A sow and her two cubs were spotted clamming on the mudflats in a serene foggy environment. After about an hour of quiet observation and trust-building (with us sitting in the mud), the cubs had a sudden burst of energy. One cub began playfully chasing a glaucous-winged gull across the flats.

Her brother stayed off-camera and the mother (about 20 feet away) showed no concern, the cub stood on her hind legs to get a better look at the gull. As it flew farther off, she lost interest mid-chase and became distracted by half of a clam shell. Picking it up, she looked straight at the camera with unexpected confidence, then walked proudly back toward her mother.

This moment has struck a major chord online: over 8 million views on TikTok, and thousands of comments dubbing her “Koda,” the beloved cub from Brother Bear. Despite being a female, the cub’s resemblance and behavior have made her a viral symbol.