January 10, 2004

By: Kyle Smit
Website: http://www.1st-in-mosquito-control.com

National Geographic explorer dares to venture into the land of the great Grizzlies

As thousands of people flock to the country’s national parks this summer, some will cross paths—unintentionally—with hungry, curious bears. But who would seek out bears on their own turf? National Geographic magazine photographer Joel Sartore accepts an ambitious assignment for the July 2001 issue that would give pause to even the most daring adventurers—photographing North America’s largest carnivore, the great grizzly bear. National Geographic EXPLORER journeys with the fearless photographer to the land of the midnight sun to capture an intimate portrait of these fearsome yet intelligent giants in Assignment: Great Grizzlies.

A veteran photographer for National Geographic, Sartore has crawled through his own urine, been attacked by poisonous insects and survived a rare parasitic disease—just to get “the shot.” Now he summons his intrepid nature to gain close access to the mighty predators as they emerge from winter hibernation hungry and dangerous. Sartore starts at Bear Safety Training at Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game to tackle what may be his most dangerous assignment yet for National Geographic magazine. Taught by bear biologist Dick Shideler, Sartore learns bear etiquette and such maneuvers as the quick drop and curl. It is easy enough in practice, but try ignoring the natural instinct for flight when a defensive grizzly is standing a few paces away. These mighty bears may eat close to 90 pounds of food a day to replenish their fat stores—making elk, hornet larvae, clams and even trash all look tasty.

In Assignment: Great Grizzlies, Sartore soon puts his newfound knowledge to the test on the Katmai Peninsula, where grizzlies dine on clams and there is very little human habituation. Here, it is possible to observe as many as 25 bears at a time strolling along a four-mile stretch of beach in search of clams. The suppers are hard won as the bears dig several feet into the sand to reach the prized mollusks—a behavior few people know about and one that Sartore is determined to photograph. Problem is, getting the shot he wants requires getting close, but not too close!

You want a bear with a full stomach, says Sartore, explaining how he could sneak within 20 yards of the brown giants.

Development contributes to the rising numbers of bear-human conflicts as can be attested to by the residents of Deadhorse near Prudhoe Bay, where the bears frequently raid the town’s garbage. Bear hunting is still very much a booming business in Alaska. Though bears only injure about three people a year in the United States, there is no predator in North America with a more formidable reputation. Sartore’s photographs captures the softer side of the powerful grizzly bear as never seen before trying to survive in its last stronghold in the wilds of Alaska. The results of his efforts can be seen in the cover story in the July issue of National Geographic magazine.

Author Notes:

Kyle Smit contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.1st-in-mosquito-control.com.  Find mosquito control products, repellent sprays, traps, netting and other alternative measures for protection.