There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
Short pictorial on Van, my favourite brown bear. Not only does he get closer to a very respectable age (close to 25y) but he also does fairly well with the females as of now as confirmed by Katmai park guide Scot Stones who I regularly contact on Instagram to give me updates on the bears. One thing I'll always have in mind is this monster killing an adult female coastal grizzly (who weigh about 200-220kg on average) in a matter of seconds, absolutely astonishing and diabolical. Not only do we look at probably the biggest brown bear that has ever lived in this case but we can see what the throne for brown bears looks like; a symbol of courage, stamina, strength and of course a lot of battle scars along with a partially torn off ear (which occured when he still was a cub).
In His Prime (most footage is taken from "The Great Bear Stakeout", 2013; he was most likely around 14y old during this documentary)
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
Defending His Throne (Competition gets more and more serious in 2016/17; Van can already be considered an old bear at 17y of age)
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
Getting Beaten Up (In 2019/20 Van looks quite shaggy and not necessarily healthy; he is pushed out of his territory on various occasions by much younger and stronger rivals; he seems to have lost some body mass too)
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
Regaining the Throne? (In 2021 Van makes a surprising comeback to a great physique; he drives the females crazy as an old man of 22y and regains confidence as well as physicality)
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
This is what the absolute peak of modern mammalian and terrestrial carnivores looks like; unfortunately he has never been weighed but there have been conservative estimates of 1400lbs up to 1800lbs in his absolute peak. One thing we know is that Van is the biggest bear that has ever been seen in Katmai National Park as confirmed by multiple guides working there. I hope he'll reach the 25 and create an even bigger legacy than he already has. Legend.