So, what is the proper name for the giant coastal bears of Alaska?
This 200-year-old debate has started many a fight and even some international turmoil.
Alaska Master Guide & Bush Pilot Jerry Jacques has been studying bears in Alaska, Russia & Canada. Spending 120 days a year in the field for the last 47 years he is one of the world’s foremost experts on Alaska’s coastal bears. This is Jerry’s Answer to the debate.
Short Answer
Genetically they are the same animal (Ursus arctos) only classified differently by geography. Calling the coastal bears of Alaska Grizzly Bears is correct but calling them Brown Bears that is also 100% correct.
Long answer
Different Bears or Bear of a many names?
Understanding the history actually makes this a fun debate.
Brown Bear, Grizzly Bear, Kodiak Bear, Coastal Grizzly, El Oso Pardo, Ursus arctos horribilis, Ursus arctos, Many names but alas they are all the same Genetic species Ursus arctos all brown and grizzly bears of North America, Europe, and Asia belonged to one single Holarctic species: Ursus arctos. Environmental differences in different regions greatly affect both the size and temperament of these magnificent bears.
| First to Name Bear | Year | Name given to type bear |
| Carl LinnaeusClassified European Brown Bears | 1758 | Ursus arctosBrown Bear (European) |
| Spanish Portola expedition, California Records huge bears | 1769 | El Oso Pardo Translated to English means The Grizzly |
| Russia Colonizes Alaska | 1784 | Medved Translated to mean Brown Bear |
| Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery ExpeditionRecords Grizzlies in North America | 1804 | Grizzly Bear |
| George Ordin Gives name to Grizzlies from Lewis & Clark expedition | 1815 | Grizzly Bear,Ursus horribilisUrsus arctos horribilis |
| Hudson’s Bay CO | 1827 | Records show grizzly bear hides were shipped out of Alaska and Canada to Europe for the fur trade. |
| Alexander Middendorffzoologist studied Kodiak & Kamchatka Bears | 1851 | Middendorff proposed brown and grizzly in North America & Eurasia are same species |
| Boon & Crocket Records | 1947 | Debate the distinction between Grizzly & the Coastal Bears of Alaska. Canadian Guides Complain that unfair to classify as same bear or Canadian bears will not make the record book. End result coastal bears in Alaska within 75 miles of salt water are Brown Bears and all others are Grizzly Bears. Coastal Bears in Canada are classified as Grizzly Bears. This was decided based on politics not biology. |
| Robert L. RauschBear Research determines all brown and grizzly bears to be Ursus arctos | 1963 | Ursus arctos |
| Genetically they have been proven to be the same animal but classified differently by geography. | 2020 | Arguments and fights still happening. |
The best article on “Brown VS Grizzly is “A Bear by Any Other Name The Many Monikers of Ursus arctos” Written by Alaska Fish and Wildlife Technician Wilson Puryear.
Hunters call them Brown Bear, as both Safari Club International and Boon & Crocket who are the record keepers classify any Alaska bear “Ursus arctos” that lives near the Pacific or Bearing Sea coast is classified as a brown bear
The World Record Bear
The largest bear ever recorded, and officially certified by Safari Club International.
Skull measurement of 31 2/16” and well over 11 feet. This bear was taken by Marvin Winters & guided by Jerry Jacques Adventure River Company on the Alaskan Peninsula. Jerry stopped guiding hunters 3 decades ago, now he only guides film makers, photographers and people that just want to see and protect the bears.
