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Eight Bears: Mythic Past and Imperiled Future
Eight Bears: Mythic Past and Imperiled Future | Gloria Dickie
25 posts | 16 read | 14 to read
Bears have always held a central place in our collective memory, from Indigenous folklore and Greek mythology to nineteenth-century fairytales and the modern toy shop. But as humans and bears come into ever-closer contact, our relationship nears a tipping point. Today, most of the eight remaining bear species are threatened with extinction. Some, such as the panda bear and the polar bear, are icons of the natural world; others, such as the spectacled bear and the sloth bear, are far less known.In Eight Bears, journalist Gloria Dickie embarks on a globe-trotting journey to explore each bear's story, whisking readers from the cloud forests of the Andes to the ice floes of the Arctic; from the jungles of India to the backwoods of the Rocky Mountain West. She meets with key figures on the frontlines of modern conservation efforts--the head of a rescue center for sun and moon bears freed from bile farms, a biologist known as Papa Panda, who has led China's panda-breeding efforts for almost four decades, a conservationist retraining a military radar system to detect and track polar bears near towns--to reveal the unparalleled challenges bears face as they contend with a rapidly changing climate and encroaching human populations.Weaving together ecology, history, mythology, and a captivating account of her travels and observations, Dickie offers a closer look at our volatile relationship with these magnificent mammals. Engrossing and deeply reported, Eight Bears delivers a clear warning for what we risk losing if we don't learn to live alongside the animals that have shaped our cultures, geographies, and stories.
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gossamerchild
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Pickpick

Depressing and informative. And grizzly bears are scary AF!

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vlwelser
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Pickpick

Bears are amazing. I love them all. This was very interesting.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4mo
34 likes1 comment
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Chelsea.Poole
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Pickpick

I recommend this for animal lovers and anyone who enjoys learning more about creatures we share a planet with. There are 8 bears left on planet earth. Can we do enough to ensure they survive alongside us? As it stands now pandas are pretty safe since humans think they‘re adorable. But humans exploit the sun bear for their bile, and cause habitat destruction for all 8, mainly the polar bear who may become extinct within my lifetime. A great listen!

AnnCrystal 🥺😢💝. 5mo
Megabooks I enjoyed this, too. Really hard to read about the sun and moon bears. 😢 Pizzle bears are something to think about! 4mo
TheKidUpstairs This was such a good listen. (But as a Canadian, I'm still disproportionately upset by the narrator's pronunciation of "toque" ?) 4mo
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bookwyrm7
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Pickpick

Soft pick because she doesn't mention European bears... Other than that it's a great book, especially for bear lovers.
#Naturalitsy

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AllDebooks
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#Naturalitsy

🐾 Hi 🐾

Here's our reading discussion for April's #buddyread

🐻 Did you like the writing style?

🐻‍❄ Did you have any strong likes or dislikes?

🐻 Did you find anything memorable or impressive that altered your opinion of bears?

🐻‍❄ Do you agree with the rewilding of keystone species or conservation efforts?

🐻 Do you have a favourite bear?

All are welcome to join in the discussion.

See All 32 Comments
TEArificbooks Loved the prose. Loved learning about the ancient myths and legends about bears. Was shocked and disturbed about that the bear bile farms are still such a big thing. Worried about the future of bears and wish I was a gazillionaire so I could establish bear rescues and reserves. 6mo
julieclair I did enjoy the writing style. I listened on audio, and although there were plenty of facts and research presented, the book still flowed easily. Like @TEArificbooks , I was shocked and sickened about the bile farms. So sad. One thing that surprised me, was how smart bears are. Makes the phrase “smarter than your average bear” seem pretty silly, since your average bear is actually very smart. 6mo
julieclair I do agree with rewilding and conservation efforts, but I also sympathize with the farmers and ranchers who lose valuable crops/animals to the bears, not to mention the loss of human life due to bear encounters. It‘s hard to know where the right balance is. 6mo
Bookwormjillk I enjoyed this book. I like when the author tied in literature like Paddington and how he came to be from Peru. This reminded me of another favorite read this year 6mo
yourfavouritemixtape I liked this book a lot because the writing was very fluent and you learned a lot without the feeling of being taught. 6mo
AllDebooks @TEArificbooks Yes, the bile farms were shocking and so difficult to read. I thought she did a great job highlighting the difficulties of stopping this illegal torture. 6mo
AllDebooks @julieclair I listened to the audio too and loved it. I'll probably listen repeatedly. 6mo
AllDebooks @julieclair As to rewilding, I agree it's a complex balancing act. We, as humans, need to completely rethink our mindset on it being our planet. We share it with billions of species who have as much right to be here as we do. We've caused catastrophic damage to their environments and food sources. We can't really complain when they start encroaching into our space in order to survive. 6mo
AllDebooks @julieclair I think the answer lies in legislation, education, public engagement, and support for landowners to adapt their land use. Look at the success of the Knepp estate. These rewilding projects can be monetised, bringing in tourists. 6mo
AllDebooks @Bookwormjillk Yes, I found that really charming and engaging. Who doesn't love Paddington? 6mo
AllDebooks @yourfavouritemixtape It is a beautifully written, informative book. 6mo
AllDebooks I'm so glad you enjoyed this read as much as I did. It's one of my favourite reads of the year so far. It would have been perfect if there was more mention of European bears. 6mo
AllDebooks For anyone didturbed by the bear bile farms. There are a number of charities working to stop it. Links for your information coming next x 6mo
AllDebooks I was shocked to find the WWF last report on bear bile farms was from 2011!!! https://www.wwf.org.la/?200329/Illegal-bear-bile-trade-rampant-in-Asia 6mo
julieclair @AllDebooks 💯 I agree wholeheartedly with everything you said! 6mo
MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm Loved the writing style. I really enjoyed the little jabs she took at people that are part of the problem. Bears are my husbands favorite animal so I knew quite a bit about them and honestly have always had a positive opinion of them. Except for the panda…I‘m not a big fan. 😅 My family and I even got black bear tattoos on a family vacation to Gatlinburg one year. I wholeheartedly believe we should be doing our best to help these animals and ⬇️ 6mo
MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm although I feel for people more directly affected, I do think there‘s a middle ground we can meet in without killing more bears. My favorite bear has always been the grizzly. There‘s something so very wild and “old world” about them. This book may have moved polar bears up a bit though. I cried at the thought that my son could inherit a planet without polar bears. 6mo
bookwyrm7 Unfortunately I got sick and still haven't finished it 😅 However, as a biologist who wanted to specialise in bears I know that my favourite is the Polar Bear and I absolutely hate Pandas 🤣 They may be cuddly but as a species they are absolutely ridiculous (I could write a dissertation on that), not to mention that they are now used by China to get what they want politically exactly because so many people love them and will pay to see them. 6mo
bookwyrm7 On the other hand Polar bears are incredibly resilient, considering just how well adapted they are to a very specific habitat. They are amazing at living in one of the most inhospitable environment on Earth but they are also incredibly intelligent and resilient and try their best to adapt to changes (unlike Pandas who will ONLY eat literally one thing 🤦‍♀️). Unfortunately, things look very dim for them, which is why I left the conservation world. 6mo
bookwyrm7 As for the rewilding of certain species, I don't usually agree with it unless the issues that led to their struggles have already been resolved. This was another reason why I left the conservation world: of you're just keeping a species around for you to feel better about yourself, while the animals keep suffering, struggling or facing some sort of incoming problems or possible extinction (due to climate change, etc), 1/2 6mo
bookwyrm7 Then who are you helping? Why are you keeping these animals around? I think ppl don't realise how little conservation has to do w/ science or biology: if capitalism keeps exploiting everything in its path, there is no future for any of these species. Are you ready to change a whole world-wide system? To give up on comforts like Amazon, fast fashion or buying new smartphones every few years? I wish we could save them. But I don't think it's likely. 6mo
bookwyrm7 With that said, I'm really enjoying the book. So far the author strikes a good balance between exposing the hardships these animals face (as well as some of the locals) while also giving the reader some hope and some happy stories (otherwise it would be a very depressing read...). 6mo
bookwyrm7 I would just like to clarify that I do believe in saving these animals (and many others!). Rewilding can be done well and it's great. I definitely want to save all the bears (except maybe Pandas ?, just kidding...). I definitely get that we keep these species "alive" in the hope of better days. But I also think there should be a balance between keeping it going and knowing when to let go. I hate to see animals suffer. 6mo
40 likes32 comments
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MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm
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Pickpick

5 ⭐️s
An absolutely amazingly well researched book that goes into the eight remaining bear species, their past, present and mostly bleak future. I cried several times. Had to stop taking it to work as my break time read. The bit about the sun and moon bears was especially hard to read. I knew the future of bears (like most things that share this planet with us) was dire, but this was certainly eye-opening.

April‘s #Naturalitsy read.

34 likes1 stack add
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Roary47
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Mehso-so

3✨ I liked how this was put together. There are 8 bear types discussed that happen to be in different regions and continents around the world. The book separated them in sections so they can be discussed one at a time. The author goes to these areas to talk to community members on the experience. There is bear attacks, rehabilitation, animal behavior discoveries, and general knowledge of the bears. It is very informative and enjoyable to read. ⬇️

Roary47 Read for #Naturalitsy 7mo
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Larkken
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Pickpick

This was a fantastic #naturalitsy read that combined travel journalism with the natural history of the eight extant bear species. My local zoo has a sloth bear, and he‘s always been a bit of a mystery to me, and learning about all the other mysterious species was equally charming. Tho I could have done without knowing that bear farming is a thing. Hope reading it is a joy for you too, @AllDebooks

Hooked_on_books I read this last summer and loved it. I‘m with you on the bear farming. That was hard to read about. 7mo
25 likes1 comment
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bookwyrm7
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“Rangila was now tethered not to man, but to earth, as all bears should be.“

I loved this sentence. And to learn that Rangila's story did have a happy ending. In the middle of so much pain it felt good to have some details about the good bits too. 🐻

#Naturalitsy

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julieclair
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Pickpick

There are only 8 species of bears alive in the world today. This interesting and thoughtful nonfiction book explores their history, the culture and mythology around them, and the way they interact with humans. The effects of government policies, public perception, and climate change are also explored, through scientific research and anecdotal evidence. Thought-provoking and very readable.
Looking forward to our #Naturalitsy discussion.

39 likes1 stack add
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Bookwormjillk
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Pickpick

Loved this book and can‘t wait to discuss it with #NaturalLitsy

I know this is a bad idea, but I really want to go hug a bear right now.

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JenReadsAlot
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Pickpick

I loved this! Thanks @AllDebooks #naturalitsy for putting this on my radar!

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DebinHawaii
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Went through the drive-thru this morning g so I could get my 90 Bo us stars. Then I stopped at the nearby Brug bakery to finally try one of their spring special Lilikoi Hawaiian Monk Seals (a roll with lilikoi cream inside) to go with my latte & found they are leaving them on the menu, which makes me happy as they are cute & tasty. 😋

Starting this book for #Naturalitsy #buddyread Looking forward to learning more about bears.🐻🤎

AkashaVampie The pastry looks so cute. 7mo
Chrissyreadit 💛💛💛💛💛 7mo
Sparklemn Adorable! 7mo
Hooked_on_books Your monk seal roll is adorable! 🦭 7mo
70 likes4 comments
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bookwyrm7
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“We have entered the bears' home without permission and selfishly laid claim to what we found there. In the words of Wee Bear, 'someone' s been lying in my bed, ' and, well, here we are.“

So true, and such a good comparison to make!

#Naturalitsy #buddyread

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LitsyEvents
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From @Alldebooks
#Naturalitsy
Hi, our next #buddyread starts today. As this is a relatively short read, I'm going to host this as a read at your own pace. We'll discuss it at the end of April.
I hope you're all well and enjoying the longer days.
FYI - keep your notes on Gleick's The Three Ages of Water and I'll post a discussion thread sometime this month.
My apologies for any inconvenience.

AllDebooks Thank you for the share x 8mo
40 likes1 stack add1 comment
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bookwyrm7
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Wait, no Europe? Unless the Eurasian Brown bear is mentioned and included in the North American chapter (although technically it shouldn't), this does not bode well... 😅
#buddyread #naturalitsy

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AllDebooks
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#Naturalitsy

Hi, our next #buddyread starts today. As this is a relatively short read, I'm going to host this as a read at your own pace. We'll discuss it at the end of April.

I hope you're all well and enjoying the longer days. I will be back to normal in a few more weeks.

All are welcome to join us. Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist.

https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324005087!

@LitsyEvents

⬇️

AllDebooks FYI - keep your notes on Gleick's The Three Ages of Water and I'll post a discussion thread sometime this month. My apologies for any inconvenience. 8mo
See All 13 Comments
bookwyrm7 Joining this buddy read! 8mo
bookwyrm7 Please add me to the tag list too 8mo
IndoorDame Ooh, this is one of the ones on the list that I have easy access to. I‘ll definitely join you guys this month! 8mo
TheSpineView This sounds interesting. At 272 pages it should go fast. 8mo
vonnie862 🙌 8mo
AllDebooks @bookwyrm7 Will do. Welcome to #Naturalitsy 😊 8mo
julieclair Excited for this one! 8mo
55 likes13 comments
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yourfavouritemixtape
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Pickpick

I wanted to get a head-start for this month‘s #Naturalitsy, but it was so interesting, I finished even before the month started.

A journalist travels to the eight bear-species that are left on our planet and tells their story, their past and future in a very engaging yet informative style.

Bears have always been my favourite animals but I didn‘t know that much about them. That has changed now. I will remember the facts I read for a long time.

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LitsyEvents
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Repost for @AllDebooks

#Naturalitsy

A reminder of our upcoming April read, Eight bears - Mythic past and imperiled future by Gloria Dickie. I am ridiculously excited for this one. Have you got your copy yet? 🐾🐻🐻‍❄🐻🐾

All are welcome to join us. Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist.

39 likes1 comment
blurb
AllDebooks
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#Naturalitsy

A reminder of our upcoming April read, Eight bears - Mythic past and imperiled future by Gloria Dickie. I am ridiculously excited for this one. Have you got your copy yet? 🐾🐻🐻‍❄🐻🐾

All are welcome to join us. Please let me know if you wish to be added/removed from the taglist.

https://www.gloriadickie.com/eight-bears

@LitsyEvents

Bookwormjillk Looks like my library hold will come in early April! 8mo
vonnie862 I'm on the waiting list but it may come soon! 8mo
yourfavouritemixtape So looking forward to this!! 8mo
DebinHawaii Hoping my library hold is here soon! 8mo
36 likes4 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
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Pickpick

A fascinating look at the world's eight living bear species. Dickie looked at one aspect of the life of each species and used that as a springboard to examine the relationships between bears and human society around the globe. Very effective, engaging, and interesting way to think about our relationship with the natural world.

Cont'd in comments...

TheKidUpstairs
My one disappointment was with the audio narration. The narrator had a very engaging tone, but holy mispronunciations, Batman! I mostly caught the mispronounced Canadian place names and terms (pretty sure her pronunciation of the word toque will haunt my dreams), but I would imagine other names and terms that aren't American English were also butchered. (Cont'd)
9mo
TheKidUpstairs And I don't know if it was an author thing or a narrator thing, but she kept using the terms Spectacled Bear and Speckled Bear interchangeably, which was rather confusing. So, I recommend reading over listening! 9mo
CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian Oh no I have listened to books with mispronounciations of Canadian English including toque and poutine and it was so painful! 9mo
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TheKidUpstairs
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I've been living the audio books for non fiction lately, but are there not producers or someone checking pronunciations? This narrator was just talking about Polar Bears in Churchill, "Man-toh-bee-ah" and took me right out of it ?‍♀️?‍♀️?‍♀️

Bookzombie Mispronounced words pull me out of stories too. 9mo
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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

There are only 8 bear species in the world, 6 of which are at risk of extinction. Gloria Dickie takes us to each species to teach about what makes them unique and either glorified or vilified. Really interesting, though I‘ll warn you the part about bears farmed for their bile is really hard to read.

#ReadingAmericas2023 #Peru

Librarybelle Oh my! Farmed for their bile??? That would be hard to read…thanks for the warning! 1y
wanderinglynn @Librarybelle the American black bear is poached for its bile. It‘s something I worked on when I was at Interior with US Fish & Wildlife. Super sad & so stupid. 1y
Librarybelle @wanderinglynn I definitely did not know that. So very sad! 1y
BarbaraBB I‘d never thought of bears in relation to Peru. 1y
Hooked_on_books @BarbaraBB The spectacled bear lives in the cloud forest there. It‘s the only bear species native to South America. 1y
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Megabooks
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Pickpick

Truly fascinating science writing! Unfortunately many of these eight bear species are in danger due to climate change and human encroachment making this book all the more urgent. I didn‘t know much about the speckled bear in South America or sloth bears in India before reading this. The chapter about bile farming and sun and moon bears was a difficult read. But the future may be Pizzly in North America as polars and grizzlies interbreed.

vlwelser I have this on my radar. Waiting for the library to wake up and buy copies. 1y
SamAnne Stacked. 1y
75 likes2 stack adds2 comments