 BEADNOSE AND 408 CC (CROOKED CLAW) PHOTO BY MIKE FITZ. MIKE POSTED 2018.03.13 18:52. COMMENT LINK: MIKE FITZ 2018.03.13 18:52 COMMENT PHOTO LINK: 409 BEADNOSE (NEAR) w 408 CC (FAR) ADDITIONAL INFO re PHOTO & 408 / 409 IN THESE MIKE FITZ COMMENTS: LINK TO ADD'L INFO COMMENTS Adult female bear
ID Marks and Hints:
409 is a large adult female bear. In the summer, she often appears to have a medium brown to gray coat as she sheds her winter fur. However, her ears are blonde tipped. With brown claws, she often transforms into a medium to dark brown bear by fall. Her ears, however, remain with their blonde tips, which is an easy identifier for this ear. 409 also has an upturned nose which appears to be "beaded" at the tip and lends itself to her nickname of "Beadnose"
Life History:
409 was first identified as a subadult in 2009 and is widely believed to be a sibling of female Bear #408. Often times, especially in the fall, 409 and 408 would often be confused with one another. When not caring for cubs, 409 tends to be one of the fattest bears during the fall along the Brooks River. During the summer months, 409 becomes the poster bear for the iconic shot of a bear catching a fish in its mouth on the lip of Brooks Falls.
409 is a master lip fisher and can be seen standing atop the falls with her signature move of lifting her right front paw up while she's awaiting the jumping salmon. When the salmon jump, she uses her powerful jaw to snatch the fish, but also her right front paw to help hold the fish in her mouth. It almost seems as though 409 can get "frustrated" or "impatient" at times when unsuccessfully fishing the lip as she will use that raised right front paw to "slap" at the water.
During the fall months, and when she is caring for cubs, she is often seen down in the Lower River near the mouth of Brooks River where it flows into Naknek Lake, or walking along the Spit.
409 has had 4 known litters of cubs (2004, 2007, 2012 and 2016) that have produced a known total of 9 cubs. She is believed to be the mother of Bear #130 Tundra (2007 litter) and Bear #500 Indy (2012 litter).
In 2015, 409 won the Fat Bear Tuesday contest judged by bear cam viewers to be the fattest bear of the season.