Grizzly Bears Battle for Breeding Rights
Two male Grizzly Bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) battle for breeding rights along the shores of the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Reserve on the west coast of British Columbia about 30 minutes flight northwest of Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada.
While on a week long photography tour, we were observing a pair of courting bears, the brown male, in an open meadow along the inlet. The couple became alert, which drew our attention to the edge of the woods. A black male grizzly stepped out into the open, grunted and charged the brown male. Both bears plowed into each other head-on, grappled with each other, standing on their hind legs, using their claws and teeth to lock onto the opponent.
This fight lasted for what seemed a long time. There were no holds barred in this encounter and it appeared that each bear was ready to kill the other bear. There was a constant roar from the fight area with saliva and blood flying through the air. It had rained earlier so both bears were wet and lots of water sprayed into the air during the battle.
A number of wounds were inflicted on both bears with one suffering more than the other. The loser limped away with some serious cuts from the claws of the victor. However, the loser was seen in the area several days later so he will likely survive with some scares to show from his battles.
28 May, 2015.
Slide # GWB_20150528_6016.CR2
In Explore
Use of this image on websites, blogs or other media without explicit permission is not permitted.
© Gerard W. Beyersbergen - All Rights Reserved Worldwide In Perpetuity - No Unauthorized Use.
Grizzly Bears Battle for Breeding Rights
Two male Grizzly Bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) battle for breeding rights along the shores of the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Reserve on the west coast of British Columbia about 30 minutes flight northwest of Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada.
While on a week long photography tour, we were observing a pair of courting bears, the brown male, in an open meadow along the inlet. The couple became alert, which drew our attention to the edge of the woods. A black male grizzly stepped out into the open, grunted and charged the brown male. Both bears plowed into each other head-on, grappled with each other, standing on their hind legs, using their claws and teeth to lock onto the opponent.
This fight lasted for what seemed a long time. There were no holds barred in this encounter and it appeared that each bear was ready to kill the other bear. There was a constant roar from the fight area with saliva and blood flying through the air. It had rained earlier so both bears were wet and lots of water sprayed into the air during the battle.
A number of wounds were inflicted on both bears with one suffering more than the other. The loser limped away with some serious cuts from the claws of the victor. However, the loser was seen in the area several days later so he will likely survive with some scares to show from his battles.
28 May, 2015.
Slide # GWB_20150528_6016.CR2
In Explore
Use of this image on websites, blogs or other media without explicit permission is not permitted.
© Gerard W. Beyersbergen - All Rights Reserved Worldwide In Perpetuity - No Unauthorized Use.