Long one of the most dominant bears at Brooks River without the Fat Bear glory. At an advanced bear age he made the 2025 final, losing to Chunk 96,362–63,729.
#856 is medium-large adult. He has a uniform brown and grizzled coat. His ears are blonde and wide-set.
His forehead is wide and furred and #856 can have numerous small scars on his face and front legs.
#856 was first classified as a young adult male in 2006 and has recently become one of the more dominant bears at Brooks Falls.
He was seen courting two female bears in 2010, #402 and #744. In Katmai, most male bears do not have the opportunity to mate with with females until they reach their early to mid teens when they are large enough to outcompete other adult bears for access to females.
#856 seems to have followed this pattern. This bear may now be in the prime of his life where he can successfully fend off challenges from most other adult males along the Brooks River.
However, the hierarchy can change quickly, even within the same seaon. Therefore, most bears, like #856, are adapted to take advantage of their position in the hierarchy.
He prefers to fish the jacuzzi, but he will occassionally fish the lip of Brooks Falls. This bear has not been positively identified in the fall, but he could be the same bear as #888, who is only seen in September and October.
Unlike most bears, #856 is often seen repeatedly licking his lips while he fishes the lip and walks around Brooks Falls.
#888: Could this be #856 in the fall?
#888: Could this be #856 in the fall?