Wildlife camera captures bear enjoying a back scratching session

A bear was caught on camera enjoying a back-scratching session at a national park.

The brown bear was filmed several times on the hidden wildlife camera at Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park using the cottonwood tree to satisfy its itch.

Bears often rub themselves against trees to mark their territory and leave their scent in the area.

Glacier Bay National Park said on social media: "A bear’s necessities: a good back scratch, belly full of berries, and a groovy hip boogie before going on your way.

"Ah, the simple things in life."

They added: "This footage captured as recently as October 22 shows a Glacier Bay bear who has been gorging on salmon in a nearby stream.

"Now that salmon are done spawning, he is continuing to fatten up on bearberry, aka kinnikinnik (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi).

"After a good meal, who wouldn’t want a good stretch and scratch?

"Bears and other mammals in Glacier Bay often use ‘rub trees’ to spread their scent and mark their territory, but it sure looks like a nice way to scratch that itch you just can’t reach…"

Scientists use trail cameras to non-invasively monitor animals in Glacier Bay, leaving the wildlife undisturbed and providing valuable info for biologists.