17th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Brown bear catching salmon

Lake Kuril in Kamchatka used to be home to one of the largest brown bear populations in the world. Illegal and industrial fishing of salmon at the lake have gotten out of control and are now jeopardizing the long-term survival of these magnificent animals. The bears seem cute and funny, and a moment later, as with this bear catching a salmon, demonstrate how wild and ferocious these hunters can be.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2019
Date Uploaded: 11.2019
Photo Location: Russia
Camera: NIKON D7500
Copyright: © Arie Katz