Our most famous polar bear, Binky, died from indigestion after biting tourists who climbed into his cage at the Anchorage zoo. Juneau is no exception. To see them, take a hike. If it knocks you out of the tree or tears the tree down to eat you, it's a brown bear . Other distinctive characteristics are the brown bear's hump, dish face and long, straight claws.
Black bears have a Roman nose and curved claws.
Back away slowly and pray. Bears get the right of way. Polar bears have been spotted 50 miles from the nearest ice floe. You'll be frozen long before you get that far. Do NOT rush closer to take photos.