Silly Bear Wins Award for Being Terrible at Hide and Seek in Alaska
A cub earns a playful honor
The U.S. Forest Service team at Tongass National Forest gave the cub its official 2026 Worst at Hide-and-Seek Award. The cub is the offspring of Osso, who received the 2026 Mama Bear Award.
A season with uncertainty
Osso had three cubs this season. Rangers saw her with two in August and believe that one of the cubs died. Black bear cub survival rates vary by location, ranging from 51 to 88 percent. The report does not identify which cub may have died.
Bears in Tongass Forest
Anan Creek is a notable bear-watching spot, with one of Southeast Alaska’s largest pink salmon runs. Friends of Anan counts 39 known bears there: 31 black bears and eight brown bears.
Salmon season and bear tracking
Cameras operated by explore.org broadcast live streams of the bears’ activity. The bears each have their own habits, much like bears in Katmai National Park.
Key points
- A Tongass cub received the Forest Service’s 2026 Worst at Hide-and-Seek Award.
- Rangers said the cub seemed to want to play but struggled to grasp the game.
- Osso had three cubs, but Rangers saw her with two in August and believe one died.
- Anan Creek is home to 39 known bears that gather to feed on salmon.