Watch 3 Massive Grizzly Bears Gang Up on a Wolf Right In Front of Its Pack

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Written by Hannah Crawford

Updated: November 9, 2023

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Grizzly in Water
© Jack Nevitt/Shutterstock.com

One of the last animals you want to meet in the wild is a grizzly bear; seeing three at once would be nothing short of terrifying. Even though these grizzles are typically loners, and you will rarely find them in groups, they can sometimes be found together when it comes to eating. 

The Wolf Pack Dynamic

A wolf pack in the woods.

Wolf packs can successfully hunt deer, elk, and moose, and have been known to take on grizzly bears.

©Luke23/Shutterstock.com

In the case of this video, a wolf pack was together down by the river. Now it is normal for wolves to be found together in packs. Most of the time, wolf packs can be found with 4-8 adult members, although their packs have been known to reach up to 30 members in some cases. 

A wolf pack hunt is absolutely a pack to be feared in the wild. These packs can successfully take down various animals, such as deer, elk, and moose. Not only can they take large prey like that down, but they have also been known actually to take on grizzly bears. However, in the case of this video shown below, three grizzlies are just too much for a wolf pack. 

A Terrifying Attack

Deadliest Animal in the World: Dogs/Wolves

Wolves will defend members of their pack when possible, understanding the power of numbers.

©Peter Ivanyi/Shutterstock.com

At the start of the video, three grown male grizzly bears have dragged a lone wolf into the water and literally ripped it to shreds.  A wolf nearby is in the water, right outside of the fight, and is loudly barking and growling. As if he is begging the bears to let go. 

Unlike some wild animals, like lions that have been known to leave if in danger instead of staying and fighting for their fellow lions, wolves are not built like this. Wolves are built for the pack life and know the power of numbers. However, in this case, while the wolf is staying near, he knows he cannot interject himself. He is not strong enough for these three aggressive and clearly angry grizzly bears.

How Big Are Grizzly Bears?

Grizzly bear on cliff

Grizzly bears are a subspecies of brown bears.

©Dennis W Donohue/Shutterstock.com

Grizzly bears are among the top ten largest bears alive. They are listed among other giants such as the polar bear, Kodiak bear, and the American black bear

Though they may not be the biggest bear in the world, grizzlies are enormous animals to come across in the wild. Grizzlies can reach 400-800 pounds and stand 10 feet tall. This, coupled with their speed of 35 miles per hour, make them a predator that few prey can outrun. 

By the end of this short YouTube clip, we see the three grizzlies have now pulled the wolf up on top of dry land and are finishing this gruesome attack. 

The remaining wolf pack is seen up on land, four of them growling at the grizzly who stepped away, daring him to step away and fight them. While they offer their vocalizations of displeasure over the grizzlies choosing their friend for food, they know that their small pack is not enough to take on three adult male grizzlies.

Is it Normal Behavior for Grizzlies to Attack Wolves?

Grizzly bear and wolf habitats commonly overlap in the wild, and these two predators can certainly cross paths. These two types of animals may compete for food or come into conflict. In a fight between a grizzly and a wolf, the grizzly is more powerful and quite capable of killing a wolf. Grizzly bears can also eat wolves if food sources are scarce, but it’s not common. They typically feed on insects, fruits, plants, and small mammals, though they can also eat deer and elk.

What’s unusual about this video is that three bears are attacking the wolf. Grizzlies are typically lone creatures, although they can be together in small clusters, especially if a family unit. In a case like this, if a group of grizzlies senses that a wolf is threatening them, competing with them for food, or could be an opportune meal, they can indeed attack and kill a wolf. But is this kind of scenario common? No, it’s not common–more a rare occurrence.


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About the Author

Hannah Crawford is a writer at A-Z Animals where she focuses on reptiles, mammals, and locations in Africa. Hannah has been researching and writing about animals and various countries for over eight years. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Communication\Performance Studies from Pensacola Christian College, which she earned in 2015. Hannah is a resident in Florida, and enjoys theatre, poetry, and growing her fish tank.

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