Among Grizzlies

Rating:
Summary: Don't Bother The Bears...They're Wild!
Review: "A heart-stopping eco-adventure, a testimony to both the grizzlies and their courageous protector." ... People Magazine

I cringed with muffled laughter when I first saw this statement from the folks at "People Magazine" and within the pages of "Among Grizzlies" here today...just hours after I read in "Alaska" magazine the account of how Tim Treadwell and his girlfriend were killed by Alaskan grizzlies.

I'm sorry...but the decade or so that Treadwell spent amongst the grizzlies of Alaska were nothing but an "ego" adventure and I'm still trying to figure out who "People" or Treadwell, for that matter, thought he was protecting the wild grizzly from.

In the February, 2004 issue of "Alaska" magazine, Nick Jans, at the conclusion of his article about these tragic deaths and why they may have occurred stated this as his float plane glided along Kaflia Lake (site of the maulings and deaths) just prior to take off and referring to a huge male grizzly they had just observed...

"In another few days he'd clamber up the mountain, burrow into his den and go to sleep for the winter. He didn't need anything from us. He wasn't our friend. He had no name. All he wanted was to be left alone."

The more books of this type that are written and read, the least likely the chance that the Alaskan grizzly will be left alone.

Rating:
Summary: A Gruesome Lesson In Human Recklessness
Review: Like many reviewers here, I've had a fascination with grizzlies since I was a boy, and Treadwell's book, though I've only read snippets of it, is fascinating. The man definitely had a way with bears, and as much as I'm fascinated with his stories, I'm just as appalled by them too, which brings me to my point: How far should a person go to risk life and limb, to completely abandon reason and logic - all in the name of 'research' - to study a creature with the capability of decapitating a man with one swipe of it's paw? Answer: Never!

To be sure, this devil-may-care approach DOES make for entertaining reading, but sadly, the consequences can be, sometimes are, and in this case, WAS, just too great. The result: Fate finally caught up with Tim Treadwell.

Perhaps of even greater concern is that it sets a poor example for others to follow, especially impressionable folk who fancy themselves would-be Grizzly Adams or Tim Treadwells. Treadwell himself admitted that he was terrified of this.

...and then there's this thing about giving grizzlies cute and cuddly names that erases all semblence of the dangerous predators that they are, and reduces them into something akin to cute, overstuffed teddy bears. Treadwell's comments during interviews, a la David Letterman indicate that he thought of these creatures as 'party animals'. Give me a break!

Finally, there's Treadwell the man. Anyone even vaguely familiar with Treadwell's background, with it's drug and alcohol addictions, his self-confessed "barely self-contained anger", would probably come to the conclusion, as others here have, that Treadwell had a secret deathwish. After all, anyone who would comment that "It would be an honor to wind up as bears**t" can't be firing with all cylinders.

Well, several months ago his wish was granted, and though his death was a tragedy, I consider his girlfriend's death an even greater one; it's ashamed that innocent people have to suffer for the egotistical foolishness of others. Also, two bears were killed, which made this already tragic scenario even MORE tragic.

In closing, I thought at first that Treadwell's untimely demise was totally needless, a sensless event that didn't have to happen - given his options for protecting himself. After giving this matter a little consideration however, I realized it DID have an intrinsic value of sorts, especially to all would-be Treadwell imitators. To wit: When dealing with dangerous animals leave your ego at home and bring a healthy dose of common sense instead. Better yet, bring a rifle.

Rating:
Summary: CAUTION - Author mauled to death
Review: I have not read this book, but I think that it is important for potential readers to know that the author and his girlfriend were both mauled to death by bears in Katmai National Park and Preserve on the Alaska Peninsula in October 2003.

Rating:
Summary: edjit
Review: suicide-30 bucks (pills)
suicide by cop-300 bucks (bullets)
suicide by bear-priceless (book goes best seller )

Rating:
Summary: ...well, if you've got nothing else to do...
Review: Considering how Tim met his unfortunate demise, and his lady friend's as well - this may seem cold. But somehow, the words "I don't think so, Tim" keep coming to mind. Many summers spent hiking and camping in the Sierra Nevada taught me to respect not only bears, but all wildlife. Much the same as ocean swimmers should respect sharks; people in the wilderness should respect any animal capable of "decapitating them" in less than a heartbeat. And a grizzly bear fits that description.
Tim Treadwell seems to have "Yogi Bear" in mind, not "grizzly bear". The story of his nearly killing himself with drugs, but then recovering to live in the wilderness among the animals is wonderful as a story; but the wildnerness is harsh even to those who "know what they're doing". Hearing that Tim did not know of the abundance of food, or fresh water - or even how dark it gets at night - would be almost humorous if they weren't so sad. It seemed that his death was almost a fait accompli when he first set foot in Katmai - without really knowing what he was getting himself into. Humans are not bears, and Katmai isn't Southern California. If you do read this book, and surely news of his death will prompt readership - do so knowing that the good Tim did is only good if it keeps others from making his same mistakes.

Rating:
Summary: Quincy
Review: The book disturbed me greatly when I read it. I'm so fed up with elitists who despise their own species and go and glorify wild animals. The author was so happy when his favorite bear "Quincy" showed up on his last day on earth that he laughed and congratulated himself during his last phone call. It's a terrible thought, but I rather think Quincy ate him and his girlfriend. I wonder what he thought of Quincy before he died.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book! A Tragedy and a Shame
Review: I read this book several years ago now, and after reading it, I wanted to be right there next to Timothy, living this fascinating experience. Granted, there are some parts of this book that even had ME shaking my head and thinking, "this guy is crazy", but I also admired him and almost envied him. I wouldn't have been so bold as he was, but just to be within yards of these bears, as he was, would be indescribable. He devoted his life to the protection of these bears and his death, and that of his girlfriend, is an unfortunate tragedy that shouldn't happen to anyone. There are some people who say that "it was just a matter of time" and "the guy's a fool". These same people are now saying "I told you so." Well, I can't feel that way about it. His book was a captivating read. He brought this world to the reader...the bears world "behind the scenes", so-to-speak. I enjoyed reading about all the bears and their antics. Among them were fishing in the creek, and sliding down the slippery stream bed holding their hind feet with their paws and, as he observed, apparently enjoying themselves. (This part of the book brought a smile to my face.) So many people perceive bears to be almost evil...Timothy brought a whole new aspect into the picture. When is the average person ever going to see bears that up close and personal again? Where will one ever read about bears in their natural environment, interacting with each other, as he describes and talks about in this book? I thank him for what he did, not just filming all his experiences, and writing this wonderful, entertaining book, but also for his avid protection of these great animals from so many poachers who sought them out. He was truly a one-of-a-kind person and I, for one, was greatly saddened upon hearing of his death. I don't think there will ever be another person like him. If you love wildlife, and are fascinated by the many aspects of it...then read this book. It is truly an entertaining read.

Rating:
Summary: Maybe the methods and ideas should be revisited
Review: Well now we know what can happen when people push bears too closely. The warm fuzzy feel good folks ended up dead and the bears ended up dead. This is what happens when common sense takes a back seat.

Rating:
Summary: Tim Treadwell is dead
Review: Considering that Treadwell and his girlfriend are now dead, mauled by a bear, I would say that his methods and philosophy deserve some revisiting. No disrespect intended.

Rating:
Summary: Provoking nature only to kill it?
Review: That is bear territory. If we go there we are jeprodizing ourselves and the bears. Nobody wins. No one doubts that bears will (eventually) try to eat humans if given the chance. If you do go bring bear spray or something. If you kill a bear, even in self defense, you should be severly penalized (huge fines/jail time). YOU are the idiot who went to bear country. It's like sticking your hand in a bee's nest. Dugh! So do the bears a favor, don't temp/provoke them only to kill them with your gun! This is bordering animal cruelty. By the way - being there IS provoking them.