The Atlas Obscura Podcast · Wednesday, September 30, 2026
In 2008, Sue Aikens faced a dangerous encounter with a young male grizzly bear that had begun to encroach on her territory near Cavik. The bear, driven by hormones, attempted to claim her land, leaving carcasses and growling nearby.
“The state wildlife department identified 83 grizzly bears who wandered within a 10-mile radius of Cavik. Some she had encountered before. But her ursine neighbors were looking for food, not Sue. That was until one winter in 2008. When a young male grizzly started to become a problem around the camp.”
“This is a fine 27-year-old male, maybe. And he wants to mate with everything on the planet. His hormones are going crazy. He attempted to lay claim to Sue's territory, leaving animal carcasses near her front door and growling nearby.”