Content
Relaxed bear wins award for luxurious eating style—underneath an Alaskan waterfall – Popular Science
Nov
Typically, when a bear catches a nutritious salmon, they don’t eat it under a rushing waterfall. But one unnamed black bear (Ursus americanus) eating at Anan Creek in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest decided to park underneath a waterfall and enjoy his fishy snack.
For this culinary innovation, the U.S. Forest Service team at Tongass National Forest has awarded the unnamed bear with the 2026 Shower Beer award.
“After watching this relaxed black bear gnawing on a salmon under rushing waters, we’re wondering if it might catch on—like the ursine equivalent of the shower beer,” the team writes. “The more you watch, the more sense it makes. No mess and no need to move to start fishing again. This bear may be on to something.”
The rangers at Tongass National Forest are currently awarding the Anan Bear Awards to the 39 bears spotted at the Anan Wildlife Observatory over the summer.
Tongass is the largest national forest in the United States, and covers most of southeastern Alaska, including the capital city of Juneau. The area includes Mendanhall Glacier (a popular destination for Alaskan cruises), hiking trails, eagles soaring above, and plenty of bears. One of the hotspots is Anan Creek, home to one of the largest runs of pink salmon in Southeast Alaska.
According to Friends of Anan, 39 bears are known to feast on the salmon at Anan Creek. The population includes 31 black bears and eight brown bears (Ursus arctos). Like their beefy counterparts farther to the north in Katmai National Park, the bears return annually each summer to eat salmon and teach their cubs how to fish and survive. And also like the fat bears of Katmai, every bear here has their own habits and quirks.
The U.S. Forest Service tracks and documents every bear spotted here, while explore.org’s cameras broadcast live streams of their behavior.
2026 Popular Science Home of the Future Awards
39 products that will improve your everyday life.
Laura is Popular Science’s news editor, handling coverage of a wide variety of subjects. Laura is particularly fascinated by all things aquatic, paleontology, nanotechnology, and exploring how science influences daily life.
Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡
Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six days a week.
By signing up, you confirm you are 16+, will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service.
© 2026 Ziff Davis. All rights reserved.
Withdraw Consent / Manage Privacy Preferences
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
