Black bear guy in NH on National Geographic

[ForeverWild]

National Geographic last night showed a fascinating program about New Hampshire licensed bear rehabilitator Ben Kilham, who, over the last 12 years, has raised 50 black bear cubs from infancy. He's followed around one of his earliest "foster bears" throughout her life. He believes that his interactions with her, her sister, and their offspring have provided him with unique insight into black bears' social interaction, intelligence, and communications.

Kilham never became a scientist because his severe dyslexia made school very hard for him, and he had no confidence in himself. At age 40, however, he learned his IQ is extremely high, and now he's prevailing on recognized bear experts to listen to what he's learned. They, of course, are saying, "Ahem, your sample is one bear. OK, maybe two. Not enough."

He seems more grounded in reality than poor soul Timothy Treadway in Alaska who got himself and his girlfriend killed by bears. But still, Kilham is doing some scary stuff that will make you hold your breath.

NatGeo blurb here: NatGeo blurb about program here.

The show is well worth recording. If you're interested, I recommend double-checking the time on your own cable/satellite provider. NatGeo says it will be repeated on Mon., March 10, at 11 a.m. (My program guide, however, says 12:00 noon.)

There's also a 3.5-min. video preview on the NatGeo site, here.

[timetohike]

Unfortunately I don't get the NG channel. So I'll have to rely on others who see the program to tell me about it.

I watch the clip and I was troubled by the rather broard attack on scientists. He may have been critized by some animal behaviorists for his methods, but that would not justify a sweeping condemnation of scientists.

The blurb states "Bear expert Ben Kilham wants to change current scientific thinking about black bears. He hopes to show that black bears are intelligent, and that their share social interactions have parallels with human society. "

Are those two conclusion in doubt? As to the first, one only need to fill a bear vault 200 with food and leave it near the colden campsite. And I heard Marlin Perkins proclaim 45 years ago that most animals have social interactions similar to humans.

The clip leaves an impression I hope is not correct - that he has turned these bears into personal pets. That would not be good for the dignity of the bears.

[Simon1]

bear guy

I watched that program last night and there were certainly some parts that made me hold my breath. No one likes to see a bear false charge. But I thought that the techniques he was exploring in so far as problem bears are concerned are interesting.

[Bill I.]

There is an excellent article in the current issue of NG magazine about the intelligence, social interaction, and problem-solving skills of animals. The article points out the danger of "anthropomorphizing" animals--reading into animal behavior human attributes that aren't there.

According to the author, the scientific view for years was that animal behavior could be described strictly in terms of stimulus/response. However, in evolutionary terms, this did not explain where human intelligence originated. Biologically, humans are animals too, and the cognitive abilities that we possess didn't just develop out of thin air. If one animal species has the ability to do certain things, then so too should other species.

So various researchers have been using experiments to determine to what extent various species might have self awareness and cognitive skills: the ability to learn and retain English words; the ability to understand and even communicate in simplified sentences; the ability to recognize an image of oneself in a mirror; the ability to equate a picture of an object with the object itself; the ability to use (and even make!) tools; the ability to observe others to either determine social rank or to imitate their behavior. It's really a fascinating article.

[redhawk]

Humans have always given themselves credit for more intelligence than they have and have always given animals less credit for the intelligence they possess.

And that's just not too smart. just look at the attempts by humans to prevent raccoons from getting into things. And look at the success of raccoons in thwarting those plans.

Hawk

[timetohike]

There is an excellent article in the current issue of NG magazine about the intelligence, social interaction, and problem-solving skills of animals. The article points out the danger of "anthropomorphizing" animals--reading into animal behavior human attributes that aren't there.

According to the author, the scientific view for years was that animal behavior could be described strictly in terms of stimulus/response.

That sounds like the Koko the gorilla sign language debate that has been ongoing since the 1970's.

[Bill I.]

That sounds like the Koko the gorilla sign language debate that has been ongoing since the 1970's.

The article isn't about Koko, and actually focuses mostly on species other than primates: dolphins, ravens, parrots, dogs, etc.

[Lute Hawkins]

That was a good program and I hope he follows up with the mirror bit (designed to test or suggest self-awareness in bears). I wish our own Growly Bear was here to give his perspective.

[ellsaf]

About when can we expect growly to crawl out? I kinda miss the ol feller.

[Lute Hawkins]

I think ADK bears usually mosey on out sometime in April, but go back in if they can't find anything worth eating. Sorta like bachelor life on a saturday night when you don't have a date.