This enormous grizzly bear, nicknamed Luther, was the alpha male on this section of river in remote Katmai National Park, Alaska. Hundreds of bears congregate on the banks of the river during the salmon run. The largest bears, capable of defending the territory, stake out the best fishing spots. Luther, enormous grizzly that he is, was able to choose any spot on the river that he wanted. The spot Luther has chosen enables him to watch the fish and scoop them out of the river with very little effort. The less energy a grizzly bear expends on catching prey, the more bulk it can put on in preparation for winter.
Luther, who our guides estimated weighs somewhere around 1,200 pounds, will have no trouble whatsoever surviving the winter. This enormous grizzly will emerge from hibernation in spring looking almost as large as he does here.
Stock Image #20100809-191517A