August 2024 Brooks Falls Fat Bear Report: A Season of Change and Survival
August has been an eventful month at Brooks Falls, where the drama of the wild plays out in real time. Last month, an intense altercation between two of Katmai’s most famous bears, Grazer and Chunk, ended in tragedy. Grazer’s cub, in a heartbreaking turn of events, was thrown down the river by Chunk and went over the falls, sparking a fierce brawl between the two adult bears. Sadly, Grazer now only has one cub by her side.
As summer progresses, the dynamics at Brooks Falls are shifting. According to our guide Wyatt, “Because the fish are in their spawning period, the bears have to look for food in additional areas of the park. The bears are still eating at the falls, but are also more dispersed around Katmai, eating from different rivers and areas to continue to bulk up. You will be bumping into bears all around the park!”
This time of year brings not only the salmon but also a bounty of fresh berries, which are now ripening all over the park. As Devin, one of our guides, notes, “The bears are all over the park eating them.” This abundance of food is crucial for the bears as they prepare for hibernation, and it offers visitors an incredible opportunity to witness these magnificent creatures in various settings across Katmai.
Whether you’re watching the bears fish at Brooks Falls or spotting them foraging for berries in the wild, August is an unforgettable time to experience the raw beauty of Katmai National Park. The bears are in a frenzy to fatten up for winter, making it one of the most exciting and unpredictable times to visit.
Join us at Alaska’s Gold Creek Lodge for an unforgettable Alaskan adventure and witness these incredible moments firsthand. The season is fleeting, but the memories you’ll make will last a lifetime.