Overview

• A grizzly bear charged at Seattle Kraken mascot Buoy and forward John Hayden during a June 25 fly-fishing video shoot in Katmai National Park, Alaska
• The close-call encounter was posted July 31 and has since gone viral, prompting widespread discussion of wildlife safety in promotional shoots
• No participants or animals were harmed and the Kraken have affirmed their commitment to respecting wildlife in future activities
• On August 7, Ingrid Newkirk sent a formal letter to CEO Tod Leiweke criticizing the fishing component as cruel to fish and urging the team to abandon such practices
• The incident has renewed calls for strict adherence to National Park Service and Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee guidelines during remote wilderness marketing events