Beauty and Tragedy

The sad story of a beautiful bear

Of course, our main purpose for visiting Yellowstone was Brown – AKA Grizzly – Bears. I already told you that we didn’t see any COYs (“cubs of the year”) and I covered a few Grizzlies we did see. But, by far the most significant event of the trip – and, I believe of all my trips to Yellowstone – occurred on our first morning in Yellowstone.

A Big Bear Jam

Scott was ahead of us in his car and we caught up with him at a rather extensive Bear jam at Clearwater Springs north of Norris. There was a beautiful subadult grazing in the area rather close to the road.

Looking for grubs

We knew – and heard again from other photographers – that this Bear had been frequenting the area and was a reliable sighting. 

The pull-out was right by where he was walking

In fact, issues had already arisen because of his apparent comfort with humans and that fact that some idiot tourists had actually been seen a few days earlier throwing food from their car to the Bear.

This is the alleged infraction; Photo: Yellowstone Bears

Feeding Bears is a no-no for very good reasons. Bears that get used to humans and human food lose their fear and often actively approach humans as a potential food sources. This kind of interaction can lead to Bear attacks or other unhealthy Bear/human relationships. “Habituated” Bears are often relocated or even put down if they don’t change their behavior. 

Anyway, the subadult put on quite a show, nonchalantly walking around and feeding without paying much attention to the growing crowd of photographers.

Eating some grass on the hill

We noticed that a small boardwalk that would have provided a great vantage point for photographing the Bear was cordoned off for “known Bear activity,” underscoring that he had been here often. I overheard several people refer to this Bear as “her” and “she,” allegedly talking with authority. We later found out that this was wrong – a very important point.

Walking through the downed trees

In fact, this Bear was a “subadult,” a three-year-old male enjoying his first year after being “released” (as in, “beat it, kid”) by his mother.

Old enough to be on his own, but still not an adult

And, his mother was a “known” Bear that was often referred to as the “Obsidian Sow,” named after the Obsidian Cliffs area where she was often spotted. She was also often called “Mini Mom,” because of her diminutive size. Indeed, she looked like a youngster rather than a full-grown Bear. Her official number is 815.

A tiny female

Caty and I had photographed her and her two cubs (including this one) nearby last year as they were dining on a freshly killed Elk calf.

The dark one on the left is our beautiful Bear

So, we watched and took a ridiculous number of photos because this subadult Bear was so close.

Although small, still somewhat imposing (those claws!)

Then, It Happened

Warning: Graphic content

Just as we were getting ready to move on (and after Scott had told us for the second time that he was leaving), we saw some movement to the south of the hill where the subadult was feeding. It was a huge rather ominous-looking boar and what I initially (and very confusedly) thought was a cub walking toward our Bear.

A big size difference; Photo: Caty Stevens

I was confused because Brown Bear boars are known to attack and kill any male they view as a threat and they are also known for killing cubs to free their mothers to mate again and to maintain their own genetic dominance. So, why would a boar be calmly walking with a cub?

Trouble was approaching

It is believed that both sexes always recognize their own offspring and generally do not harm them, but still ... It soon became clear that he wasn’t with a cub, but rather, he was following the Obsidian Sow, with whom he presumably wished to mate.

A Bear of many names

Although many Bears in Yellowstone are known and have names (given by photographers or fans) or numbers (bestowed when they are collared or tagged), the boar was not known. He seems to have materialized from the wilderness this year.

Unknown and scary

Anyway, knowing that small Bears are very leery of big males, I expected the subadult to stand, sniff and run and I trained my camera on him. But he didn't run. Maybe he didn’t smell the approaching Bears. Or, maybe he smelled his own mother and was, thus, unafraid. Regardless, it was tense.

I took a moment to photograph this little guy while waiting

Then, suddenly, the sow rushed up the hill and went after the subadult. Even more puzzling. Why would a female attack? One theory, which makes the most sense, is that she, knowing he was her offspring, rushed ahead to chase him off and ward off any danger.

An unexpected attack

But, he didn’t get it. He just seemed a bit shocked.

What is happening here?

And, then the boar rushed up the hill and attacked.

We hadn't expected this

Now, I have seen lots of Bears engaged in sparring. There is lots of posturing, roaring and more posturing.

The "fight" I witnessed last year in Brooks Falls was much different and no blood was drawn

The initial attack

This wasn’t that. 

This was a fast and furious assault. 

In the frenzy of the moment, we were not sure what was happening. 

And, from my vantage point, the initial attack was behind some trees.

Someone said they were mating (and, if you assumed that the subadult was a female, that made sense). I had never seen mating Bears and I thought t was pretty rough. But, some animals do have pretty violent mating behavior. 

But, it became quickly evident that this was not the case.

This was more serious

Anyway, when the boar attacked, the sow backed off. 

She was watching as the boar went after the little guy

Later, she briefly joined back in before walking off again.

Mom gets in on the fight; Photo: Caty Stevens

While that seems odd, I suspect there is some sort of instinctual response to the fight that kicked in and she became an aggressor. We’ll never know for sure.

I couldn't see this part very well

Regardless, she moved back away and, suddenly, while we were still watching the attack ...

The boar was getting the upper hand

... some people started yelling to return to our cars because the sow was rapidly moving in our direction. 

Coming up the hill

So, we walked back to car and got in just about the time she changed direction and walked back away from us.

So, we grabbed the cameras and returned to the fight. At this point, it had gotten more lethal. Instead of tumbling, we now saw claws and teeth being employed.

This was getting serious

It was obvious the little bear was badly injured. The boar was about three times the size of its victim. Not a fair fight at all. The little guy didn't have a chance.

The desperation was clear

It was tough to watch, but also fascinating. When the boar finally moved off, the subadult rallied for a moment ...

Maybe he survived ...

... and then lay down ...

It didn't look good

We assumed it was dead because it did not move at all. We were shaken. It was very brutal to watch.

He didn't appear to have a mark on him (maybe a little cut on the side of his face)

The Aftermath

Warning: Adult content

What followed underscored what the attack was about. The boar followed the sow to a nearby meadow ...

They continued walking as they had when they first came into view

She ignored him at first, but then, seemed interested ...

Some coy behavior

and, then not ...

He seemed interested, she did not

and, then really not ...  

With the size difference, it is amazing she stood up to him

... really, really not ...

Were we going to see more bloodshed?

And, then they mated ...

I guess she was just playing hard to get

And, unlike what had happened up the hill, it was neither fast nor violent. In fact, both Bears looked pretty bored by the whole thing.

A big yawn -- and he had killed for this

When she had had enough, she let him know. 

She gave him some attitude

 And, then, they sauntered off and we left.

It started to snow a little as they left

Shaken. Sad. And, amazed at how nature works. More Circle of Life. 

We didn't expect this

This trip was turning into an adults-only national geographic special.

So much happened in a short time

So, we finally left and pursued other animals in other places. 

The Real End

When talking with some people later in the day in the Lamar Valley, we were told that the little Bear had not died immediately. In fact, it was later seen raising its head.

It's hard to believe he could survive this

Park Service Rangers came to the site and observed for awhile before determining that he was so badly injured that he could not survive. The Rangers put it down and had the carcass removed (a precaution against people who might seek Bear “trophies and so that a necropsy could be performed). 

We later learned that the Bear was indeed a male and that it weighed a mere 148 lbs. to the boar’s estimated 500 lbs. The subadult had suffered significant injuries, including massive head, neck and spinal wounds, a broken right shoulder and a laceration in the right flank exposing its organs.

Severe injuries were too much

It was a very sad end to a beautiful bear.

So sad

And, it also underscored how very dangerous a Grizzly can be.

Caty and me in the crowd

It turns out that, although it is well known that male bears often kill other males (and cubs) during the mating season, this behavior is seldom actually witnessed. 

This might be the first time in Yellowstone. 

And, there were quite a few people there (including Scott, who didn’t actually leave when he said he was going to). 

Life Goes On

The following morning, we passed the area again. There was no carcass and the yellow “Bear activity” tape was removed from the boardwalk. Then, we ran into a Bear jam a bit farther north. There, in a much more distant field, was the big boar still following the Obsidian Sow.

    He approached her, but she wasn't having it

This time, she didn’t seem interested and he ended up digging for some bugs ...

Digging in the dirt

... sitting down ...

Sitting in the dirt

... and taking a nap ...

Sleeping in the dirt

Life goes on. Perhaps next year, she’ll have new cubs.

By the way, I later learned that the deceased subadult’s sister had not taken up life along the road as he had and had melted back into the wilderness. Maybe she'll survive. But, it's tough out there.

I promise, the rest of my posts will be more uplifting.

Trip date: May 19-June 2, 2022