Black Bears - Fishing for Pink Salmon

Millions of Pink Salmon (Humpies) return to the Solomon Gulch Fish Hatchery in Valdez, Alaska each year, attracting every bear in the area. I have seen as many as 19 different bears around the hatchery in a single afternoon! Needless to say, this is an opportunity worth the 5+ hour drive (one way) from Anchorage to Valdez. It's a good thing there are so many bears, otherwise one would never see them for the Gulls!

If you look closely at the bottom of the hapless Pink Salmon you will see eggs being squeezed from the fish by the pressure of the bear's jaws. That is the meal the bears are after, the fat rich eggs.

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If you look closely at the bottom of the hapless Pink Salmon you will see eggs being squeezed from the fish by the pressure of the bear's jaws. That is the meal the bears are after, the fat rich eggs.

Valdez Alaska Fishing Bear Black Bear Salmon Pink Salmon Humpies Mammal Solomon Gulch Fish Hatchery Ursus americanus Humpys Oncorhynchus gorbuscha August