Bear Island (2007)
A National Geographic documentary exploring the world of Alaskan brown bears through pioneering CRITTERCAM technology and field research.
Bear Island - Movie Information
- Release Year: 2007
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Documentary, TV Movie
- Age Rating (US): PG
- Runtime: 52m
- Original Language: English
- Production Companies: National Geographic
- Production Countries: United States of America
Bear Island - Plot
The majestic Alaskan brown bear is the largest predator in southeastern Alaska, but everywhere, its ancient haunts are under siege. As the modern world closes in, the great bear's world is shrinking and encounters between humans and bears are on the rise. Join researcher LaVern Beier as he uses cutting edge technology to protect this extraordinary species. To observe them on their turf, without risking life and limb, LaVern attempts to deploy National Geographic's CRITTERCAM. Until now, CRITTERCAM has been used almost exclusively on marine animals. Vern and his colleagues are on the cusp of a revolution in terrestrial field science…the opportunity to vicariously walk with bears into the deepest corners of their habitats, where even great hunters barely dare venture.
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Bear Island - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Craig Sechler
Producers
- Paul Spillenger
- Birgit Buhleier
Bear Island - FAQs
What is Bear Island about?
Bear Island follows wildlife researcher LaVern Beier as he ventures into southeastern Alaska to study the region's iconic brown bears. Facing shrinking habitats and rising human-bear conflicts, Beier deploys National Geographic's CRITTERCAM technology to observe these powerful animals in the deepest corners of their world.
What makes Bear Island unique as a wildlife documentary?
Bear Island stands out for pioneering the use of National Geographic's CRITTERCAM on a land-based predator. Previously used almost exclusively on marine animals, the technology gave viewers a bear's-eye view of habitats rarely accessible to humans, marking a genuine breakthrough in terrestrial field science.
Where can you watch Bear Island?
You can find Bear Island on JustWatch, where all available streaming and viewing options for your region are listed. It's a quick way to see which platforms currently carry the documentary so you can start watching right away.
What is CRITTERCAM and how is it used in Bear Island?
CRITTERCAM is a National Geographic camera system designed to be attached to wild animals, capturing footage from their perspective. In Bear Island, researcher LaVern Beier adapts it for use on Alaskan brown bears, allowing scientists to observe bear behavior in remote habitats without putting humans at risk.
Is Bear Island suitable for family viewing?
Yes, Bear Island is rated PG, making it a solid choice for family viewing. It's an educational and visually engaging documentary that introduces younger audiences to wildlife conservation and the challenges facing brown bears in Alaska's changing landscape.
How long is Bear Island?
Bear Island runs for 52 minutes, making it a compact and focused watch. It's the kind of documentary you can comfortably fit into an evening, delivering a complete and immersive wildlife story without overstaying its welcome.
What are some similar documentaries to Bear Island?
If Bear Island caught your attention, you might enjoy Grizzly Man (2005), Werner Herzog's gripping portrait of a man living among Alaskan grizzlies, or Alaska: Spirit of the Wild (1998) for more stunning Alaskan wilderness footage. Both offer compelling perspectives on the wild landscapes and creatures of the far north.
What conservation themes does Bear Island explore?
Bear Island tackles the growing tension between human expansion and wildlife survival. As development encroaches on ancient bear habitats in southeastern Alaska, the documentary highlights how rising human-bear encounters threaten the species, and how science and technology can play a vital role in protecting them.
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