What the Bears Know: How I Found Truth and Magic in America's Most Misunderstood Creatures—A Memoir by Animal Planet's "The Bear Whisperer"

Steve Searles, a bear whisperer from Mammoth Lakes, California, was hired as a hunter to cull half the town's bear population in the late 1990s. Instead, he developed non-lethal tactics to control their behavior and overpopulation, becoming a nationally recognized expert. He found a fellowship with nature and a deeper meaning in the world of bears, which are revered for their inner peace and strength. What the Bears Know is a warm and poignant exploration of the ursine world that shows that wisdom and fulfillment can come from unexpected places.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 07 December 2023
Publisher: Pegasus Books

The incredible story of how one man went from a hired hunter to becoming one of America's top champions for this iconic animal.

In this wondrous and eye-opening exploration, Steve Searles, the renowned and respected Bear Whisperer of Mammoth Lakes, takes the reader on a journey into the lives of these remarkable creatures and the world we share.

In the late 1990s, the town of Mammoth Lakes, California hired Steve Searles as a hunter to cull half its troublesome bear population. But as he began to prepare for the grim task, the bears soon won him over, and Searles realized there had to be a better way. He soon developed non-lethal tactics to control their behaviour and overpopulation that heralded a landmark moment in the care and handling of the American black bear.

But change was not without its challenges. To some, his success was dismissed due to his lack of formal academic training. Yet Searles never wavered in his commitment, and eventually became not just a local folk hero but a nationally recognised expert. This high school dropout saved not just the bears, but, in many ways, his community.

In a tradition that runs from John Muir to Bear Grylls, Searles finds a fellowship with nature and a deeper meaning in the world of bears. Do bears understand things we don't? Are they dialed in to some greater natural force?

Unlike us, bears waste little time on unreasonable fears. Bears are fully in the moment. They have an inner peace that seems to offset their power and strength. That may explain why no other animal on the planet is as revered as the bear.

As Searles shares his remarkable knowledge and we become immersed in the ursine world, you'll never look at bears or nature the same way again. Warm and poignant, and perfect for anyone who has been fascinated by these majestic creatures.

Weight: 450g
Dimension: 235 x 161 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781639365012