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magazine / dec08
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December 2008 issue |
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FEATURE - YUKON GRIZZLIES
Hungry as a bear
Yukon grizzlies fattening up for winter know where to go for a late
autumn feast: the Fishing Branch, a tributary of the Porcupine River,
whose warm waters create a rich microclimate for spawning salmon
Story and photography by Stephen J. Krasemann
Early one morning in early October, bear guide Phil
Timpany and I wade across the waist-deep Fishing Branch
to hike to a grizzly den. It’s a steep climb. The area around
the entrance has been cleared of moss and twigs, and all the
nearby spruce trees have their lower branches broken off, no
doubt by the den’s owner preparing a soft bed for a long winter’s
sleep. The entrance tunnel slopes slightly upward into
the cave, perfect for trapping body heat and allowing moisture
to escape. I crawl in. It’s cozy, safe from any weather.
Inside, in a chamber the size of a small travel trailer, is a
depression that has been lined knee-deep with chewed twigs,
tree limbs, mosses and grasses. It’s a bear-sized mattress.
In the first weeks of November, this cave — and others
nearby — will be occupied. The females go in first. Later,
snow will drift over the openings, sealing the bears and the
entrances until spring.
For the rest of this story, visit your local newsstand or go to our store to buy this issue.
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Canadian Geographic Photo Club
Join us for an interview with photographer Stephen Krasemann and get a behind-the-scenes look into a photo shoot for Canadian Geographic.
By Michela Rosano
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