A blended family, a fatal attack, and a bear who is neither villain nor hero.

Here's a bear who defies a one-word scouting report. First identified as a 3.5-year-old in 2019, 806 is on her third known litter, and it's a blended one: a single spring cub plus an adopted 2.5-year-old known as Biggie, who separated from her mother, 128 Grazer, in late spring. Nobody saw the first meeting, but Biggie was likely the one who took the risk and approached. 806 took her in, a show of behavioral flexibility and devotion that reached beyond her own cub.

Then came July 28. While 909 fished the river mouth, her spring cub swam across the river and ended up near the 806 family. After a few minutes the cub ran, and 806 chased, then attacked, killed, and partly ate the cub. Adoption, then predation, just weeks apart? The official word: these behaviors aren't mutually exclusive. 806 is neither villain nor hero. She's a bear. Spot her round, blond-tipped ears. It's her first Fat Bear Week appearance. Brace for debate in the pool.