Salmon Biology | Brooks Live Chat

[@explorebears]

Chat starts at 17:53

[@maurad5378]

Gosh, never seen so many bears in one place. The babies riding on mom’s back are adorable.

[@suziephillips2320]

I love the baby bear riding on his mom's back!! The one had 2 babies & she was eating a salmon. Yo mom, we didn't get any!!

[@cmorth2413]

Can’t wait until I view it live!!! Fantastic!

[@mad8598]

I know the salmon are a vital part of the bears’ diet and I vote in every Fat Bear Week. But NGL, when I’m watching the Brook Falls cam I’m cheering for the salmon to make it up the fall, LOL.

[@deborahselincourt8060]

Hi Mike, thank you for this chat. Great topic. We were in the Baltimore area when the cicadas showed up. They were huge and they were everywhere!! Quite a spectacle

[@mikefitz6837]

I bet! I would've loved to have seen it.

[@boomerbear7596]

To study bears involves studying salmon as well and they are fascinating creatures in their own right. Not to mention tasty. 🐟🐟🐟

[@theredrover3217]

Thank you for speaking about the FISH! 🎉 lives and contribution to this cycle of life. 🤗

[@suziephillips2320]

It gives new meaning to "fast food!!"

[@mels1811]

Wonderful video

[@mels4796]

awesome video

[@ilyasnape2086]

Спасибо большое из России 🇷🇺 Смотреть твои видео очень интересно! Жизнь животных просто удивительна!👍

[@marthaanthis3980]

Thank you for this chat. One question is about the pink salmon. Do I remember correctly that they only come back every two years? Is this a year for the pinks? Also, will the UW cam get cleared so that we can see the fish underwater? Thanks.

[@mikefitz6837]

Pink salmon have a unique fixed two-year life span. At Brooks River, they tend to be more abundant on even numbered years. While in Washington State, their runs are typically larger in odd numbered years. Brooks River also doesn't have a substantial pink salmon run, but they are noticeable in August during even-numbered years. The rangers are working on getting to the underwater cam as soon as they can.

[@cmorth2413]

Will there still be a lot of salmon and bears late August?

[@mikefitz6837]

In late August, most salmon are done migrating yet many remain in the river and begin to spawn. The number of bears at the river in late August is variable, but there are usually many around. Greater numbers of bears use the river in September.

[@cmorth2413]

@@mikefitz6837 Thanks for responding, will keep my fingers crossed for late August to see salmon spawn and Bears fishing!

[@latte7026]

Is there a reason why the momma bears dont feed salmon to the baby bears when they are still learning to catch fish