Brown Bears (Info, Pics and Videos)

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The Bears of Katmai by Matthias Breiter.

I recognize Ester and her young. In the world of bears, where bigger is definitely better, she is positioned quite high up in the hierarchy. Weighing about nine hundred pounds, Ester is one of the largest females. Although in size she is still no match for the huge males, even they usually give her a wide berth when she has cubs.

When Ester turns around to check on her young, the strange bear has moved between her and her offspring. In such situations, ignorance is not accepted as an excuse. Although unknowingly and without intent, the animal has broken one of the fundamental laws of bear society: never step between a mother bear and her young! Without hesitating, Ester charges, plowing through the water toward her unwitting opponent. He appears confused about what has caused such a radical response and tries to take refuge in flight, speeding off upstream for a few yards. But then he stops and turns around. It's better to take the charge head-on than be mowed down from behind. Also, one's backside is endowed with virtually no communicative abilities. Ester, like a hellcat trapped in the body of a bear, storms closer, throwing herself into the fray without slowing down. To absorb the impact, her adversary rises up slightly. Ester's front paws swing against the shoulder of the other bear. Then both face each other, their mouths agape. The roar of the assaulted bear can be heard a mile away where the racket wakens park visitors from their dreams. For several tense seconds both animals freeze. Then Ester and her opponent slowly, ungracefully, retreat backward Twenty yards away, the cubs stand next to each other in the grass, observing the conflict like disturbed visitors in an open-air theater. Reply