Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G)
Website: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/
The ADF&G offers extensive information on the wildlife of Alaska, including bear species. They have specific pages dedicated to bear safety, biology, and management.
National Park Service (NPS) - Alaska Region
Website: https://www.nps.gov/akso/nature/bears/bears.cfm
The National Park Service provides valuable information about bears that reside in national parks across Alaska. Their website includes bear safety tips, research, and management practices.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC)
Website: https://www.alaskawildlife.org/
AWCC focuses on the conservation of wildlife and offers information on the bears they rescue and care for, along with educational material on various species.
Bear Trust International
Website: http://www.beartrust.org/
Although not Alaska-specific, Bear Trust International offers comprehensive research and resources about all bear species, including those found in Alaska.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks
Website: https://www.uaf.edu/news/polar-bears-of-the-past-survived-warmth.php
They often have research publications and educational resources about Alaska's wildlife. Look into their various departments such as the Institute of Arctic Biology.
Katmai National Park's Bearcam
Website: https://explore.org/livecams/brown-bears/brown-bear-salmon-cam-brooks-falls
While not strictly informational, this webcam offers live footage of brown bears at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park during salmon season. It's a fantastic way to observe these bears in their natural habitat.
Always remember to verify information across multiple sources to ensure accuracy, especially if you're using the details for scientific or educational purposes.
Specific Information about Brown Bears can be found at these sites:
Katmai National Park, located in southern Alaska, is renowned for its stunning volcanic landscapes, the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, and the world-famous Brooks Falls where brown bears can be seen catching salmon. Here are some websites that offer detailed information about the park:
National Park Service (NPS) - Katmai National Park & Preserve:
URL: https://www.nps.gov/katm/index.htm
This is the official site for the park managed by the U.S. National Park Service. It provides comprehensive information on visiting the park, its history, and current events.
Explore.org - Bear Cams:
URL: https://explore.org/livecams/brown-bears/brown-bear-salmon-cam-brooks-falls
Explore.org offers several live webcams stationed at various points in the park. The most famous is the Brooks Falls cam, where viewers can watch bears fishing for salmon in real-time during the salmon run season.
Alaska.org - Katmai National Park Guide:
URL: https://www.alaska.org/destination/katmai-national-park
A comprehensive guide that provides travel tips, suggestions on things to do, and an overview of the park's highlights.
Katmai Conservancy:
URL: https://katmaiconservancy.org/
The Katmai Conservancy is the official non-profit partner of Katmai National Park and Preserve. The website provides details on their conservation efforts, educational programs, and how you can support their mission.
TripAdvisor - Katmai National Park and Preserve:
TripAdvisor is a great resource for traveler reviews, photos, and tips from those who have visited the park.
Various Blogs & Travel Articles: Many travelers and nature enthusiasts have written about their experiences in Katmai. Searching for "Katmai National Park blogs" or similar phrases will yield a plethora of personal accounts, photographs, and recommendations.
When planning a trip or just learning about the park, it's always a good idea to cross-reference multiple sources to get a well-rounded view. Remember to always check the official NPS site for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding park conditions, regulations, and safety guidelines.
Hibernation: Some species of bears, like the brown bear and black bear, hibernate during the winter months to conserve energy.
Variety: There are eight species of bears: American black bear, Asiatic black bear, brown bear, polar bear, giant panda, Andean bear, sloth bear, and sun bear.
Diet: While many people think of bears as strictly carnivorous, most bear species are omnivorous, eating a wide variety of foods including plants, insects, and animals.
Endangered: The giant panda and the polar bear are both listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which means they face a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Swimmers: Polar bears are powerful swimmers and can cover significant distances in the ocean in search of food.
Smell: Bears have an incredibly keen sense of smell, which is even better than that of dogs.
Longevity: In the wild, bears can live 20-30 years, but in captivity, they can live into their 40s or even 50s.
Communication: Bears use various vocalizations, body movements, and scents to communicate with one another.
Cubs: Female bears give birth during their hibernation period, and the cubs stay with their mother for about a year and a half to two years.
Solitary: Most bear species are solitary creatures, with the exception of mothers with cubs and occasional gatherings where food is abundant.
Honey Lovers: While bears do eat honey, they're often more interested in the energy-rich bee larvae found in the beehive.
Polar and Penguins: Contrary to some popular belief, polar bears do not live in the same region as penguins. Polar bears are found in the Arctic, while penguins are native to the Southern Hemisphere, particularly Antarctica.
Always Hibernating: Not all bear species hibernate. For example, the Andean bear doesn't truly hibernate.
Bears Love Campfire Food: In many popular depictions, bears are shown raiding campfires for marshmallows and hotdogs. While bears might be attracted to the smell of food, they aren't specifically looking for these treats.
All Bears are Carnivorous: As mentioned before, most bear species are omnivores. The giant panda primarily eats bamboo.
Bears Can't Run Downhill: There's a myth that bears can't run downhill. This is untrue; bears are agile and can run both uphill and downhill.
All Bears Hibernate: While many bear species hibernate, some like the polar bear and Andean bear do not have a true hibernation period.
Bears are Slow: Despite their bulky size, bears can run at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour (48 km/h).
Cuddly Creatures: Although they can look cute and cuddly, especially as cubs, wild bears are powerful predators and should always be treated with caution.
All Black Bears are Black: While many black bears are, indeed, black, they can also come in a variety of other colors, including brown, cinnamon, and even white (known as the Kermode or "spirit" bear).
Always remember, it's essential to treat wild animals with respect and maintain a safe distance, especially with creatures as powerful as bears.
Food Source for Bears and Other Wildlife: Katmai National Park is world-famous for its large population of brown bears. The Brooks River, in particular, is a popular spot where bears can be seen fishing for salmon. The abundance of salmon during spawning season provides the bears with the nutrition they need to survive the long winter hibernation. The salmon are not only vital for the brown bears but also for birds, smaller mammals, and other wildlife in the area.
Nutrient Cycling: When salmon return from the ocean to freshwater systems to spawn, they bring with them marine-derived nutrients. After spawning, the salmon die and their carcasses decompose, releasing these nutrients into the freshwater systems. This nutrient cycling supports a myriad of freshwater organisms, from small invertebrates to larger fish species.
Economic and Cultural Importance: Salmon have long been a central part of the culture and subsistence lifestyle of the indigenous Alaskan peoples. Additionally, the spectacle of bears fishing for salmon at places like Brooks Falls draws tourists from around the world, generating significant revenue for the region.
Support for Plant Life: The nutrients from decomposing salmon carcasses can be taken up by plants, enriching the soil and promoting lush vegetation growth along riverbanks. This supports a healthy riparian habitat, which in turn has benefits for other species.
Biodiversity: Salmon support a diverse array of life forms. Many insects and smaller fish feed on salmon eggs, while the adult salmon are prey for bears, eagles, and other large predators. Their presence contributes to a richer and more diverse ecosystem.
Sources:
National Park Service (NPS) official website and documents related to Katmai National Park.
"The Ecology of Salmon in Alaska's Bristol Bay Region: A Literature Review" from the Bristol Bay Heritage Land Trust.
Quinn, T.P. (2005).
The Behavior and Ecology of Pacific Salmon and Trout. University of Washington Press.
Gende, S. M., Edwards, R. T., Willson, M. F., & Wipfli, M. S. (2002). Pacific salmon in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. BioScience, 52(10), 917-928.
Authors:Alina L. Evans, Boris Fuchs, Navinder J. Singh, Alexandra Thiel, Sylvain Giroud, Stephane Blanc, et al.
From:Frontiers in Zoology (Vol. 20, Issue 1) Peer-Reviewed
Aug. 17, 20237,441 wordsReport1360L
Authors:A. L. Evans, N. J. Singh, A. Friebe, J. M. Arnemo, T. G. Laske, O. Frobert, et al.
From:Frontiers in Zoology (Vol. 13, Issue 7) Peer-Reviewed
Feb. 11, 20168,830 wordsReport1460L
Authors:Oivind Toien, John Blake, Dale M. Edgar, Dennis A. Grahn, H. Craig Heller, and Brian M. Barnes
From:Science (Vol. 331, Issue 6019) Peer-Reviewed
Feb. 18, 2011121 wordsAuthor abstract, Rep...