The Bear Man (also known as A Man Among Bears) is an American documentary produced for the National Geographic Channel which follows the life and work of 'Bear Man' Ben Kilham, who has adopted and raised over 45 black bears and successfully returned them to the wild.
It originally aired in the USA on National Geographic Channel on Saturday 8 March, 2008. It is an hour long.
The Bear Man aired for the first time in South Africa on DStv's National Geographic Channel on Thursday 12 June 2008, at 22h00.
It aired on DStv's Nat Geo Wild channel on Thursday 21 August 2008, at 21h00.
Repeats
Friday 22 August: 00h00, 03h00
Sunday 24 August: 12h00, 21h00
Monday 25 August: 01h00, 03h00
Synopsis
Twelve years ago, maverick bear expert Ben Kilham tested the limits of nature by studying black bears up close and personal — becoming one of the most successful rehabilitators of black bear cubs by taking on the role of “mother” bear, interacting with the cubs as if he were their mother.
Now, after raising 50 bear cubs, he is setting out to prove that bears are far more intelligent and social than scientists currently believe.
Follow Kilham into the woods of New Hampshire as he gains valuable insight into the bears’ every move — and in the process, challenges mainstream theories about this misunderstood creature.