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Grizzly Bear Supermom Spotted in Yellowstone with Incredible Five Cubs Litter

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Author Linnea H, BSc Sociology

Eurasian brown bear and cubs
Close up of female Eurasian brown bear. Image by Giedriius via Depositphotos.

A grizzly bear in Yellowstone National Park was spotted with an unprecedented litter of five cubs, an extremely rare event for the park.

Grizzly Bears in Yellowstone

Screenshot: ” Grizzly Encounter with Mother and 5 Cubs – Yellowstone National Park” via Stan Mills

Yellowstone is home to two bear species: the grizzly bear and the black bear.

Typical Bear Litters

Screenshot: “Grizzly Encounter with Mother and 5 Cubs – Yellowstone National Park” via Stan Mills

Grizzly bear litters usually consist of one to three cubs, making this sighting extraordinary. Watch the video here.

First Documented Case

Grizzly bear cubs
Grizzly bear cubs playing in a field of flowers. Image via Depositphotos

This is the first time a litter of five has ever been recorded in the park’s history.

Tour Guide’s Astonishing Encounter

grizzly bear
Previous years cubs. Image by Thomas D. Mangelsen

Andrea Baratte, a tour guide, captured the moment on film, ensuring the rare event was documented. Watch the video here.

The Video

YouTube video
“Grizzly Encounter with Mother and 5 Cubs – Yellowstone National Park” via Stan Mills, youtube.

Nature Photographer’s Capture

Grizzly bear
Grizzly bear sow and cub in shoeshone national park. Image via. Image via U.S. Forest Service, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature photographer Stan Mills also filmed the rare sighting, adding to the documentation.

Adoption Possibility

By Charles J. Sharp – Own work, from Sharp Photography, sharpphotography.co.uk, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=120317711

There is speculation whether all five cubs belong to the same mother or if some were adopted. Watch the video here.

Historical Adoption Cases

bear cub
Image by Janko Ferlic Divo via Unsplash

Instances of bear cub adoption have been recorded before, such as in 2011 and 2016.

Expert Opinion

Momma Bear Tosses Cub
Image via depositphotos.

Frank van Manen, leader of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team, confirms the rarity of this event.

Genetic Testing Uncertainty

Mother bear protects her three little puppies. Image via depositphotos.com

Without genetic testing, it’s unclear if the supermom is biologically related to all five cubs.

National Park Service Confirmation

Grizzly bear cubs
Grizzly bear cub in a field of flowers. Image via Depositphotos

Linda Veress, spokeswoman for the National Park Service, confirmed this is the largest litter recorded since 1959.

Impact on Bear Population

Mother bear protects her three little pups in the Finnish taiga. Image via Depositphotos.

This sighting is significant for understanding bear reproduction and population dynamics in Yellowstone.

Visitor Reactions

By Charles J. Sharp – Own work, from Sharp Photography, sharpphotography.co.uk, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=120317711

Visitors and wildlife enthusiasts are thrilled and amazed by the sighting.

Bear Behavior Insights

Momma Bear Tosses Cub
Image via depositphotos.

This event provides valuable insights into bear behavior and maternal care in grizzly bears.

Conservation Efforts

Eurasian brown bear and cubs
Close up of female Eurasian brown bear (Ursos arctos) and her cubs in boreal forest, Finland. Image via Depositphotos

The sighting underscores the importance of ongoing conservation efforts in Yellowstone.

Future Observations

Mother bear protects her three little pups in the Finnish taiga. Image via Depositphotos.

Researchers are eager to continue observing this unique bear family for further study and insights.

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