This tour group in Alaska’s Katmai National Park & Preserve certainly got their money’s worth when it comes to wildlife sightings as a pair of brawling grizzly bears sprinted within feet of their position in the heat of battle.
Katmai is world renown for its thriving population of grizzly bears which number in the thousands and can easily be observed at Brooks Camp where they fatten up on salmon. While Brooks Camp is Katmai’s single most popular destination for observing grizzlies in the natural habitat, the apex predators can found throughout the park and there are guide companies tourists can hire to increase their chances of seeing one while remaining safe under the watchful eyes of experts.
The bear guide who took this video offered the following insights on the close encounter:
“As bear guides on the coast of Alaska, we are usually more preoccupied by bears interacting with other bears than we are about a single animal. Thanks to decades of responsible habituation, the bears here don’t mind us and usually worry more about others of their own kind. The biggest threat to a bear is another bear, and oftentimes one’s reaction to another can happen quickly. This is why it’s critical that we constantly stay aware of our surroundings and focus on staying together as a group and positioning ourselves in an area where bears can still move freely amongst us. Anticipation, mindfulness, and respect of their space is the key to successful coexistence.”
While the Katmai’s grizzlies are less prone react to people and other bears at lesser distances than inland grizzly bears, they are still quite dangerous and should be respected at all times. Katmai advises that giving bears space is one of the most important guidelines to follow. Learn more about bear safety at Katmai National Park & Preserve below:
Katmai National Park & Preserve Bear Safety Guidelines:
The best defense is knowledge, preparation, and prevention. Arm yourself with a knowledge of bear biology, ecology, and behavior. Prepare yourself mentally for bear encounters before you visit Katmai, and take action when you are visiting Katmai to prevent bear encounters.
Avoid Close Encounters
Hike and Travel in Groups
Groups of four or more people are typically very safe in bear country. Groups of people are usually noisier and smellier than a single person. Therefore, bears often become aware of groups of people at greater distances, and because of their cumulative size groups of people are also passively intimidating to bears. Hiking and traveling in groups is typically the best way to increase your level of safety in bear country.
Be Alert
Katmai’s bears are mostly diurnal (active during the day) but are also active at night and can be found in all of Katmai’s habitats. Never assume you are in a “bear free” area. Be on the lookout for signs of bears and be especially wary in areas where bears may have trouble detecting you. Sometimes, you might see a bear before it is aware of you. In these situations, back away quietly the same way you came and give the bear space.
Make Noise
In areas where visibility is limited make noise to warn bears of your approach. Brown bears can react defensively if they are surprised. The human voice is the best tool to warn bears of your approach. Bears may not associate other noise makers, such as bells, with people. Please remember that you are not making noise to scare bears away, only to warn them of your approach. Once a bear is aware of your presence it is usually not necessary to make extra noise.
Do Not Approach Bears
You should always avoid interfering with bear movement or foraging activities. If a bear reacts to your presence you are too close. Bears are creatures of habit and habitually use the same travel routes. Many close encounters can be avoided if you move out of a bear’s line of travel before it is close. Additionally, people are prohibited from approaching bears within 50 yards or remaining within 50 yards of a bear using a concentrated food source including, but not limited to, animal carcasses, spawning salmon, and other feeding areas.
Steer Clear of Places with Food that Attract Bears
Salmon streams, mud flats with clams, and sedge meadows are areas that attract bears and consequently people who want to watch them. Anglers are also attracted to streams where salmon are actively spawning.
Since most people visit Katmai to either see bears or fish in streams where bear encounters are likely, it can be difficult to stay clear of areas with food that attract bears. However, please consider fishing when bears are not at peak numbers (like on the Brooks River in June and August) and/or viewing bears at a distance, not, for example, from the middle of a sedge meadow or a salmon stream.