File:130 Tundra (14600150792).jpg

130 Tundra was found dead along the Brooks River last week. We waited until now to tell everyone not because we wanted to keep a secret, but because we wanted to be sure we correctly identified the bear.

July 1 was a busy day at Brooks Camp. Late in the evening, while many rangers were still dealing with 402’s yearling cub in a tree at Brooks Lodge, another ranger discovered a dead bear near the Cutbank on the Brooks River. The Cutback is located about halfway between Brooks Falls and the lower Brooks River. After looking at the photos of the bear and noticing what appears to be a scar over the bear's left eye, I suspected that the dead bear might be 130 Tundra. Because this bear has not been observed along the Brooks River in the past week, I am now convinced that she is the bear in the photo. A photo of the dead bear is linked below.

Here’s what we know by examining the bear: 1. 130 likely died within 24 hours of being discovered. 2. She had been fed on by another bear. 3. She was likely killed by another bear.

Here’s what we don’t know: 1. Which bear killed 130. 2. The circumstances that led to her death.