Among Grizzlies is a memoir by Timothy Treadwell, co-written with Jewel Palovak, which was published in 1997, and chronicles Treadwell’s experiences living among grizzly bears in Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve.
Beginning in the late 1980s, Treadwell spent 13 summers in the Alaskan wilderness observing, photographing, and forming what he believed were personal relationships with grizzly bears.
Treadwell presents himself as a protector and friend of the bears, naming them and claiming to understand their personalities and behaviors. He was deeply concerned about human encroachment and poaching, and he viewed his work as a way to raise awareness and protect the bears. The book often reflects a spiritual, almost mystical connection with wildlife, portraying bears as noble creatures misunderstood by society.
Treadwell also shares how his time in the wild helped him recover from personal struggles, including substance abuse, and gave him a sense of purpose.
Treadwell’s narrative is part adventure story, part personal reflection, and part environmental plea. He often portrayed himself as a lone guardian of the bears, though critics have argued that he misunderstood bear behavior and romanticized the dangers.
TIMOTHY TREADWELL’S DEATH
Timothy Treadwell and his girlfriend, Amie Huguenard were killed just six years later in October, 2003, at Katmai National Park, Alaska.
Treadwell and Huguenard were killed and eaten by a grizzly bear, marking one of the few fatal bear attacks in Katmai’s history. The attack occurred late in the season, when most bears were preparing for hibernation and food sources were scarce.
Details:
- Treadwell had overstayed the usual seasonal window he followed for safety, remaining into October.
- A bear unfamiliar to him (possibly more desperate and aggressive due to food scarcity) was likely responsible.
- A video camera in their tent captured audio (not video) of the attack, which has never been released publicly.
- Rangers later found their partially consumed remains and a large bear that was shot and killed during recovery efforts.
Legacy and Controversy
Treadwell’s story remains divisive:
Supporters admire his passion, courage, and commitment to wildlife preservation.
Critics, including many bear experts, argue he was reckless, anthropomorphized wild animals, and ultimately endangered both himself and the bears he claimed to protect.
His life and death were the subject of Werner Herzog’s 2005 documentary, Grizzly Man, which uses Treadwell’s own footage and interviews to explore his psyche, mission, and tragic end.
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