Alaska Rangers Honor Bear Hosting Multiple Tapeworms

A bear spotted this summer along Anan Creek in southeastern Alaska received an unusual distinction from rangers at Tongass National Forest after observers saw multiple long tapeworms protruding from its rear. The unidentified animal received the 2026 Host with the Most Award as part of a recognition program celebrating the 39 bears documented at the Anan Wildlife Observatory.

The U.S. Forest Service rangers highlighted the unusual sighting as part of the annual Anan Bear Awards. Although bears carrying tapeworms are not unusual in the area, seeing several long parasites on a single animal stood out, according to the rangers.

In their account of the encounter, the rangers described the sighting as an uncommon example of a familiar problem among bears at Anan Creek.

"Seeing bears with a tapeworm is not uncommon at Anan, but seeing one bear with multiple long tapeworms … yikes!" the rangers wrote.

The award recognizes the bear's role as a host for multiple intestinal parasites. Tapeworms live inside their hosts and absorb nutrients, with some capable of growing more than 80 feet long in extreme cases. They are often less than one inch wide.

The recognition is part of a broader effort to document the wildlife living around Anan Creek, one of southeastern Alaska's notable locations for observing bears feeding on salmon.

According to Friends of Anan, 39 known bears visit the creek to feed on its salmon runs. The group includes 31 black bears (Ursus americanus) and eight brown bears (Ursus arctos).

The bears return each summer to feed on pink salmon, and adults also teach their young how to fish and survive. Individual bears display distinct habits, making their behavior a continuing focus of wildlife observation in the area.

Tongass National Forest covers much of southeastern Alaska, including the area around Juneau. As the largest national forest in the United States, it encompasses extensive natural habitats, hiking trails, and wildlife populations, including bears and eagles.

The U.S. Forest Service tracks and documents individual bears at the Anan Wildlife Observatory, while explore.org provides live camera streams showing their activities. The annual awards draw attention to the animals observed at the site and their varied behaviors.