On This Day In Bear Cam History | Otis Arrives Late to Brooks Falls

This was recorded live 7.26.2021
Although later in the season than expected, perhaps the most beloved brown bear to ever grace the bear cams returned to Brooks River in Katmai National Park on July 26, 2021. Otis is an older adult male in his mid 20s. He has several missing or worn teeth and is often forced to yield space to younger, larger bears. Despite the disadvantages he faces, Otis has never lost his fishing skills or patience, proving that he’s a survivor in a difficult environment.
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[@susancoddington6393]

Last year was an epic year for bear lovers especially Otis lovers, I was one who gave up hope but never said it to absolute amazement at the real strength of Otis’s will to survive. Otis a floppy eared bear has given so much joy to so many people Thank You King Otis 🐻❤️

[@GT-mn3bx]

Otis has been sleeping in late the last few years but has been killing it on night shift. He looks great right now.

[@MattHornbeck1263]

It's amazing that this old bear is just living his life. Yet, he has become such a hero to so many and affected so many of us. Every time I see Otis, my day is made slightly better in some way. Many happy days ahead big bear!

[@moonspath1598]

This is my 1st anniversary! On this day last year I put it on for my stressed Lab, soothing waterfall. I walked through and saw Otis 💜 , after a few rough years he looked like I felt. I became invested in his survival and my healing. I was watching the day He walked out of the river and thought about him all winter. It was amazing how He returned with the salmon. I've learned to appreciate all the bears but 💜Otis.

[@susancoddington6393]

That is a beautiful testament to both you and Otis thank you for inspiration 🐻❤️

[@lindagsmith3702]

What a touching story and testimony as to how these bears (animals in general) can heal your heart. ❤️ Thank you for sharing this rather raw…but real, part of your life, and how the King of Katmai showed up right when you needed him. ☺️❤️🐻

[@michellemcfarland9275]

What a difference in how he showed up this year!!! You go Otis!!! We're rooting you on

[@daisybee1439]

All of us love sweet Otis!! We are so happy that he is still with us at the Falls and is doing so well.😀😀

[@TheDemonAnjel]

You are the TRUE KING SWEET OTIS!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!

[@kellyl.7361]

Otis you are one loved bear! 👑🐻♥️

[@christines2016]

Our prayers were answered as Gaia gifted us with more time to spend with the lovely Otis. He has so many lessons to offer us.

[@sbryan2989]

Hey Otis, Love you!! I don't care how much weight you have. You are always my King of Katmai!

[@technohippie2702]

I feel you Otis your a legend buddy we love you and yours ❤❤❤

[@illuminotmereloaded6896]

I remember it well. Thank you for posting this! Mike had just announced the previous day or two that Otis was likely not returning, and as if by magic he appeared the next day! That hunger must have been profound even for Otis, but there was no panic. Really amazing.

[@JeanBrewer]

I could not believe those words! No way I was giving up on Otis that soon! I was worried about his health though. So slow getting around. He seems to be doing well. Those naps are important though.

[@illuminotmereloaded6896]

@@JeanBrewer Indeed they are. I am an avid practitioner of Otis-like naps.

[@sunnysideup5451]

We love you King Otis! So glad you came back fatter this year❤️

[@Alaska_Gal]

Aww…I love him. I used to have a dog named Otis. 💛

[@huskytail]

Otis is so special. All bears are of course but he has something that touches the human heart. I only discovered the bear cams this season but not even two days into it and I was under his charms. Such a special being. When I heard what happened last year my heart squeezed. I would have been extremely sad if I was there waiting for him and seeing him so slim, so slow even now when I know he won the fat bear week and all was well, it's just heartbreaking.

[@fredf8164]

Thanks. He is a legendary bear

[@gatina7713]

I never lost hope. I've lost my mother just a few days earlier last year and I knew he was going to show up. I could not bear the thought of not ever seeing him too.

[@JeanBrewer]

Same here! I just felt he was on his way.

[@suzanh7777]

Tomorrow is the 1 year anniversary of Otis’ late arrival! Hope he attends!🎉

[@user-wx7zr4mj9o]

That moment when we all held our breath and said is it is it Otis we smiled we cried we cheered the King of Katmai had returned Otis forever in my heart

[@intexas9434]

Otis is a pro

[@DoggieFosters]

He really is.

[@kathygregoire9051]

I've been to the falls twice. If you can go, it will be most wonderful experience ever. What you see is just a small part of the incredible beauty and magic of Katmai and the falls. Im sure when i went Otis when he was younger was at the top of the Falls with the younger and stronger bears. As they age they lose their some of their strength but not their other survival skills. When I was there BB Bear was the reigning king. I dont know what his official name wad since the rangers just called him BB Bear. My assumption was it stood for Big Brown Bear because he was huge and scarred due to winning fights. After buying a few rangers drinks we found it that alas it did not stand for Big Brown Bear but Big Bad Bear. A mamma and her 3 cubs got too close to him and where he was at on the big falls and he attacked and killed the 3 cubs in front of all tourists. The Circle of Life up close and personal! Thankfully, it was before the Bear cams!

[@mels1811]

Thank you for another brilliant history info about Otis the Bear and all the bears too

[@nuclearhotseat1550]

Didn't Otis win Fat Bear in 2021? To go from this to that - outstanding!

[@paulalim1476]

Maybe he just overslept last year. It happens!🤷🏻‍♀️❤️

[@stephaniegrubbs3047]

What a happy day that was!

[@vanessawhitneypro]

Always hope Otis is still around... I worry about him... xo

[@mels4796]

thank you for the history about the bears

[@cacu3989]

holy smoke he was so thin!!!

[@maggiegallardo8746]

He is so handsome but very thin. Love 💕 you

[@psycho4agY]

The salmon are late this year, so I’m still hopeful he will show up!❤❤

[@mmsharonmm]

October 2023, Otis is still around. He gained a lot of weight for the winter.

[@janetcarroll8863]

He looks very thin.

[@barbaraurban9824]

He and I arrived on the same day. It was.my first visit to this chat and i could not figure out who this Otis was.

[@tylers8107]

Today is my first day and when I tuned in, the camera was zoomed in on him!

[@douglashurd8652]

He came in 2021 as shown here very light , this year , 2022 heavy but still not the first one for the run , some of these brooks bears range all the way to the tundra for berry season.

[@oldpolak5203]

This was his last year😢

[@dawnmousie3398]

About how old is he

[@susancoddington6393]

Estimated to be about 25 years old he’s a survivor for sure 🐻❤️

[@dawnmousie3398]

@@susancoddington6393 thank you

[@MikeSmith-nx4ct]

He's skinny. Is that normal?

[@susancoddington6393]

He had never come back looking that skinny before,when he first came back he could barely walk,something was definitely wrong with him but by golly he managed to make it back and ended up Fat Bear Champion 2021 he would literally spend 24 hours a day for 3 days in a row sitting in the river eating go take a nap and come back and do it again

[@Grammyofboys]

@@susancoddington6393 Otis is a rock star ❤️❤️❤️

[@susancoddington6393]

@@Grammyofboys Yes he is 🐻❤️

[@JeanBrewer]

@@susancoddington6393 I agree Susan. He was truly struggling when he came back last year.

[@magbo7779]

🐻❤

[@wendydebois1685]

He looks sick and thin. poor guy

[@Adamsbeverly57]

So thin and weak