Timothy Treadwell
Grizzly Bear Expert, Wildlife Preservationist and Documentary Filmmaker
Born April 29, 1957 in Long Island, New York, Timothy Treadwell was a self-taught grizzly bear expert, wildlife preservationist and documentary filmmaker. Prior to embarking on his work in Alaska and following his passion for wildlife, Treadwell suffered from serious drug and alcohol problems and had several run-ins with the law before devoting his life to bears; this he credits with turning around his life. Treadwell lived unarmed among the bears in Alaska's Katmai National Park and Reserve for 13 summers and filmed his adventures in the wild during his final five seasons.
Life Among Grizzlies
Timothy Treadwell first visited Alaska in the summer of 1989, when he camped and viewed grizzly bears at the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary. The experience inspired Treadwell to dedicate himself to the protection of the bears and their habitat. By 1992, he was camping independently in Katmai National Park and Reserve, living among the bears as they converged at key salmon runs. During his first 10 years, Treadwell chronicled his experiences and observations in diaries. After hearing about Treadwell's work, Minolta loaned him a still camera to assist him with the documentation of his experiences with the bears. In 1997, Treadwell began to use a video camera to capture daily life in Katmai, as never previously done, for a special he was conducting with Discovery Channel called Grizzly Diaries, which premiered in 1999. After that, Timothy incorporated the use of video into his documenting of the wild.
The Grizzly Man Documentary
The footage he shot over the course of five years became the backbone of Werner Herzog's documentary Grizzly Man, a film about Timothy Treadwell. It is the story of a self-taught naturalist and adventurer who dwells alongside untamed wildlife and portrays him living each day with his complicated self.
On Behalf of Grizzlies
In addition to studying and living with the bears, Treadwell co-authored a book, Among Grizzlies, with friend and colleague Jewel Palovak to share his experiences with the world. In 1998, Treadwell and Palovak formed Grizzly People, a grassroots organization dedicated to the preservation of bears and their habitat. Through this charitable organization, Treadwell educated thousands of school children about bears. Treadwell also used his charisma and growing celebrity to spread the grizzly gospel, appearing on television shows including The Late Show with David Letterman.
A Tragic Ending
In October 2003, Treadwell's remains, along with those of his girlfriend Amie Huguenard, were discovered near their campsite in Alaska's Katmai National Park and Reserve. They had been mauled and devoured by a grizzly, the first-known victims of a bear attack in the park.
That is horrible! The story sounds interesting but darn what an ending!
so really how much "protection" did he do vs self promotion? off my rant now
