Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Film’s grizzly content has experts looking at talking points

“Bears are not suited to, nor do they seek, close relationships with humans.”

That’s one of the talking points from a memo distributed this week to top grizzly bear biologists.

The scientists might not need the reminder – the memo was simply meant to prepare them for potential media interest after tonight’s national television premier of the documentary “Grizzly Man” on The Discovery Channel, said Doug Zimmer, a spokesman for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The 2005 documentary tells the tale of Timothy Treadwell and his love affair with Alaska’s grizzlies. The film uses Treadwell’s own footage to chronicle the 13 summers he spent in the Katmai National Park backcountry living near bears.

In some scenes, Treadwell professes his love for the grizzlies, even touching and petting the massive bruins. Other parts of the film have Treadwell, a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, raging against tourists and government scientists who come to see the bears.

Three years ago, Treadwell and his girlfriend were mauled and eaten by a grizzly. His video camera recorded the sound of the attack, which is not included in the documentary.

Many bear scientists were horrified by Treadwell’s actions. And even though he was killed for getting too close to bears, in many other scenes Treadwell interacts easily and freely with grizzlies. Scientists worry the film could encourage others to try to cuddle up to a bear, Zimmer said.

“What I saw (of the footage) made me cringe,” Zimmer said. “As a person who’s worked with bears and bear safety issues, it’s upsetting to me to watch Timothy Treadwell.

“A person has the right – within some bounds – to put themselves at risk. I don’t believe you have the right to put others at risk. I don’t believe you have a right to put other life forms at risk for your personal gratification.”

The bear believed to have killed the two was later shot. That’s another reason why approaching bears is a bad idea, according to a copy of the talking-points memo issued by the Fish and Wildlife Service and distributed to federal and state grizzly bear scientists this week. A copy of the memo was shared with The Spokesman-Review.

The memo offers several suggested answers to bear biologists who might be questioned about the documentary. Below are some of the points stressed:

“Bears are large and powerful carnivores capable of injuring or killing people.”

“Bears are best viewed from a distance. … With bears, the best location for a human is distant enough to avoid disturbing the animal. In determining this distance, consider that a bear can reach 40 mph in seconds.”

“Although some bears may seem fairly tolerant of humans, misinterpreting this tolerance can have disastrous results for both humans and bears.”

The memo offers little direct judgment of Treadwell’s actions, other than noting his activities did not comply with recommendations for behavior around bears as established by a committee of scientists.

The Web site for Grizzly People, an organization founded by Treadwell, describes him as “a friend to all species and a great steward of this planet.” Coincidentally, the organization has bear safety tips posted on its site – topping the list is a reminder to stay at least 100 yards from bears.

“Grizzly Man” airs tonight on The Discovery Channel at 8 p.m.