Ursus arctos horribilis (Grizzly Bear)

Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) are the interior subspecies of brown bears found across Alaska and western North America. Cubs of the year remain dependent on their mother for protection and guidance as they learn to forage, though they begin sampling solid foods early in their first summer. The salmon runs of coastal Alaska, particularly in river systems like the Battle River in Katmai National Park and Preserve, provide a critical seasonal food source that allows bears to build fat reserves before winter denning. This region, part of traditional Yup'ik and Cup'ik lands, remains one of the most productive salmon fisheries in North America and supports one of the largest concentrations of grizzly bears on the continent.