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Grizzly Bear Science and the Art of a Wilderness Life: Forty Years of Research in the Flathead Valley
In all scientific disciplines, there is an expanding gap between what is known by the general public and what is known by scientists. In this book, Dr. Bruce McLellan tries to bridge that gap.
Coexisting with grizzly bears into the future will be an increasing challenge and require a deep understanding of these large carnivores and what factors make their populations tick. Based on perhaps the longest uninterrupted wildlife research project done by one individual, this is the intertwined story of the science underlying our understanding of grizzly bears and family life in the wilderness while following bears.
The story of grizzly bear behaviour and ecology is based on dozens of research papers published in this study, which in turn are based on the actual lives of over 200 radio-collared bears. These chapters are not written “for dummies” but contain considerable substance for people interested in the science behind animal ecology and conservation. The scientific chapters cover topics ranging from the bears’ diet and how it influences changes in body fat and muscle, to how bears are counted and factors that influence births and deaths and regulate population size.
Mixed among the science chapters is the story of how a couple in their mid-20s began the Flathead grizzly project, built a log cabin on the bank of the Flathead River, had babies, and raised them in the wilderness among bears, wolves, and mountain lions. They endured floods that washed away part of their camp, forest fires that burned thousands of square miles, and some very weird people. Both children grew up with grizzly bears and eventually earned their own M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in the ecology of these amazing animals.
Coexisting with grizzly bears into the future will be an increasing challenge and require a deep understanding of these large carnivores and what factors make their populations tick. Based on perhaps the longest uninterrupted wildlife research project done by one individual, this is the intertwined story of the science underlying our understanding of grizzly bears and family life in the wilderness while following bears.
The story of grizzly bear behaviour and ecology is based on dozens of research papers published in this study, which in turn are based on the actual lives of over 200 radio-collared bears. These chapters are not written “for dummies” but contain considerable substance for people interested in the science behind animal ecology and conservation. The scientific chapters cover topics ranging from the bears’ diet and how it influences changes in body fat and muscle, to how bears are counted and factors that influence births and deaths and regulate population size.
Mixed among the science chapters is the story of how a couple in their mid-20s began the Flathead grizzly project, built a log cabin on the bank of the Flathead River, had babies, and raised them in the wilderness among bears, wolves, and mountain lions. They endured floods that washed away part of their camp, forest fires that burned thousands of square miles, and some very weird people. Both children grew up with grizzly bears and eventually earned their own M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in the ecology of these amazing animals.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 24, 2023
21 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 25, 2024
Simply wonderful book! Fascinating book on grizzly bear research, family, and science.
November 9, 2023
If you're out and about in BC or the Alberta Rockies or Eastern Slopes you might bump in to a bear by the trail or the road or your campsite so you should read this book. You'll love it. I learned so much about what bears might be up to. Bruce's stories of tracking and catching bears to figure out what they are all about over five decades are incredible. Imagine raising a wee family in the heart of bear country two hours or more from town not so long ago. A real gem.
March 10, 2024
I found it in my local library’s “This Just In” section and it ended up being so interesting and enjoyable to the end. I think there’s a lot of misinformation about grizzlies out there and this book did a really good job at dispelling a lot of that. I loved all of the sweet family stories as well. I highly recommend it!
September 28, 2024
A very interesting read for anyone interested in grizzly bears, ecology, or just wilderness living! Bruce did an excellent job of balancing lots of well referenced science and data with exciting stories of grizzly bear captures, and anecdotes about life living and raising his family in a backcountry cabin. I found the book captivating and educational, and a real page turner!
October 31, 2024
I really liked this book. Found it to be a great balance between scientific discussions and personal experiences. Other grizzly bear books that I’ve read seem to have a pessimistic tone about the bears future, whereas this one ends on an optimistic note. This was a nice change compared to the other books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2025
An awesome recount of Bruce's career experiences while providing useful and interesting information on grizzly bears ranging from diets, locations, and habits and traits (I'm omitting a few). I'll be reading again soon!
November 24, 2023
Not only is it a very good source of information about bears, but it is also a nice story about live of one family, that spent the whole live in learning and helping bears. I’ve enjoyed the reading.
December 7, 2025
One of the best science books Ive read. The author does an amazing job summarizing his research into grizzly bears. If you are curious about bears and tired of listening to the rhetoric this is
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews