Update on Divot the Bear
From the Bear Cam Rangers in Katmai National Park:
Earlier today, many of you saw the sow with a single cub at the Lower River. That is believed to have been Divot, 854, now with only one cub. That alone would be news, but it also appears that she has been caught in a wolf snare, broken free, but still has the snare around her neck. From the photos we have, it looks as if it has cut into her neck. Our plan is to attempt to tranquilize her on Tuesday and remove the snare. This is a long shot, as she has not been routinely seen this year and we may not even be able to locate her. Perhaps with fewer Brooks Camp visitors and a fair number of salmon around she will linger just a while longer. Keep your fingers crossed.
*Update at 2pm PST: Divot’s Last Known Location – see photo above. From Ranger Roy, “Divot and cub were seen a few hours ago near Brooks Camp, but have since moved to the creek on the north side of Dumping Mountain and have disappeared into the forest. The biologist who will do the darting is almost here. If she continues up the creek to fish it will nearly be impossible to track her. let’s hope she moves back down to the beach where she can be seen. Unfortunately, the winds are also picking up, which greatly complicates matters.
*Update at 7pm PST: From Ranger Jeanne, “Here is a map [see above] that depicts the locations where 854 Divot was seen. On July 12, I took photos of 854 Divot on the Brooks River. On July 24, bearcam viewer CalliopeJane took a photo of 854 Divot somewhere between Big Creek and Naknek River Camp. I do not have the exact GPS coordinates of the location where CalliopeJane took the photo. The GPS point on the map marks Divot’s location earlier today. When she was first seen this morning, she was on the road moving in the direction of the Brooks Falls trailhead. She traveled down Brooks River, onto the gravel bar, on the beach to Mortuary Point and around the north shore of Dumpling Mountain in just a few hours. The last I heard from Ranger Mike around noon today, she had gone into the woods near the GPS point. Hopefully Rangers Roy and Mike will have an update later tonight.”
*Update at 7:30 pm PST: From Ranger Roy, “Hello all: We are back, and despite seeing Divot and cub briefly, we were unsuccessful at tranquilizing her. Here is what happened:
This morning, Divot and cubs were seen at about 8:30am at Lake Brooks, Rangers began following her on foot and continue dot do so until she reached Dumpling Creek.
She and her cub were last seen fishing Dumpling Creek around 11:00am, and then disappeared up the creek.
Around 1:30, we arrived on scene with the biologist that is licensed to administer tranquilizers. We did a sweep of the heavily forested and steep terrain, and while we saw recent evidence of bear activity, we saw neither of them. We returned to the boats and waited. One boat patrolled the lakeshore looking for her, the other waited where she was last seen. After about 90 minutes, we were preparing to leave and we saw her a few hundred yards down the beach. She rapidly closed the distance faster than we could prepare for the shot and she went right up the creek again. Even if we had been ready we may not have taken the shot because having her head back of the creek again while tranquilized would have made it difficult for us to deal with her and locate her. The park plane was in the area and flew the creek and observed that she continued up the creek. We waited for her return, but had to call it off because after tranquilizing a bear, it takes about 4 hours for them to be fully in control again, and it would have put us out there after dark. We will continue looking for her early Wednesday morning around camp, and will also go back to her little salmon fishing paradise, too.
I was unable to read too far into the thousands of comments, but I get the idea that some have speculated that we have received resistance from above. That is absolutely false. We requested assistance from our regional office and received it within minutes. The perceived delay was not because of red tape, it was purely logistical–Nothing happens fast in bush Alaska. We did not have to get permission from anyone to address the issue, we simply had to locate people with the necessary skills and equipment and then transport them to one of the most remote places on earth, hence the 24hr delay.
The wire that is around her neck may be a snare, or it may be something else. We won’t know for sure until we remove it. Trapping is not allowed in the park, but this sow and cub are easily capable of traveling outside the park in a few days. There is currently no reason to jump to the conclusion that there is poaching in the park. If it is indeed a snare, it may have been accidentally left behind last winter. Trapping is generally done for furs, and this is the wrong season for that. Too much shedding going on.
I will probably edit this again, but I wanted to get an update to you all as soon as possible. Please do not assume that something nefarious is going on when we are silent. We had 8 people on the ground and three in a plane looking for her. All who have been involved in attempting this rescue have Divot’s best interest at heart at all times.”
*Update 7/30 at 10am PST: From Ranger Roy, “Divot was just spotted and we are off to try again. It may be hours before my next update, so please be patient and try not to get sucked into too much speculation. I will give you a full report upon my return.”
*Update 7/30 at 7pm PST: Today, rangers and biologist tranquilized and treated a female bear with a wire snare tightly wound around her neck. The snare was removed and an iodine-like liquid (betadine) was applied to her wound. Look for a live chat with Ranger Roy and Mike about this situation later this week, or join the discussion now in the comments stream on the #bearcam.
Here’s praying for Divot 854 and finding her and removing the snare. Stay safe Ranger Roy…love watching the bears, you are all amazing, thank you!
Stay safe out there, Ranger Roy. That wind makes them a bit jumpy. Saying some prayers for all of you!
Praying for your safety and for you all to find Divot and be able to help her. All these prayers must surely help!
This is a National Park. Who is allowed to set snares? Why would someone set snares? Bears and wolves aren’t exactly good eating, and a deer would probably not get caught.
People in Alaska trap for pelts and food..That is how a lot of Alaskans survive, especially in that area of Alaska.. Some may not like to hear that but it is the Alaskan way .
Who traps for pelts in the summer? Who eats wolves? At best the snare was left by someone too indifferent or too incompetent to retrieve it. Leaving aside the issue of trapping in national parks (if that’s where the snare came from) there is no trapping allowed for moose or caribou or other mammals people actually eat here.
Hmmm, I thought the Rangers have already explained the situation the best they could, and asked that people not speculate. The Rangers are “on the ground”, and are best suited to assessing the situation as it unfolds. To continue to make assumptions is intellectually dishonest, and only serves to drive a wedge between to competing groups who are vying for the same resource. Personally, I don’t like the tone of many of the comments on here – they are not helping. Sorry for the rant, but that’s the way I see it.
Your right, I also lived in Ak, Only the ak Natives need to do that.
I don’t mind trapping for human consumption and use of fur in places other than our National Parks. It’s difficult to even get to Katmai. I have to believe that was an illegal snare.
If you look at a map of Katmai NP you’ll see that Brooks Camp isn’t that far (in bear terms) from public land where trapping is allowed (e.g. Becharof NWR) and private lands north of the Naknek river where it is also legal. The snare on Divot could be an illegal one from within the park, but why would someone take that risk when there is so much land nearby where trapping in season is legal? Much of that land is also much more easily accessed from King Salmon and Naknek.
In any case, it is illegal for a snare to have been left over the summer, not to mention grossly unethical, whatever one may think of trapping otherwise.
Don’t you find it ironic that hunting is allowed in National “preserves”. How can you both preserve and kill in the same place?
At least for me, the question is too complicated to get into with any depth here. I will say, though, that while I’m an unapologetic romantic when it comes to wild creatures and wild places, I’m pragmatic when it comes to preserving habitat and species. That means I’m willing to work with people–on all sides–whose motives I don’t necessarily agree with or even like, if it means protecting habitat.
The way I look at it, if we can just hang onto most of what remains of true wildlife habitat, and true, actual human civilization, the worst of all this will be behind us in a century or two. They don’t have to be protected perfectly, just well enough to get through that time frame. Consider that 100 years ago almost everyone, including naturalists, would have said that something like bear watching at Brooks was pure fantasy that could never happen. Consumerism and human overpopulation obscure it somewhat, but in terms of general attitudes toward animals things are sooooo much better now, on the whole, than they were 100 years ago. Just read first hand accounts from that time and it becomes obvious. Even that was better than the Middle Ages, and let’s not even get into conditions in the Roman Empire…
Our consumerism/overpopulation madness won’t go on forever–it can’t. If we can just make it through with all we can of functional habitat and genuine civilized culture, I truly believe it will be so much better for humanity and wildlife, permanently. We learn slowly but we do eventually learn, if we survive. So, romantic that I am, I’m willing to make a lot of deals and put up with a lot of behavior I don’t agree with (within certain limits) in order to get there. I like to think I’m the only one who feels this way.
That’s about the best answer I can offer.
Carl Ramm: I appreciate your pragmatic and insightful perspective. Thanks for commenting at length.
Your kiddin me….right?
Look up…terminal unique. You will find that you are not alone.
Sorry for the confusion. I meant to say “I like to think I’m not the only one who feels this way” but left the all-important “not” out. Even then it was meant with more than a little irony. I know perfectly well I’m not the only one who feels that way. It was just a failed attempt at saying “I know I’m not the only one…” Anyway, I edited the whole thing out to avoid further misunderstanding. Again, my apologies for the confusion.
Most likely the snare was outside the park. It may not even be a snare.
Ranger Roy. We know you will do everything you can to help Divot. Please staysafe
Sending hopeful thoughts your way that it is successful and everyone stays safe.
Thank you Ranger Roy, and all the others who are out searching for Divot, stay safe, and I hope everything goes well today.♥
I hate to be a kill joy but why are their traps in the first place and why so many people walking around the falls when this is the only time the bears have to fatten up on salmon. Seems to be too many people to me. Should be reserved for the bears..
We were at brooks last year and camped for a week during the peak ibear activity in July and there were many day visitors. The people did not deter the bears from the falls or the river last year. On one day we saw 28 bears at the falls alone, including 6 cubs. Consequently, bears are not at the falls in the same number this year due to other conditions, not the people!
Best of luck to all,
I’ll keep my fingers crossed. Thanks for the update we all know how busy you must be. Stay safe!
I agree with most of you. I too don’t understand how it’s legal to hunt,trap or kill on government land or park. We know all the stories of how they hunt to survive in Alaska . But good lord these bears come here once a year only, so to set traps or snares here is sad. someday you are going to lose your very special Alaskan bears.
It most likely occurred outside the park. Bears can travel great distances, and parks are generally not fenced to keep animals in.
I’m glad to learn you can intervene when necessary. Praying for this Mama bear to be found and freed from the wire safely !!!
Ranger Roy and crew—we bear lovers are certainly glad that you at least had a sighting today… this is an extremely huge task to find a “bear in the woods” and we so thank you all for your efforts and communications… tomorrow may be the lucky day… all positive vibes for a “Divot” sighting tomorrow… sleep well bear crew and again THANK YOU for all you are doing to help Divot!
Thank you for taking the time to keep all informed and updated when you are having a busy day and night. Best of luck tomorrow – everyone is praying and hoping for a good outcome!
Thank you Rangers and please do what you can when you can, most of us are greatful for all you all do , and we will keep the prayers going and the candles lit.
Thank you, Ranger Roy, for taking time to update us. And for your swift response to the situation and to all the people involved with you in trying to help Divot who has been harmed by something of human origin. I’m sorry that you and Ranger Jeanne also had to take time to address the unfounded speculation that nearly overwhelmed the chat last night. Wishes and prayers for success go with you as you try again today.
Thank you Ranger Roy and all the others who are helping in these efforts. The response team is amazing. I’m so grateful and hope for success today!! Thanks for taking the time to keep us updated!! Sending early morning good luck from Maine!!
Ranger Roy.. Thank you for keeping us up to date on Divot.. Stay safe !
Thank You for all you do! We will stay positive. good luck!
Let’s hope that this morning, she and her cub will come waltzing right past the ranger station and you will all be ready and “armed” with tranquilizers. Wouldn’t that be a wonderful scenario?
Can’t even imagine how difficult it must be to first find her and second get close enough to tranquilize her. Trying to round up spooked cattle was hard enough and they didn’t even go into the woods! Thank all involved for your compassion and caring. Stay safe.
To all rangers, that must be like finding a needle in a haystack. I know you are doing your best to find her and I would love to hear what condition the bears are in. Especially the cub. are they eating? Thanks to all of you ♥
Thanks for the detailed update. And thanks for all you do.
We all so hope that all is well with Divot and cub. And also hoping that you will have success today in finding her and sedating her. Lots of luck in all you do, you are the best, all of you.
Thanks for the update. Appreciate so much your efforts in trying to help her. WIshing you success soon.
Thank you so much for all you do and I have no doubt that you have Divot and her cub’s best interest at heart at all times…unfortunately there are always a few that need to jump to conclusions and make things more difficult than what they need to be…thanks again, your efforts and determination are much appreciated by most… be safe and best of luck xx
10 am was the last update? praying for the best
Yes, that’s pacific time.
ok I’m on east coast so that make’s it 1 pm it posted……ok thanks….any word on it at all?
No word yet, rangers have asked us to stand by until later today for updates.
cool thanks…………will keep checking up……so glad I stumbled into this chat stuff the other day
Thank you for all the updates!
Good luck to the rescue team and thanks for the updates.
Tomorrow is World Ranger Day. How about an early shout out to the Katmai rangers going the extra mile to protect Divot, the rest of the bears and our wonderful national park? Who now must add to their duties keeping us informed as we anxiously watch and wait. Thank you SO much!
I am piggy-backing on your thank you! Huge shout out, Hip, Hip Hooray!
ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้Thanks for all you do!!ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้ก็็็็็็็็็็็็็ʕ•͡ᴥ•ʔ ก้้้้้้้้้้้
.•:*¨¨*:•.♥.•:*¨¨*:•.Have a Happy Ranger Day!!.•:*¨¨*:•.♥.•:*¨¨*:•.
Thank you for posting that info! Divot was successfully darted, snare removed and prognosis good. Ranger Roy still busy but will update this blog for sure.
Thank you for the update yesterday. Am still figuring out how to maneuver the websites and this chat function!
I KNOW you are all doing your very best on Divots behalf…never any doubt! BE SAFE, and Gods’ speed to you.
Take your time & hopefully patience & luck will pay off for Divot!!! Be safe
So happy for Divot & co. Thanks so much to the Rangers and all those involved.
Wonderful job in removing the snare.
This is all we were praying for. sounds like the cub is ok too..happy days ♥
is there news?
Wow that is pretty darn cool!!!! You guys are true HEROS!!!!!! My question is what do you do with the cub while all this is happening?
Here’s a summary from the postings. The rangers reported that the cub stayed nearby (sometimes as close as 30 feet). It wanted to be with its mother but was not aggressive. It rejoined Divot as she was recovering from the tranquilizer. It nursed, played and fished. All in all it seemed to handle it very well.
Please show pictures of the procedure. Is it thought that 2nd cub was caught in a snare? Thank you for your extraordinary efforts!
Hi Nancy: The rangers posted photos of today’s rescue on the Brooks Falls Explore site. You will find much more information and several photos there. There is “no” evidence that the second cub was caught in a snare. That was just speculation that someone posted. Its whereabouts and fate are unknown.
Thank you, Doctor Lawson! Will check it out. Appreciate the rangers, cams, blog, and discussion.
Great news!! Hats off to you both rangers and biologist 🙂 Thanks so much for helping her. So happy she is free of that wire! 🙂
Hope you have a chat tomorrow to fill us all in on the adventure.
This is what I prayed for. Thank you, Rangers, for saving this precious bear and her cub.
Great news
What an amazing job the rangers and biologist have done to help Divot. You are all truly incredible and I thank you all for all the effort you have put in to rescue this beautiful bear & ensure her & her cub’s well being .
Animals are amazing creatures & can recovery from terrible injuries so I’m very hopeful she will do well & go on to lead a long life in Katmai. Hopefully raising many more cubs along the way.
And I loved reading everyone else’s well wishes too. It is heartening to see so many other people who care so much about nature.
Simply outstanding!!!
wow, amazing work to save an amazing animal – should they have names in place of a number – nina
Divot and I thank you!
oh thank you thank you for letting us know Divot has been found And treated.Snares should be outlawed is all ill say on that. I am so very thankful for you an all the many ppl involved in this.Thank you from a Wildlife Lover an will be watching when the cam is back up. Just love watchin those bears an hoping they all get a good amount of fish to sustain them
A job well done Rangers – happy to hear of the positive outcome. Tnx again 4 your efforts.