Book Review: Grizzly Confidential; A Deep Dive into How We Can Learn to Coexist with These Fierce Predators.

In a country where more and more once unpopulated landscapes are taken over by apartment buildings and skyscrapers, how do we continue to coexist with wildlife? Especially when the wildlife in question is the grizzly. Creatures who were born to roam—and fight. After all, brown bears evolved in fields and open spaces, according to Grizzly Confidential, meaning in order to survive, they had to stand their ground and fight for their food, resources, cubs, and lives. And with both males and females weighing up to 600 and 350 pounds, respectively, with the capability of running up to 40 miles per hour, they’re likely going to win.

But when wildlife and civilization seem to continuously bump into each other, how do we make that work? Coexisting with bears is a modern conundrum with no easy answer. Yet Kevin Grange tackles this issue head-on in his new book Grizzly Confidential: An Astounding Journey into the Secret Life of North America’s Most Fearsome Predator.

 

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Readers will likely find Grange’s starting place of his journey into the life of bears relatable. Like many, Grange found bears fascinating as a child, but that interest took a back seat to life. And as an adult he still had an interest but also a deep fear of bruins. 

The first chapter opens with Grange attending a human-bear conflict relationship conference. It sets the scene for the bear’s situation in North America and gives a sobering look at how even humans with the best of intentions play a role in creating so-called “problem” or “nuisance” bears. (Anyone who used that phrase at the conference, Grange explains, was quickly corrected with a blast of an airhorn). It helps 

From there, the author embarks on a journey, exploring everything from classes on how to best deploy bear spray, teaching children bear safety in the remote Alaskan village of Akhiok, the dark side of for-profit wildlife parks, and even talks with researchers trying to understand what happens to a bears body during hibernation so they can potentially help humans suffering with diabetes, heart disease, and other ailments. Grange eventually makes his way to the remote Alaskan peninsula, where humans can visit but it’s very much clear they are in the bear’s territory, not the other way around.

Grange takes a frank look at the state of bears and human-bear relations in North America. He doesn’t shy away from the myriad of issues facing these important giants. But Grange also gives the reader something I think is missing in a lot of environmental stories: hope.

It may sound cheesy, but think about it. There’s no shortage of books, movies, articles, and podcasts talking about the irreversible destruction of the planet. But if you don’t give readers hope then why even try to make it better? Instead, Grange gives readers a deeper understanding of these creatures through his incredible journey into their lives. And with that newfound knowledge readers are armed with both small and large changes they can make in their own lives to help ensure grizzlies will be a part of our landscapes for generations to come.