Timothy Treadwell, 46, emerged from a period of serious drug and alcohol abuse with the conviction that he was meant to be an eco-warrior.
From June to October of each year he lived alone in a tent on the Alaskan peninsula among brown bears...sans fire or any means of self-defense, even bear spray. He saw himself as their protector against poachers and even licensed hunters.
Photographing, videotaping, and keeping meticulous diaries, Treadwell lived among the great bears. Christening them with names such as Booble, Freckles, and Mr. Chocolate, he sometimes crawled among the alders with them and, at distances of mere feet, would croon "I love you."
Armed with pictures and colorful tales, Treadwell visited elementary schools to educate thousands of children with his view of brown bears. He once boasted that it would be an honor "to end up in bear scat." In September of 2003, Treadwell wrote Colorado rancer and financial supporter Roland Dixon: "My transformation is complete - a fully accepted wild animal - brother of these bears. I run free among them - with absolute love and respect for all the animals. I am kind and viciously tough." He al
Apparently, not tough enough. Qualified behaviorists know that any wild animal exposed long enough to a human being loses all respect for that human being and attempts to dominate them.
Last October, one of the great boars had enough of Treadwell and mauled him to death in broad daylight in Katmai National Park and Preserve. A bush pilot flying in to pick up Treadwell sighted his flattened tent. An old boar was perched on his partially buried remains. What remained of his body, which was largely eaten, were found near the body of his 37-year-old girlfriend.
Park rangers and state troopers called to the scene had to kill the bear guarding the remains - as well as a second that was stalking them.
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A tragedy...but one that a little common sense could have averted. Unfortunately, it is a tragedy that is likely to occur with greater frequency as more and more people whose views of nature are compose largely of gossamer wings and fairy dust, venture into the wild.
Shuckins/Leggern
