Kodiak bears and Grizzly bears are the same species. Scientists originally thought the Kodiak bear was different because of its large size, but found out later that the larger size is simply due to the higher amount of protein (salmon) in its diet. Genetically, there is no difference.

The Alaska Zoo has a very nice Kodiak/Grizzly named Oreo. By the way, the biggest bears are no longer found on Kodiak Island. Decades of trophy hunters have decreased the average size quite a bit. The biggest bears are found now on the Alaskan Peninsula. Trophy hunters are wiping them out in record numbers too.

Mike