Admiralty Island
Alaska is an important refuge for numerous species whose numbers have declined dramatically in other parts of North America. The bald eagle, for example, can be found in greater abundance in Alaska than in the entire lower 48 states combined. Similarly, Alaska still boasts some of the healthiest runs of salmon found anywhere in the world. What is true for these two iconic species is also true for one of the state’s most charismatic megafauna—the brown bear. Nearly 98 percent of the brown bears in the United States and 70 percent of those in North America can be found here in “The Last Frontier.”
Bear populations vary widely depending on the amount of food available. In extremely productive areas like Admiralty Island where sustenance is abundant and easily procured, densities have been estimated to be as high as one bear per square mile. In less productive zones, bear populations may be as low as one per 300 miles at the outer extreme, though densities generally hover at the intermediate range of about one bear per 15-23 square miles throughout the state. This figure, however, is not meant to imply that each bear has exclusive use of an area this size. The territory used by any individual bear is likely to overlap that used by numerous other individuals.
With this in mind, we considered ourselves honored to watch two brown bears feeding in the intertidal zone before we had our own breakfast this morning. Judging from their similar size, which was somewhat small, and the fact that these normally solitary animals were peacefully foraging together, the natural history staff surmised that it was a pair of sub-adult siblings, perhaps sharing their first year away from their mother. We spotted another brown bear a little more than a mile away, providing ample evidence for the veracity of the density figures put out for Admiralty Island’s brown bear population.
Due to the healthy number of brown bears here, or perhaps because of the wholesale destruction of the species elsewhere, Alaskan brown bears deserve special protection. Key aspects of maintaining healthy populations throughout Alaska include prevention of over-harvest and continued scientific research aimed at developing a better understanding of bear biology. Of greatest importance, however, is the need to provide sufficient habitat for these magnificent creatures. Education of the public concerning the crucial role of habitat conservation is critical if Alaskan brown bears are to continue to thrive into the future.
Alaska is an important refuge for numerous species whose numbers have declined dramatically in other parts of North America. The bald eagle, for example, can be found in greater abundance in Alaska than in the entire lower 48 states combined. Similarly, Alaska still boasts some of the healthiest runs of salmon found anywhere in the world. What is true for these two iconic species is also true for one of the state’s most charismatic megafauna—the brown bear. Nearly 98 percent of the brown bears in the United States and 70 percent of those in North America can be found here in “The Last Frontier.”
Bear populations vary widely depending on the amount of food available. In extremely productive areas like Admiralty Island where sustenance is abundant and easily procured, densities have been estimated to be as high as one bear per square mile. In less productive zones, bear populations may be as low as one per 300 miles at the outer extreme, though densities generally hover at the intermediate range of about one bear per 15-23 square miles throughout the state. This figure, however, is not meant to imply that each bear has exclusive use of an area this size. The territory used by any individual bear is likely to overlap that used by numerous other individuals.
With this in mind, we considered ourselves honored to watch two brown bears feeding in the intertidal zone before we had our own breakfast this morning. Judging from their similar size, which was somewhat small, and the fact that these normally solitary animals were peacefully foraging together, the natural history staff surmised that it was a pair of sub-adult siblings, perhaps sharing their first year away from their mother. We spotted another brown bear a little more than a mile away, providing ample evidence for the veracity of the density figures put out for Admiralty Island’s brown bear population.
Due to the healthy number of brown bears here, or perhaps because of the wholesale destruction of the species elsewhere, Alaskan brown bears deserve special protection. Key aspects of maintaining healthy populations throughout Alaska include prevention of over-harvest and continued scientific research aimed at developing a better understanding of bear biology. Of greatest importance, however, is the need to provide sufficient habitat for these magnificent creatures. Education of the public concerning the crucial role of habitat conservation is critical if Alaskan brown bears are to continue to thrive into the future.
