In this episode, we explore the precarious existence of grizzly bears in the United States, focusing on their survival challenges and the intricate interplay between human development and wildlife conservation. From the historical land grabbing and habitat destruction to the current threats posed by climate change, we delve into the struggles of maintaining genetic diversity and the critical need for interconnected habitats. With insights from experts and advocates like Doug Peacock and Terry Tempest Williams, we discuss the pressing issues of delisting, trophy hunting, and the impact of climate change on grizzly bear populations. Join us as we examine the role of grizzlies in our ecosystem and the urgent need for coexistence to ensure their survival and ours.

We include clips from four documentaries on the grizzly bear.

Grizzly Country: https://youtu.be/2_XPRozm4CI?si=M7XpfUKCTuFUCB98

Directed by Ben Moon, presented by Peak Design

The Beast of Our Time: Climate Change and Grizzly Bears: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cfuSIlEIyY

Produced by Save the Yellowstone Grizzly and Never Give Up Films

Peacock’s War: https://youtu.be/2KJ-ia0O71U?si=8aPXc2MG05sKCgMc

Peacock's War, PBS Nature profiles Vietnam veteran Doug Peacock, who's battling to protect grizzly bears while dealing with war memories. Filmed in Montana's Glacier National Park.

Grizzly 399: Queen of the Tetons - PBS Nature Documentary: https://youtu.be/9gXa-bs_9i0?si=_BrGyekmC0h0rPIC

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Resources/Articles:

https://www.counterpunch.org/2024/05/23/grizzly-hunting-is-trophy-hunting/

Doug Peacock, [https://dougpeacock.net/] born in 1942, is a U.S. author, filmmaker, naturalist, and Vietnam War veteran. He is best known for his work dedicated to grizzly bear recovery in the lower-48, his book Grizzly Years: In Search of the American Wilderness and serving as the model for the well-known character George Washington Hayduke in Edward Abbey's novel The Monkey Wrench Gang.

His other books include ¡Baja!, Walking It Off: A Veteran’s Chronicle of War and Wilderness, and The Essential Grizzly: The Mingled Fates of Men and Bears (co-authored with Andrea Peacock). His latest book, Was It Worth It: A Wilderness Warrior’s Long Trail Home, won the 2023 National Outdoor Book Award, and a 2022 award for literature from the American Academy of Arts & Letters.

Doug is the co-founder of several conservation organizations including Round River Conservation Studies and Save The Yellowstone Grizzly.

Jack Eidt is an urban planner, environmental journalist, and climate organizer, as well as award-winning fiction writer. He is Co-Founder of SoCal 350 Climate Action and Executive Producer of EcoJustice Radio. He writes a column on PBS SoCal called High & Dry [https://www.pbssocal.org/people/high-dry]. He is also Founder and Publisher of WilderUtopia [https://wilderutopia.com], a website dedicated to the question of Earth sustainability, finding society-level solutions to environmental, community, economic, transportation and energy needs.

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Executive Producer and Host: Jack Eidt

Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats

Episode 241

Photo credit: National Park Service-CJ Adams