Brown Bears Wrestling in Spray, Katmai

Two brown bears wrestle in shallow river water, sending spray in all directions as they grapple. These bouts between adults in Katmai often look brutal but rarely end in serious injury; they are part of the ongoing sort-out of rank at productive fishing locations along the river system.

The salmon-fueled bear density at Katmai creates constant interaction between bears that would otherwise spread out over enormous territories. That compression is what produces the wrestling, the chases, and the rest of the behavior this park is known for.

Brown bears, Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska. Ursus arctos. Photo © copyright by Carl Donohue.

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