How close, is TOO close?

[Steve Kaluski]

This is a clip from the new BBC documentary 'Bear family and me', to be screened next week. For all of you that have seen and watched Polar bears you will know how inquisitive they are, plus their awesome strength. This was not a stunt, but it does illustrate that perhaps they really are, 'the most dangerous animal on the planet'?

Please do NOT try this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKGAqfTxMoc

[Morkel Erasmus]

not available in my country, as per YouTube...

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Morkel, that's a real shame. Not sure why it's not available globally.

Try Gordon Buchanan - Bear family and me, Polar bears

Try this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p012zc93

[Roger Clark]

Steve,
Neither works for me (in the US). First says not available in my country, The second starts then says media selection request failed.

Roger

[Steve Kaluski]

I think this may do it, but skip the ad, thanks Andreas.


Incredible footage of BBC cameraman and hungry polar bearClose encounter with a polar bear - The Polar Bear Family & Me - Episode 1

[Roger Clark]

OK, I can see it now. Wish I was there

Roger

[PhilCook]

Wow, amazing adventure, really give a good indication on just how big these bears are.....a lot of faith being put into a simple door lock on that enclosure

[Andrew Merwin]

Awesome clip. I also wish I was there experiencing this. TFS

[Steve Kaluski]

If I can workout how to add some more clips from this episode I will add them, it's a cool programme and hope the BBC populate in due course.

[Morkel Erasmus]

that's awesome!

[David N Smith]

That is incredible. On one hand I wish I was there but on the other hand I am not sure I would want to be.

David

[Jerry van Dijk]

These bears are soooo scary!

[Leon Plympton]

Whoa -- that's some awesome footage!

I'm good right here in the south - w/ the gators'n'bugs'n'all.

[John Chardine]

I have had close, personal experience with Polar Bears while working in the high Arctic of Canada. They are not an animal to mess with and should be avoided.

I consider this a foolhardy stunt for TV. The BBC, which has an excellent reputation in wildlife cinematography, is going downhill I fear.

[adrian dancy]

Hi John

I might agree that in some respects BBC wildlife films have gone downhill a bit and there appears to be a correlation with the BBC collaborating with Animal Planet (Discovery) productions who unashamedly target a specific demographic. Taking that into account let's look at what's written on the tin: the series was called 'The Polar Bear Familily and Me'. This means the episodes are as much about the cameraman (Gordon Buchanan) as they are about the bears which means if your not interested in a cameraman's journey then you don't watch it. Gordon who was working with Jason Roberts ( polar bear expert) and other biologists who I'm sure would not conspire in taking unnecessary risks. It was Gordon's intent to film a polar bear close to a seal's breathing hole. A specially designed safety cage was engineered for the purpose. Unfortunately the bear showed no interest in the seal hole and decided to check out Gordon instead. I'm sure Gordon would have prefered to have obtained shots of the bear making a kill at the seal breathing hole but you just cannot predict the outcome of these situations which is why safeguards had been taken. I am sure the scientists would not have collaborated if there was any real risk to the bear or Gordon. Cages have long been used to protect against dangerous predators and I would not regard the piece as a 'stunt' and given Gordon's reputation I doubt he would either. Far worse risks have been taken by the likes of Steve Irwin, Austin Stevens and Kim Wolhuter. Kim has been face to face with spotted hyenas at a kill. The following clip is very tame by comparison.



Having said that the above mentioned filmakers have done more than anyone to reduce demonisation of some species and reach an audience who to put it frankly are not interested in scientific delivery, for that I tip my hat to those film makers who clearly took risks and who were aware of those risks.
Just my view.

AD

[John Chardine]

Good post Adrian, thanks.

I would have thought that the expertise and technology was there to film a bear hunting ringed seals and not put anyone at risk of a close encounter. If there really was no risk to the filmmaker because the cage was so well constructed I see no reason to sensationalise the event.