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Relaxed bear wins award for luxurious eating style-underneath an Alaskan waterfall

Yahoo • November 4, 2026 • science

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An unnamed black bear at Anan Creek in Alaska's Tongass National Forest was awarded the 2026 Shower Beer award by the U.S. Forest Service for eating a salmon underneath a rushing waterfall, a unique behavior that minimizes mess and allows the bear to resume fishing easily.
The Tongass National Forest rangers are giving out Anan Bear Awards to 39 bears observed at the Anan Wildlife Observatory during the summer, highlighting the individual habits and quirks of each bear.
Tongass National Forest, the largest in the U.S., encompasses southeastern Alaska and is home to diverse wildlife, including a large population of black and brown bears that gather annually at Anan Creek to feast on one of Southeast Alaska’s largest pink salmon runs.
The bears at Anan Creek, similar to those in Katmai National Park, return every summer to feed on salmon and teach their cubs survival skills, showcasing distinct behaviors among the population of 31 black bears and eight brown bears.

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