Professional sports team mascots live dangerously earning their keep by put their bodies on the line to keep audiences entertained with high octane comic relief. Usually it’s acrobatic halftime shows that put them in peril but for the Seattle Kraken’s mascot Buoy it was during social media video shoot on an Alaskan river. Buoy and Kraken center John Hayden were fishing at at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park when an adult grizzly bear emerged from the woods and charged the pair.
TROLL NARROWLY ESCAPES BEAR ENCOUNTER🤯🧌🐻
*no trolls or bears were hurt in the making, always respect wildlife in their natural habitat 🩶 pic.twitter.com/WBvw9RFkS0
— Buoy (@SEAbuoy) July 31, 2025
Thankfully the camera crew was paying attention and alerted the pair that the bear was in hot pursuit:
“I want to blame it Bouy. They were pretty interested in his whole look. We got out of it okay but it was a close call.” -John Hayden
Buoy, the Seattle Kraken’s mascot
Buoy, the Seattle Kraken’s mascot, is a 6-foot-tall, blue-haired sea troll inspired by the iconic Fremont Troll sculpture under Seattle’s Aurora Bridge. Introduced on October 1, 2022, before a preseason game at Climate Pledge Arena, Buoy’s debut involved rappelling from the rafters, captivating fans. His design, featuring a chipped tooth, anchor earring, and a tentacle in his hair, nods to hockey culture and the Kraken’s nautical theme. As the nephew of the Fremont Troll, Buoy embodies Seattle’s quirky spirit, with a squeaky nose and removable tooth for a kid-friendly appeal. He’s known for his “Buoy Boogie” dance and loves music, reportedly jamming with local band Mudhoney. Buoy’s favorite meal—shark with maple leaf seasoning—pokes fun at rival teams. Despite mixed fan reactions, with some comparing him to Gritty, Buoy remains a unique ambassador, engaging fans at games and community events.
Katmai National Park Guide To Fishing Around Bears:
The park’s annual salmon runs support some of the highest densities of brown bears on earth. No matter when you visit, fishing in Katmai requires extra care and responsibility to protect people, wildlife, and the experience.
A splashing fish sounds like food to a bear. Bears will often move in your direction to investigate a fish on a line. Always be prepared to cut or break your line, so that you can free the fish and move out of the water until the bear passes. Never let a bear acquire a fish from you.
It is easy to become so engaged in fishing, that you forget to be alert for bears. They are surprisingly quiet and difficult to see in dense grass or tall brush, so always have someone spot bears for you.
At minimum, keep 50 yards between yourself and all bears. All fishing must cease when a bear is within 50 yards of you. No lures or flies can remain in the water. Stop fishing and move away well before a bear approaches within 50 yards. If bear is close and you hook a fish, you must lose your tackle to break your line or find yourself in a situation with a bear pursuing your fish.
RELATED: Grizzly Chase Startles Hikers Off Trail @ Katmai National Park
