Black Bear

22519

A Teenage Bruin Gets His First Taste of a Dangerous World

"22519 is a small, subadult male, just a little over a hundred pounds. So he's somewhat of a scaredy-bear."

— Kerry Gunther, senior bear biologist, Yellowstone National Park

Think of this black bear as a late teenager in bear years. He's a young adult, wild and free, who awoke from hibernation alone in his own den. Now, he's spending his first full summer having to fend for himself, getting by without the protective care of mama at his side serving up free meals and keeping him out of trouble. Is he ready? Bear 22519 is three years old, weighing only 103 pounds. He's nicknamed "the Tower Black Bear" because of the region of Yellowstone he inhabits. He has no idea what dangers await him.