Many of the Brown Bears of Alaska’s Katmai National Park return each summer to Brooks River to get fat on the salmon making their way upstream. Viewers return to see the bears they’ve come to know through the seasons. Let’s meet Holly (Bear 435) and her family!
Holly is the supermom with two cubs, a family that Katmai’s Ranger Roy Wood has described as “nontraditional.” The trio made a splash among Katmai bear observers last summer when a yearling was abandoned at Brooks Falls. The bear had taken refuge in a tree but had no access to food and could have been killed by adult male bears fishing in the falls.
Holly saved the abandoned bear’s life, provided protection and taught it to fish. They were spotted together recently at Brooks River. Check out Ranger Mike Fitz’s update on the family.
