fatbearweek

07/23/2026

Quiet, elusive, and built for life in the wild. The lynx is one of Katmai’s lesser-seen residents, but they play an important role in the park’s ecosystem. With oversized paws that act like snowshoes and long legs built for moving through deep snow, lynx are perfectly adapted to Alaska’s winters.

You may not see them often, but they’re out there.

07/22/2026

It doesn’t get better than this

07/20/2026

We're jumping into a new week!

Fishing for salmon isn't always as simple as standing in one spot and waiting for a meal to swim by. Bears use all kinds of techniques to catch their food, from patiently waiting in the current to chasing salmon through the rapids. Every bear has its own fishing style, and watching them gives us a glimpse into how they adapt to life along the river.

07/20/2026

A little Monday morning cuteness from the weekend!

The 806 family and the 17 family spent some time together by the river, making for the sweetest start to the week.

Did you have a favorite moment from the explore.org bearcams this weekend?

07/13/2026

Did you know that despite the aggressive reputation they can get, brown bears rarely get into real fights on the river?

The scuffles and charges you see are less "fight" and more tense negotiation. Instead of biting and clawing, bears use posturing, vocalizations, and scent to sort out a hierarchy, a constant back-and-forth conversation about who gets space and who yields it.

Case in point: this clip shows 806 posturing to keep 128 Grazer from heading off the lip, because that's the direction of 128JR (Grazer's cub, adopted by 806) and 806's own cub. No fighting required, just body language doing the talking.

📹: Explore.org

07/10/2026

The perfect summer body in Katmai? Round.

All summer long, brown bears work to build the fat reserves they'll need to survive the winter. Every salmon caught is another step toward a healthy hibernation season.

Around here, getting bigger is part of the plan.

07/09/2026

Friendship looks a little different in Katmai.

Most brown bears are solitary, but every summer Katmai reminds us that there are exceptions. Bears who know each other often tolerate sharing the best fishing spots, siblings may spend time together after leaving their mother, and young bears learn by watching those around them. Even the space they give one another is part of an unspoken understanding.

Send this to a friend to let them know you’re thinking of them.

07/08/2026

Don't forget: explore.org is hosting a Bear Cam Celebration with Charlie Annenberg today at 4:00 PM ET. We can't wait to tune in, and we hope to see you there!

Watch live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhmmvW0keqU

Mike Fitz & Charlie Annenberg celebrate Bear Cam 2026. Watch the ...

07/08/2026

There are few places where you can watch a wild brown bear simply existing.

Fishing. Napping. Playing. Raising cubs. Wandering the river. Every moment is a reminder that these animals are exactly where they're meant to be. Protecting places like Katmai means future generations will have the chance to witness these moments too. Thank you for helping keep it wild.

07/07/2026

One of the highlights of every bear season is watching the cubs grow.

This year, Katmai is full of young bears learning alongside their mothers, from curious spring cubs to adventurous yearlings. Every fishing lesson, wrestling match, and playful splash is helping prepare them for life in the wild.

Which family has been your favorite to watch this season?

(Photo from an earlier season.)