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CM . . . .
Volume VI Number 18 . . . . May 12, 2000
Part three of a thirteen-part video series shown on the Discovery Channel
and Animal Planet, this offering looks at grizzlies as an endangered
species. The focus is the saving of endangered species, not necessarily on
the grizzlies, themselves, although many grizzly facts do come out in the
course of the video. The narrator's voice is cooly British and easy to
listen to. The naturalist, Wayne McCrory, is articulate, but he may be
difficult for some younger children to understand. He uses words like
"epitomize," "indicator species," and "ancient natural trilogy," terms
which younger viewers will likely not be able to understand. However, the
narrated sections are neatly interspersed with the interview sections, and
children should not be lost for long.
The footage is spectacular. With the Rockies of British Columbia as a background, how can you
lose? The pictures of the bears are breathtaking, amusing, and sad. The encroachment of humans
into this wilderness area, especially with clear-cut logging, seems a crime. This perspective, of
course, is the view that the producers of the video intended to bring across.
Grizzly information is also included. The regular grizzlies, black bears, Kootenay grizzlies and the
rare white spirit bears (Kamodi bears - a subspecies of black bear) are filmed. Viewers see
grizzlies marking their territory, rubbing trees, reproducing, playing, and fishing. The cubs,
especially, are wonderful to watch, and the producer gives plenty of opportunities to do so.
This video is especially recommended for all classes which study bears specifically, or for biology
or environmentalism classes in general.
Recommended.
Katie Cook is a social studies teacher and a teacher-librarian at the Steinbach Regional Secondary
School in Steinbach, MB.
To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@mts.net.
Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association.
Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice
is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without
permission.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - May 12, 2000.
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