id: 5738175
Kamchatka brown bears although solitary, congregate where there are plentiful sources of food and the Kuril Lake in Kamchatka is one such area. Despite the abundance of food, adult male bears at times display acts of aggression to claim prime fishing spots or secure their catch. Dominance between bears is asserted by making a frontal orientation, showing off canines, muzzle twisting and neck stretching. During combat, bears use their paws to strike their opponents in the chest or shoulders and bite the head or neck. At the time of my stay at the Kuril Lake, most of the sockeye salmon were in the lake, yet to move upstream. As a result, large number of bears, around 50-60 individuals had congregated at the confluence of the Kuril Lake and one of the larger streams that feeds the lake. Composition is a challenge under such conditions. The only way out is to be patient, isolate and keenly observe to anticipate. On one such day, a lone bear fishing had caught my attention because of his size. Suddenly, another male challenged him, perhaps for the prime fishing spot. Tempers flared, paw swipes taken at each other but the clash of the “Yokozunas” was quickly settled like a Sumo bout and the challenger was pushed out of the ring.
Specie: Kamchatka Brown Bear (Ursus arctos beringianus)
Location: South Kamchatka Sanctuary, Russia
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