“Captivating Moment: Woman Captures Bears Fishing in Alaska’s Wilderness”

A TikTok video showcasing an enchanting moment of bears fishing by a river in southwest Alaska has captured the hearts of many. The footage, recorded at Brooks Camp in Katmai National Park and Preserve, was shared by @grohnola and has racked up an impressive 1.7 million views since its September 1 posting.

The video opens with a woman expressing her amazement, hands over her face, before the scene shifts to a river teeming with bears as they keenly watch for fish. Accompanying the clip, a caption reads: “Staying forever.”

According to the National Park Service (NPS), Katmai National Park is among the top destinations for brown bear viewing globally, housing around 2,200 brown bears—more than the human population on the Alaska Peninsula.

Brooks Camp features four wildlife viewing platforms overlooking the Brooks River, ensuring minimal disturbance to the bears as they feed on sockeye salmon. For those unable to visit in person, bear enthusiasts can enjoy the wildlife via live web cameras set up by the park from late June to early October.

The NPS notes that Katmai’s Pacific Coast boasts some of the densest bear populations on the planet, although the thick brush and rugged landscape can make sightings tricky. Various backcountry spots offer additional opportunities to see these magnificent animals throughout the season. During spring and early summer, bears flock to meadows and mudflats, while late summer and fall see them congregating along salmon streams.

‘Magical’

Viewers on TikTok were touched by the heartwarming moment highlighted in the viral post.

Katie Michelle remarked, “Whoa. this is pure magic!” while Victoria DeHart expressed her desire to visit Alaska: “This is on my bucket list!” Other comments included emotional reactions like, “I would start crying from how beautiful this is,” and “This made me spontaneously tear up INSTANTLY.” Many viewers echoed sentiments like, “Omg it doesn’t even seem real,” and shared experiences of watching the bears online. One user summed it up beautifully: “What human eyes are really supposed to experience.”