Quiet Bear in Alaska Named 'Introvert of the Year'
A male black bear named Nugget in Alaska has been awarded the title 'Introvert of the Year' as part of the Anan Bear Awards, the U.S. Forest Service reported.
Nugget lives in the Tongass Forest. During the salmon season, he hides in a crevice near the lower waterfall and waits on a rock until it is his turn to catch fish. According to the Forest Service, the bear does not seek to assert dominance over his peers.
Nugget was first spotted near Anan Creek in 2024. Observers noted his small size. In his first season, the bear primarily ate the leftovers of others' catches but later learned to fish independently.
Rangers believe Nugget’s story demonstrates that the Anan Creek ecosystem is rich enough to sustain even small and calm bears. The Anan Bear Awards are given to bears based on summer observations to draw attention to wildlife. In 2026, U.S. Forest Service staff observed 39 bears near Anan Creek—31 black bears and 8 brown bears.
