Bear #910: A Remarkable Tale of Maternal Love and Wild Survival in Katmai

Down in the breathtaking wilderness of Katmai National Park and Preserve, along the famed Brooks River in Alaska, there lives a truly remarkable brown bear known as #910. She's a robust female, approximately ten and a half years old, and she’s already making waves as a formidable contender for Fat Bear Week 2026, an annual celebration of the park's biggest and most successful bears.

But her story isn't just about gaining weight for winter; it's about an astonishing act of maternal compassion. Back in 2022, #910 did something incredibly rare, something almost unheard of in the wild: she adopted her sister #909's two-and-a-half-year-old female cub. Imagine that! Not only was she caring for her own spring cub at the time, but she took on an additional responsibility, essentially becoming a foster mother. This extraordinary feat of surrogate parenting was so significant that it was later documented and published in the scientific journal BioOne in 2025, cementing her place in the annals of bear behavior.

Now, as we look ahead to late September 2026, the excitement builds for Fat Bear Week, where #910 is once again in the running. She’s definitely one to watch, especially after her impressive showing last year. Though she was ultimately eliminated in the second round of Fat Bear Week 2025 by the mighty Bear #856, her resilience and ability to pack on the pounds prove she's a serious contender for the crown this time around.

However, the life of a bear at Brooks River, even for a nurturing mother like #910, is not without its brutal challenges. The summer of 2026 has, sadly, brought to light some of the harsher realities of survival in the wild, particularly concerning the vulnerability of young cubs.

Just recently, on July 28th, a chilling incident unfolded that left park staff and bear enthusiasts quite shaken. For the very first time at Brooks River, a documented case of infanticide by a female adult bear was observed. Bear #806, an unrelated mother, tragically killed and ate one of Bear #909’s spring cubs. Naturalist Mike Fitz, along with park rangers Christine Loberg and Sarah Bruce, all weighed in on this somber event, highlighting its unprecedented nature for the area. It’s a stark reminder that even within the seemingly idyllic setting of Katmai, nature’s raw, unforgiving side can emerge.

Then, a few days later, on August 2nd, another distressing event occurred. One of Bear #335’s cubs, affectionately known as Jolly, succumbed after an attack by an unknown mother bear who was protecting her own three cubs up a tree. While the identity of the attacking mother wasn't confirmed, it further underscored the immense dangers young cubs face, even from other females who are usually quite protective of their kin and tolerant of others, but can be incredibly territorial when it comes to their offspring.

These recent tragedies serve as a poignant counterpoint to the incredible story of Bear #910. Her unique act of adoption showcases the boundless capacity for care, while the infanticide incidents reveal the brutal, often desperate, struggle for survival in the animal kingdom. Both remind us of the complex, awe-inspiring, and sometimes heartbreaking drama that unfolds daily in places like Katmai, where every bear, especially a mother like #910, navigates a world of both profound connection and primal instinct.