The Bear family and me.. with Gordon Buchanan-BBC 2 (3 parts) 3/1/2011 Part 1/3

Thanks for the summay Sheena.

Like you I do a bit of Facebook, looked for the link there then found it through one of the links that you posted. So will be able to see what happens without having to remember another web address - bonus!! 

Thank you for your description and links, Sheena. I saw a programme a year or two ago featuring Lynn Rogers and the excellent work he is doing researching the wild bears. He does so much good work trying to improve their image and change people's attitudes towards bears by helping them to understand these beautiful creatures. It is good that there are people like him about, and it was good to see this latest series giving the bears yet some more positive PR. I feel that far too often too much emphasis is placed on the deep-rooted irrational image of all bears as ferocious and dangerous animals that should be avoided at all costs, or if the bear has the audacity to come close to people, "it must be dangerous and must be killed before it has a chance to harm anyone". Propagating that prejudiced attitude rather than learning to understand and live alongside bears does no-one any good in long term

Bears are not inherently dangerous animals, and there are very few genuine reports of unprovoked attacks where the bear has been normal and healthy. Yes, I have come across cases where an individual has had a brain tumour, been rabid, been starving and tried to predate a human in desperation, etc, and these cases are always over-hyped in the press. So often the problem is the people, for instance, if a bear has been cornered or is defending young and people are not been able to understand bear language, a conflict can occur. Also, a bear that has had past bad experiences of people can appear more aggressive because it is scared or feels under threat.

A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to go to Alaska to the Katmai National Park and walk among bears - grizzly bears in this instance. Out there, humans are a part of the scenery for the bears, to the point that we were happily tucking into our lunch on the tidal flats while the bears were catching theirs from the river mouth close by - neither species being interested in swapping lunches. The whole trip was a magical experience, and I felt privileged to be able to observe bears so closely without them being in the slightest bothered by our presence. There is something special when you sit on a piece of driftwood on the beach, and the alpha male walks ten feet in front of you and all you get is a sideways look from those brown doggy eyes as he goes about his business.

WOW!!

Lucky you Trochilus. What an absolutely unforgettable experience!!

Cheers

Pipit

Hi Trochilus

Thank you for your interesting post

I am surprised has many people have been followers of the Bears even before the programme appeared on the TV.... like yourself

This is pushed Dave and I into  looking at the Bear videos a little more more.  I see that there are links on my other Forums as mentioned here, so that is good that we can follow them to see how the bears are here and now

A new trend had started now, and all at a touch of a button on here - for bears! {wink}

Regards

Kathy and Dave

Thankyou guys ,pleased you enjoyed my post and links.For all those of us who followed Hope from birth, it has been very moving.Especially seeing a tiny weak bear coping without her mum.Thank goodness for people like Lynn Rogers as Trochilus has said is so wonderful and dedicated to his work.

Seeing mum and Hope finally back together and rolling about playing was soooooo moving too,couldn't see the video for tears of joy :0)

Meant to say,if anyone wants to follow Lily and Hope on FBook, all you need to do is a search for Lily the Black Bear and it brings everything up.Definitely worth watching their antics.:0)

thanks for that sheena - i had just come across the programme by chance so have missed lots of the story

izzy

And a great story it is Izzy......Thankyou and enjoy :0)))

Hi Soosin

Glad that you enjoyed the programme

There was something endearing about the whole sequence of events between Gordon and the Bears.

I am sure that Gordon will remember this experience for the rest of his life

Regards

Kathy and Dave