Brown Bears Gather for the Great Salmon Run
In Brown Bears Gather for the Great Salmon Run, narrator Sir David Attenborough describes how winter approaches in Alaska and food becomes scarce, but brown bears are ready for the challenge. These giant bears, which grow larger here than anywhere else in the world, gather for the annual salmon run. The bears depend on this event to fatten up for winter, but when the salmon numbers are low, survival can be tough. This video is excerpted from BBC's Life, a show that explores the remarkable strategies animals and plants use to ensure their survival.
Lesson Express
Q: Why is the salmon run so important for brown bears in Alaska?
A: The salmon run provides them with the food and calories they need to gain weight before hibernating during the harsh winter months.
Q: How does the timing of the salmon run influence the bears' survival strategies?
A: The bears need to eat as much as possible before winter arrives. If the run happens at the right time, the bears can stock up on food and gain enough weight to survive the cold months when food is hard to find. If the run is late or weak, the bears may struggle to survive.
Q: How might the strong salmon run this year affect the bear population in the long term?
A: It would help the bears gain the necessary weight to survive the winter, leading to healthier bears. This could result in a stronger bear population, as the bears would have a better chance of surviving and reproducing in the following seasons.
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