Man in bear costume harasses real bear, cubs

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Authorities want to talk to a man who donned a fairly realistic bear costume and wore it when harassing a mother bear and two cubs trying to feed on pink salmon in an Alaska river.

The incident happened Monday on the Chilkoot River near Haines, said Alaska Fish and Game Assistant Area Management Biologist Mark Sogge.

A crowd had gathered at a weir, because the sow and cubs have frequently showed up to feed during the salmon run.

The crowd, which is kept at a safe distance from the weir, became startled when a man decked out in a bear outfit ran through the area.

The man began to jump up and down, and then got close to the cubs, within 5 to 10 feet, Sogge said.

Alaska Fish and Game technician Lou Cenicola moved the sow and then tried to talk to the man.

The man refused to identify himself, he said.

Sogge reported the man told the technician: “You have the license plate number. You figure it out.”

The man then drove off without revealing his face.

Troopers are investigating, spokeswoman Megan Peters said. If warranted, the man could face wildlife harassment charges.