Grizzly Cub Nibbles Photographer's Boot in Katmai National Park

On August 2, Bruce Robert Danz, a wildlife photographer, was at Katmai National Park in Alaska alongside another photographer, documenting three bear cubs with their mother as they fished. One inquisitive cub approached and sniffed Danz's boot, but he gently moved his foot, concluding the encounter safely. Danz was part of a photographic tour led by Jerry Jacques, who has been conducting grizzly bear photo safaris since 1977. He remarked that the bears were aware of the group’s presence, occasionally coming close, yet they maintained a respectful distance. Jacques humorously commented on Danz's response, suggesting the cub was bored with salmon and wanted 'filet of sole.' Earlier this summer, photographer Matt Addington had a similar close encounter with a grazing grizzly bear, which he described as surreal. Katmai is home to around 2,000 brown bears, each consuming up to 120 pounds of grass daily in preparation for winter hibernation.