The famous salmon run is the most exciting time of year in the grizzlies’ calendar. Each year, the salmon battle their way up the river systems to their native spawning grounds, sparking a feasting frenzy for hungry bears.
Watch the bears feasting in this amazing footage below from the BBC, narrated by David Attenborough
When prey is sparse, grizzly bears are relatively unfussy, gulping their meal down whole. When food is abundant, they can afford to be choosier, selecting the fattiest and most energy- rich parts of the fish – the skin, brains and unspawned eggs – in a bid to ingest the highest possible ratio of calories.
Salmon are incredibly nutritious, providing more than 4,500 calories apiece, plus vitamins, minerals and protein. However, bears also need to consume fruit to gain the necessary carbohydrates – research has revealed that a more balanced diet enables faster weight gain.