Unusual Winter Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) Sighting

Observation by Angela Johnson:

Nobody has ever seen a bear in the middle of January here in Nelson Lagoon. This is some strange and abnormal bear action.

Comments from LEO Editors:

This post follows another recent winter bear sighting in King Cove reported by Anne Morris, and has been forwarded to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

In a 2013 post about an active winter bear in the nearby community of Port Heiden, Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) biologist Lem Butler wrote,

"Brown bear activity during the winter is not common, but it’s not unheard of. In the past, we’ve received reports of bear activity during every month of the year on the Alaska Peninsula, even though the vast majority are in their dens from Nov 15 – May 15. Bears sighted during the winter are often older bears that aren’t in good enough condition to spend the winter in their dens. However, we have seen bears abandon den sites that have been disturbed, and we’ve also seen orphaned cubs that are still active as late as January. Bears that are active during the winter should be given extra space. The bear may be more prone to aggressive behavior if it is hungry or if it’s been recently disturbed. If the bear does exhibit unusual behavior, the individual or community should contact the King Salmon ADF&G office (907-246-3340) or the Alaska Troopers (907-246-3307)."

However, in some parts of Alaska, bear/human interactions increased during 2020. In Southeast Alaska, Juneau-based ADF&G biologists theorized that unusual bear activity was related to a decrease in the availability of fish, berries, and other wild foods. Cold weather and few food options usually prompt bears to den for the winter, but ADF&G continued to report bear activity in Haines during November after an unusually heavy snowfall. Biologists encourage people to make sure that all human food and garbage is secured, limiting any enticements that may keep bears from hibernating.