Species MammalsAlaska Peninsula Brown Bear

Alaska Peninsula Brown Bear

Ursus arctos gyas

UncommonMammal
Illustration of Alaska Peninsula Brown Bear (Ursus arctos gyas)
Safety note: Dangerous — observe from a safe distance.

The Alaska Peninsula Brown Bear is a salmon-specialist brown bear of the Alaska Peninsula and Katmai National Park, where hundreds of bears gather each summer at McNeil River and Brooks Falls to intercept migrating sockeye salmon. These bears can gain 3 pounds per day during peak salmon runs as they fatten for hibernation. The dramatic bear-salmon interactions at Katmai draw international wildlife photographers.

Habitat
Coastal Alaska Peninsula forests, tundra, and salmon rivers
Diet
Salmon, berries, sedges, ground squirrels, and roots
How common
Uncommon

Best time to see a Alaska Peninsula Brown Bear

The best time to see a Alaska Peninsula Brown Bear is June–August, when about 72% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 181 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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