BRISTOL BAY, Alaska – Bristol Bay in Alaska can see some massive tide changes throughout the year. During some of the biggest changes of the year, some parts, like the Naknek River, can see tides up to 29.4 feet. So it’s not much of a surprise that brown bears might occasionally wander the flats left behind by the tide, searching for some leftover fish or other food.
The most well known brown bears of Alaska are probably those living in Katmai National Park. Katmai isn’t on Bristol Bay but it is s pretty close, and brown bears can have a range of 70 to 400 square miles, so it’s not impossible that the bear in this video makes its way around there.
Brown bears are technically the same species as grizzly bears, but they aren’t exactly the same. A brown bear is coastal, living off marine food sources, and generally a bit larger, while grizzly bears are more inland, a bit smaller, and sometimes a bit more aggressive.
Alaska Fish & Game On Giving Bears Space
- “Every bear has a “personal space”– the distance within which the bear feels threatened. If you enter that space, the bear may become aggressive.
- Give female bears extra space. Female bears are especially fierce defenders of their young and may respond aggressively if they perceive a threat to their cubs.
- When photographing bears, use your zoom; getting close could put you in danger.
- Bears, like humans, use trails and roads. Don’t set up camp close to a trail they might use.
- Avoid areas where you see or smell carcasses of fish or other animals, or see scavengers congregated. A bear’s food may be near. If the bear is around, it may defend its cache aggressively.“