A bear at Katmai National Park / Rebecca Latson
Fat Bear Week's fattest bear bracket reveal will be postponed until October 1 at 3pm AKT [7 p.m. ET] after a fight between two bears resulted in one of the bears being killed. The incident was caught on the live webcams Alaska's Katmai National Park and Preserve uses to allow viewers from around the world watch grizzlies congregate at the Brooks River to stuff themselves with salmon heading into their winter hibernation.
From a release issued by park officials:
This morning bear #469 attacked and killed bear #402 at Brooks River, downriver from Brooks Falls, in Katmai National Park. The incident was witnessed live on the webcams in the park. Because of this incident the Fat Bear Week bracket reveal is postponed until tomorrow at 3 pm AKT (7 pm ET), October 1, 2024, and explore.org hosted a special live public program to discuss the situation earlier today.
National parks like Katmai protect not only the wonders of nature, but also the harsh realities. Each bear seen on the webcams is competing with others to survive.
It's not the only incident to impact the Brooks River falls area where the bears congregate to feed.
Over the past couple of weeks, anglers were caught feeding bears with fish, a dangerous proposition that can result in the bears associating humans with food. As a result, the Brooks River corridor below Brooks Falls is closed to all non-subsistence users.
From the park:
Between September 18 and 29, 2024, there were four known incidents in which a bear received fish from anglers on the Brooks River. In all cases the incident was witnessed by park employees. To prevent further incidents of bears receiving food, the Brooks River corridor will be closed to all non-subsistence users below Brooks Falls effective immediately, and remain closed until October 31, 2024, or until rescinded by the Superintendent. The Brooks River corridor includes 50 yards on either side of the river other than graveled trails connecting to elevated boardwalks within those areas.
Bears receiving fish from anglers creates conditions where the bears can learn to consider people as a source of food, which leads to unsafe conditions. Park visitors should store food and scented items properly and not approach bears within 50 yards. Once a bear acquires human food it may lose its fear of people and become dangerous.
Annual salmon runs at the park support some of the highest densities of brown bears on earth. All fishing within 50 yards of a bear is prohibited. Fishing in the park requires extra care and responsibility to protect people, wildlife, and the experience. Always be prepared to cut or break your line should a bear approach you. Never let a bear acquire a fish from you. All of us play a role in keeping both bears and people safe. You can learn more at www.nps.gov/katm/planyourvisit/fishing.htm.
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