Customer Reviews

Lives of Grizzlies: Alaska

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As the wife of Jim Cole, I can tell you that he has dedicated three (3) decades of his life to the study of Grizzly Bears in their natural habitats. His books took three (3) years to write and spotlight bear families from the lower 48 and Alaska which he has followed for years. Jim gave up a lucrative real estate career to pursue his wildlife passion and has made many sacrifices along the way. As a result of the most recent attack on May 23rd, 2007, Jim is now permanently blind in one eye. Ironically, Jim never considered himself to be a professional photographer. He counts himself as a Grizzly Bear Educator and performs original songs about bears to a wide range of audiences. Jim's books represent his life's work and offer useful insight into the cunning versatility of the great bear. As of the writing of this review, Jim has never been banned from any national park nor have his actions resulted in the death of any bruin. Simply stated, Jim believes these creatures to be the most intelligent and impressive animals on Planet Earth! Yes, his time spent in the backcountry is quite non-traditional; but Jim always was a rugged individualist.

Jim Cole has been ticketed and banned at many National Parks for willing breaking the law and endangering, not only his life, but the lives of the bears. He was recently mauled at Yellowstone and his actions most likely will result in the death of the bear as he pursued and harrassed a mother bear protecting her cubs. We were at Yellowstone during the incident and the rangers said that the photos they found in his camera did not line up with the tale he told.

This is his second mauling because he will risk the life of the bear just to get his money shot. If you are considering buying his books because you love bears, be aware that man is not a advocate for bears but rather will do things that result in their being shot in order to enrich himself.

Jim Cole is a talented photographer and writer. With a keen sense of observation Cole documents in a stunning way with pictures and word his observation of the grizzlies that roam our great National Parks. Together with his book on Grizzlies in Alaska the reader can gain an indepth and personal insight into the lives of these magnificent animals.

As a former realtor, Mr. Cole owes the natural world a large debt, and believes he is doing good work. My opinion, based upon a life lived in the northern rockies, is that bears NEVER benefit from interactions with humans. The natural world is not there for us to enjoy, or understand, or study - it is simply there. If you are looking for a better understanding of bears, read Steve Herreros book and if you like pretty pictures, check out any of the other authors online who do not routinely place bears at risk by forcing encounters.

Cole is in the news for all the wrong reasons: "Photographer, bear advocate cited for getting too close to bruins," by Scott McMillion, Bozeman Daily Chronicle, 3/25/05. Cole has been cited for harassing bear in Yellowstone National Park. He hasn't had his day in court yet, but you've got to wonder. It's easy to get close-up photos of grizzly/brown bears at designated (and well-managed) bear viewing areas in Alaska and Canada. To get publishable photos of grizzly bears in Yellowstone or Glacier, you've got to get so close you put yourself in danger and run the risk of driving the bears away from food they need or a place they want to be. Grizzlies are a threatened species in the lower 48 states. Why bother them when you can get photographs of grizzlies in Alaska without stressing the bears? What kind of bear advocate would do that?