Alaska – A wild video shared by Bill Shawler captured the jaw-dropping moment a bald eagle attacked a grizzly bear on the banks of the Naknek River in Alaska right in front of a few fisherman who were boating along the river.
It seems likely that the eagle attacked in an effort to get the bear out of its territory or away from its young. The clip left us wondering about Alaskan grizzly bears and exactly what’s going on in the video, so let’s take a look at some facts about grizzly bears and bald eagles in Alaska.
Alaska Bald Eagle Facts:
- The bald eagle is the largest bird of prey in Alaska with a wing span of up to 7.5 feet.
- The Alaska bald eagle population is estimated at around 30,000 birds.
- Bald eagles primarily feed on fish, but they’ll prey on waterfowl, small mammals, sea urchins, clams, crabs, and carrion.
- Adult and nesting eagles will defend their territories, especially in areas that provide abundant rodents.
Alaska Grizzly Bear Facts:
- Alaska is home to black bears, grizzly bears, and polar bears.
- Grizzly bears and brown bears are classified as the same species.
- Brown bears are typically found on the southern coast of the state, feeding on the seasonally abundant spawning salmon.
- Grizzly bears are typically found in the northern and interior parts of the state.
- Grizzly bears feed on salmon, berries, grasses, sedges, cow parsnip, ground squirrels, carrion, roots, and mammals both small and large.
Alaska Bear Safety:
If You See a Bear
- If the bear appears not to have sensed you, move away without alerting it. Keep your eyes on the bear.
- If the bear does notice you, face the bear, stand your ground and talk to it calmly. Let the bear know you are human. Talk in a normal voice. Help the bear recognize you. Try to appear larger by standing close to others in your group or wave your arms slowly above your head. Try to back away slowly, but if the bear follows, stop and hold your ground. Prepare your deterrent if you have one.
- If a bear cannot tell what you are, it may come closer or stand on its hind legs to get a better look or smell. A standing bear is usually curious, not threatening.
- If you take the above actions and the bear continues to focus on you or approach, you should become more assertive: raise your voice, beat on pans, use noisemakers, throw rocks or sticks. Use your deterrent if you have one. Drive a bear off rather than let it follow you. If you are with others, group together to look big and stand your ground.
