What the Bears Know
How I Found Truth and Magic in America's Most Misunderstood Creatures
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Narrated by:
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Basil Sands
About this listen
In the late 1990s, the town of Mammoth Lakes, California, hired Steve Searles as a hunter to cull half its troublesome bear population. But as he began to prepare for the grim task, the bears soon won him over, and Searles realized there had to be a better way. He soon developed nonlethal tactics to control their behavior and overpopulation that heralded a landmark moment in the care and handling of the American black bear. But change was not without its challenges. To some, his success was dismissed due to his lack of formal academic training. Yet Searles never wavered in his commitment, and eventually became not just local folk hero but a nationally recognized expert. This high school dropout saved not just the bears, but, in many ways, his community.
In a tradition that runs from John Muir to Bear Grylls, Searles finds a fellowship with nature and a deeper meaning in the world of bears. Do bears understand things we don't? Are they dialed in to some greater natural force? Unlike us, bears waste little time on unreasonable fears. Bears are fully in the moment. They have an inner peace that seems to offset their power and strength. That may explain why no other animal on the planet is as revered as the bear. As Searles shares his remarkable knowledge and we become immersed in the ursine world, you'll never look at bears or nature the same way again.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2023 Steve Searles and Chris Erskine (P)2024 TantorRelated to this topic
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What listeners say about What the Bears Know
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- Glynne71
- 01-15-25
Understanding is imperative 
I laughed, I cried, I learned so much! Education seems to me to be the key to so much in life, this was an amazing education for me. Thank you for doing this book! 
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- Sydney Mae
- 12-01-24
Emotional but amazing.
I loved this book so much, I recently started watching his TV show and was totally hooked so I bought this and I was very pleased. it's got some funny stories and some that'll make you cry. The ending had me choked up and had my heart going out this man but all around incredible book. I highly recommend!
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