When asked if Backpack would "make it", the rangers said there is only a 50/50 chance that he could survive on his own if his paw doesn't heal. Encouragingly, he swims quite proficiently, and we observed him catch two salmon on his own, so he isn't totally dependent on his mother. We all sincerely hope that his paw heals, though...
A mother's fury! The sow at right has three cubs nearby, and decided this male was too close. When she attempted to drive him off, the growling and snarling escalated to both of them standing and having a heated "discussion." After a few minutes, the male decided it wasn't worth the trouble, and retreated (with no blood spilled).
The business end of two bears. Although most bear confrontations (like the sow at right trying to drive this male away from her cubs) end with no serious injury to either bear, episodes like this certainly revealed the speed and fury with which these bears respond to threats. I would NOT want to be on the receiving end of their teeth and claws!
