The Bear Family and me..on NOW!

sunnydale · #1 (**permalink**) 03-01-2011, 08:04 PM

New series....With Gordon Buchannon.

BBC 2! 9 PM.

Tracey.

Goatboy · #2 (**permalink**) 03-01-2011, 09:03 PM

Wow, amazing stuff. To be that close to an animal that could turn on you so easily must be quite a rush.

And what a dramatic story with the lost cub. Doesn't look like there'll be a happy ending though.

Susie · #3 (**permalink**) 03-01-2011, 09:18 PM

That really was very enjoyable. I'll be tuning in for next week's episode.

pammosley · #4 (**permalink**) 03-01-2011, 09:23 PM

What a fantastic programme, I can`t wait for the next episode...........It`s on tomorrow (Tuesday 4th) 9pm

sunnydale · #5 (**permalink**) 03-01-2011, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Susie

That really was very enjoyable. I'll be tuning in for next week's episode.

Susie, the second part is on tomorrow night! Don't miss it!

Brilliant viewing!

Susie · #6 (**permalink**) 03-01-2011, 09:53 PM

Oh heck, thank you both! I would have been most annoyed had I missed it. I really want to see how Hope gets on.

Susie · #7 (**permalink**) 04-01-2011, 08:48 PM

I find it really uncomfortable to watch them hand feeding the bears. I am sure it is an amazing experience and it allows them to get right up close BUT i can't help feeling that when they aren't around if these bears come across people they will associate them with food and, possibly, turn nasty.

Red Robin · #8 (**permalink**) 05-01-2011, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Susie

I find it really uncomfortable to watch them hand feeding the bears. I am sure it is an amazing experience and it allows them to get right up close BUT i can't help feeling that when they aren't around if these bears come across people they will associate them with food and, possibly, turn nasty.

....You must have missed the part of the prog when Gordon introduces his human family to one of the adult female bears and she stays away from them. You have to be confident enough to bridge that first gap and then only feed small amounts so you build a 'trust' which is individual. Most people are sh!t scared and the bears will stay away. You must think positive and also realise that animals can sense much about you.

Btw, the third prog is on tonight - Don't miss it!

Dogghound · #9 (**permalink**) 05-01-2011, 02:58 PM

This is one of the most disturbing programs I have ever seen. They are basically making bears trust humans, they are making bears associate humans with food. What happens when one of these goes upto a member of the public and expects grapes ..... it gets shot. They then interfere further by bringing the cub back to its mother. This basically means any further cubs it has, in the future it "may" abandon them again and expect humans to turn up to the rescue/or the cub to just follow it or turn up. A young mother needs to learn from their mistakes as harsh as it may sound.

I respect Gordon and like his work however on more than one occasion he seems completely unable to tell that the bear is uncomfortable. It would not surprise me if he was the reason behind Hope being abandoned by her mother.

Red Robin · #10 (**permalink**) 05-01-2011, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogghound

I respect Gordon and like his work however on more than one occasion he seems completely unable to tell that the bear is uncomfortable. It would not surprise me if he was the reason behind Hope being abandoned by her mother.

....The prog suggested that the reason the cub was left by her mother was related to being an only cub and not enough milk production and the consequent 'interference' of a mating instinct - Who actually knows? But your suggestion is certainly interesting and possibly so.

In every species, including human, the mother is naturally highly protective of her young and yet these bears allowed a human they already knew and trusted, the older guy Lyn(?), to approach.

However, I didn't read the mother bear's behaviour as being at all uncomfortable and I think that the way the whole 'project' is being handled is good and a very valuable and relevant study in learning more about bears.