Alaska has polar, grizzly, black and brown bears

Alaska is special in many ways and one of these ways is the fact that Alaska is home to all three species of North American bears and for the most part they thrive in their respective habitats throughout the state. Brown, grizzly and black bears are found from the southern most reaches of southeast Alaska to the Alaska arctic. Polar bears are found on the tundra and pack ice of far west and north Alaska.

Bears can be dangerous and attack humans!

Bears are always a potentially dangerous animal and a threat to humans, but bears are also intelligent and for the most part avoid human contact, but they are curious creatures and since they are at the top of the animal food chain they have little to fear.In fact, most humans are much more afraid of them than they are of us. Which means sometimes bears are killed by people who immediately shot the bear before they even knew if the bear was a threat to them. It is good to have a keen respect for the bears ability to be a threat, and we should learn all we can about their behaviors and habitat so when a human does encounter a bear, neither will suffer from the meeting.

Alaska vacations include bear watching!

Most vacationers and visitors to Alaska who see a bear consider it to be a highlight the trip. Alaskan residents tend to forget the wonder of it as they have encountered bears unexpectedly more frequently.  Bears have even been seen in Alaska cities where the clever bears come looking for food. Bear spottings in Alaskan cities increases as we encroach on their habitats.  If we take away where the bear has always hunted for food, we can expect them to visit us more.  These encounters need not end in death or injury to either bear or human.

Brown bears and grizzly bears attack humans

Over the past 20 years, Alaska has reported 13 human deaths and 75 injuries to humans from brown/grizzly bear attacks; and two deaths and three injuries to humans by black bears. But bears certainly aren't the only animal than can be a danger to humans in Alaska.  A study conducted by the State of Alaska that reviewed the ten years between 1975 and 1985, revealed 20 people were killed by dogs.  However, in that same period, more than 1000 brown and black bears were killed by humans in defense of their life and property.  In Alaska it is illegal to kill a bear as a result of your unreasonable invasion into the bear's habitat or due to garbage invasion.

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"The greatest thrill is not to kill but to let live"

James Oliver Curwood (from the "Grizzly King")

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