What's Up With All The 4th Summer Cubs?

[@bettyandthebeakers]

Mike, Thanks for coming on to address this interesting turn of events of 4th summer cubs. I agree it makes sense due to food availability last summer. It goes to show you how vital the salmon food source is to these amazing Katmai bears- all a part of an essential to a healthy ecosystem. It should be interesting to see the advantages these crews of mom and 4th year cubs attain and how they are received. Love Explore! Love the Bears!

[@mnm25479]

What a phenomenon this season. 😍So cute to see these huge fluffy cubs hanging on to their moms like babies. Reminds me sorta like young adults who haven't moved out of their parents basements 😅. Basement cubs!😄

[@jeanettemill1425]

I remember Grazer and her 2 giant cubs clearing the lip last year just by walking into the water. Bears scattered in all directions

[@theck672]

Thanks for this educational information… it helps a lot❣️🐻❤️🐻❤️🐻❤️🐻❤️🐻❤️

[@rogertemple7193]

They are very awesome beautiful bears and they live in the most beautiful countryside there thank you.💕🐻🐻💕

[@roximama]

Biologically speaking it makes sense that with the weird salmon run last year these older cubs may have nursed in the den more than they would have if they were able to bulk up more over summer. The steady demand for and production of milk can prevent the mother's estrus cycle and allow her to keep them if she wants to. It may even explain 719's late season estrus if her cub just stopped nursing and started just eating fish earlier this season so she stopped producing milk and her body went into estrus.

[@Londonechoes]

So Cute!

[@freedomthroughspirit]

🤩 Thanks Mike and team!

[@lean_sumek]

Lovely Bears😊🥰🤣

[@LaurieLeeAnnie]

As human cubs can testify, it’s expensive to live on your own. All our cubs are moving back home too! 😂

[@wendyhood1006]

That’s it your spot on 😂

[@christmassnow1972]

Don't compare these beautiful living creatures with evil, savage humans.

[@girlboss7807]

It's wonderful!!! 🐻🧸🧸 Family ❤✨💞🐟🐟🏞

[@daisybee1439]

The cubs will be learning more from their moms and getting more experience which will assist them when they are on their own. Soak up your moms' wisdom cubbies! 😀😀

[@KathyEly-f5c]

Awwwww ❤❤❤❤❤ smushy face I just wanna hug 😢but I can't 😮😮😮😮

[@srvntlilly]

It's so frustrating isn't it? I just love them so much.

[@KathyEly-f5c]

@@srvntlilly agree they are beautiful ❤️❤️

[@JuneWood-qh5py]

Is it possible that they have found it more rewarding to stay together as a family group such as more security protection more food and companionship is it possible they could have evolved to change their patterns ty

[@christmassnow1972]

Hug them and love ❤️ them from far away. They are breathtakingly beautiful living beings. They are not teddy bears!!

[@emilymiller4535]

Big babies ❤

[@janicekitchen1111]

I think it’s like humans….the kids just won’t move out! They tell their parents that they will just stay in the basement and no one will know they are there. Except everyone knows they are there.😂😂😂

[@Rodmanvt]

All about food with bears

[@LASadvgrrl]

Has anyone seen OTIS?

[@wendyhood1006]

Not yet 😢

[@karacook7413]

Will there be more coys next year or 2026?

[@Gram-Eof3]

I guess you will not know yet but won't this affect the bear population? This will be 4 females that didn't mate.

[@mikefitz6837]

Thankfully, Katmai National Park's bear population is large. It was last estimated to be more than 2000 bears. We don't know if other areas of the park have seen an increase in the number of mothers keeping their cubs for a fourth summer. But since there are so many bears living in the area, it is unlikely to have any long-term implications IMO.

[@Gram-Eof3]

@@mikefitz6837 Thank you for responding.

[@configwang]

好奇這些媽媽為何都沒發情

[@Serega-e5h]

Медведю рыбу разводить)чайке именно птице.Себе тож,по есть и на продажу)

[@jasperstromy2778]

Tell me it's not so...they're taking on a bad human habit 😅

[@Serega-e5h]

Ягоду медведю)