16 year old Grizzly got beat up . . .

[Tom Reichner]

This 16 year old Grizzly got beat up . . . by another Grizz.  

We visited Yellowstone last week, and saw this Grizzly both on Wednesday evening and again on Thursday morning.  As you can see in the photos, he had a bad encounter with what must have been another Griz.  

Park rangers that were on the scene Wednesday evening know this bear, and claim that he's 16 years old!  He's a huge specimen of a Grizzly, but his age must be getting the better of him.  

As you can see in the photos, the right side of his face is mauled and bloody.  The left side of his face is also chewed up.  His head's a mess with a bunch of frizzled hair that's either matted down or falling out, and if you look close at his right forepaw in photo #3, you'll see that one of his claws is missing.  I never got a good, close look at his teeth, but they must be worn down to gum level by now.  

He can't have many more years left (if any).   I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to observe him in the "twilight" of his life.  

[bowhunterforever]

Awsome pics tom! You can tell he has seen better days.

[JoeVon]

I really enjoyed looking at the pics....Thanks Tom!

[popeshawnpaul]

Great photos Tom.  I'm guessing a pissed off momma with cubs whooped his... 

[jager]

owww.....he doesn't look very friendly!

Nice pics! Thanks!

[BLKBEARKLR]

awesome pics, I have a buddy that stays there the whole summer and takes pictures

[javman]

That's one mean looking sunuva... Great shots! Kinda hard to not feel a little sad for him.

[shanevg]

Those are some amazing pics!  You sure get some awesome pictures, good job!

[Huntbear]

wow, awesome pics.  He is definitely an old bear.

[saylean]

very cool man.

[MuleySniper]

Cool! Must be a tough ol boy.
MS

[luvtohnt]

I wonder, if he had a collar on that got snagged or he just simply ripped it off? He has a definate collar mark as well as similar markings on both sides of his face. Just a thought what do you guys think? Also there arent really any gapping slashes or large open cuts wich would make me think that he wasn't actually in a fight. just something to ponder.

Brandon

[Tom Reichner]

I wonder, if he had a collar on that got snagged or he just simply ripped it off? He has a definate collar mark as well as similar markings on both sides of his face. Just a thought what do you guys think? Also there arent really any gapping slashes or large open cuts wich would make me think that he wasn't actually in a fight. just something to ponder.

Brandon

These pics were all taken Thursday morning.  When we saw him Wednesday night, the cuts on his face were very fresh.  They do alot of drying up and scabbing over in just 12 hours or so.  Couldn't get decent pics Wed when they were fresh because he never came very close, and there were too many tree trunks in the way.

[hogsniper]

He does have a collar imprint in his fur!!! Interesting!!!

[Aneoakleaf]

Great pictures! Thanks for sharing!