Heir to a Brooks River dynasty, bold since cubhood, now raising two spring cubs.

Some bears build a legacy. 284 inherited one. Born in 2008, she was introduced to Brooks River by her mother, 708 Amelia, who had been introduced to the river by her own mother, 438 Reggie. Young 284 was curious and bold, and she carried it into her subadult years. As an adult, especially with cubs in tow, she's prone to challenging other bears, and sometimes people, to protect her personal space or her offspring. Look for the prominent shoulder hump and blond-tipped ears.

Now in her late teens, 284 is at the age when mother bears often have their greatest reproductive success, armed with a lifetime of experience and collective knowledge of her home range. Her known offspring, including 901 and 384, already walk the bear trails blazed by generations before them. Two more spring cubs are now learning the family business. The question for the bracket: can the heir to a dynasty claim the salmon wreath for herself?