The Bear Den

Episode 39 – Teddies, Threads & Teachings In the last episode of this series, Philip reflects on what we have heard in previous episodes identifying the similarities and differences between bear species, as well as recurring threads and themes. We also explore the origins of the Teddy bear, and Colton Galusha, a third... Read more

Episode 38 – Helping Bears Live With People: A Chat with Wildlife Biologist & Founder of Bear-ier Solutions, Heather Reich In this episode, Philip is joined by Heather Reich, a career wildlife biologist with a deep-rooted passion for solving human-wildlife conflict. She is also the founder of Bear-ier Solutions, which produces electric bear mats... Read more

Episode 37- Owls Enchant The Night: A Chat with International Owl Center Executive Director, Karla Bloem The Bear Den is primarily about bears, but our origins come from the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary where a multitude of other species frequent the area. Sandhill cranes, blue jays, ravens, eagles, goldfinches, pine martens, beavers, wolves and a... Read more

Episode 36 – Protect Polar Bears, Protect The World: A Chat with Alysa McCall, Director of Science at Polar Bears International Philip is joined by Alysa McCall, Director of Science at Polar Bears International, the only non-profit with a sole focus on protecting... Read more

Episode 35 – Architects of the Forest: A Chat with Andean Bear Expert Santiago Molina Philip journeys (virtually) to South America to discuss Andean bears, aka spectacled bears with expert, Santiago Molina. Santiago is enthusiastic and effusive, and the conversation bounces from topic to topic. We learn about his journey from initially studying... Read more

Episode 34 – Moral Duty: A Chat about Asiatic Black Bear Rehabilitation in India with Dr. Panjit Basumatary Philip is joined by Dr. Panjit Basumatary, Project Head and Veterinarian for the Centre for Bear Rehabilitation and Conservation (CRBC) in Arunachal Pradesh, India. Wildlife Trust India runs the CBRC, the first specialised rehabilitation centre for... Read more

Episode 33 – Over the Moon: A Chat about Moon Bears with Animals Asia Vietnam Director of Veterinary and Behavioural Husbandry Sarah Van Herpt Philip is joined by Sarah van Herpt, Director of Veterinary and Behavioural Husbandry Services Department for Animals Asia Vietnam, for this episode to... Read more

Episode 32 – A Great Looking Bear: A Chat with Sloth Bear Expert & Director of Conservation and Research for Wildlife SOS, Thomas Sharp We discuss this most unusual bear, and to do this Philip is joined by sloth bear expert Thomas Sharp, conservation and research director for Wildlife SOS and co-chair of the... Read more

Episode 31 – A Bear Is Not Just A Bear: A Chat with Animal Behaviour Expert, Wildlife Consultant & President of the Bear Care Group, Jay Pratte (Part 2) This is the second part of Philip’s chat with Jay Pratte, so if you haven’t heard the first part, what are you doing here? I strongly... Read more

Episode 30 – Bears Just Do Things For Bear Reasons: A Chat with Animal Behaviour Expert, Wildlife Consultant & President of the Bear Care Group, Jay Pratte (Part 1) Today’s guest, in the first of a two-part chat is Jay Pratte – and as you’ll hear he has worked extensively not just with bears but... Read more

Episode 29 – Book club – Else Poulsen: Barle’s Story He’s done it again – Philip’s read another book! In this episode we discuss the “Suarez Seven” and hear about Barle’s Story – a polar bear rescued from a life of misery as a circus act, and her journey to become a happy and... Read more

Episode 28 – Keep The Adventure Going: A Chat with Grant Breidenbach from Bear Vault In this episode of The Bear Den, Philip sits down with Grant to discuss bear safety in the backcountry, the conservation mission behind Bear Vault bear canisters, and how proper bear-resistant food storage plays a critical role in reducing... Read more

Episode 27 – Keep Your Eyes on the Skies: A chat with Photographer Gordy Lindgren all about the Northern Lights Philip chats to Gordy Lindgren, volunteer at the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary and Northern Lights photography expert. Any chance Gordy gets he is out capturing the Northern Lights! In this conversation, he shares his... Read more

Episode 26 – Healing Through Nature: A chat with OFI Australia President Kobe Steele Philip sits down with Orangutan Foundation International Australia (OFIA) President, Kobe Steele. Kobe has led a fascinating life, being the first woman in Australia to host her own national music TV show with plenty of stories to tell, to leading... Read more

Episode 25 – Relentless Snares: A chat with Sumatran Sun Bear Team (SSBT) Founder & zookeeper Lesley Small Back in May 2025, Philip joined Sumatran Sun Bear Team (SSBT) Founder Lesley Small in Northern Sumatra, Indonesia to visit the SSBT rescue facility. One night, they sat down to talk about Lesley’s journey from zookeeping... Read more

Episode 24 – How To Communicate with Your Bear: A chat with zookeeper & Animal Trainer Adrienne Philip catches up with zookeeper and animal trainer, Adrienne to talk about how beneficial training can be in the rehabilitation of rescued bears, and together they reflect on their experiences working with bears in Borneo. The conversation... Read more

Episode 23 – Life Is One: A chat with Filmmaker and Sun Bear Outreach Founder Patrick Rouxel Today Philip chats to Patrick Rouxel. Patrick shares his journey from the film industry to becoming a wildlife documentary filmmaker and conservationist. His documentary “Green” is a multi-award-winning film and is free to watch on YouTube. With... Read more

Episode 22 – Magic Moments: A chat with Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN) Founder Femke Den Haas (Part 2) In the second part of their chat Philip and Femke, founder of Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN), discuss the ongoing issue of dancing monkeys in Indonesia, the establishment of a wildlife sanctuary in Sumatra, collaborating... Read more

Episode 21 – Push for Change: A Chat with Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN) Founder Femke Den Haas (Part 1) In the first of two episodes, Philip talks to Femke Den Haas, founder of Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN). Femke has been described as one of Indonesia’s most effective activists. Femke shares how she... Read more

Episode 20 – Sun Bear Rehabilitation Philip shares his first-hand experiences in Indonesia raising and rehabilitating orphaned sun bear cubs such as Bubu, Shannon and Yogi (he insists that he didn’t name them!). Philip talks about the joys of watching the sun bear cubs learn to be bears but also discusses the challenges and... Read more

Episode 19 – Meet the Interns You’ve heard enough from Philip about the sanctuary – it’s time to hear what the interns think. In this episode, interns from the 2025 season share their impressions and experiences at the sanctuary. From memorable moments with the bears to their favourite fun facts, they give a fresh... Read more

Episode 18 – The First Resort: A chat with Minnesota North Woods local, Cabin O’Pines resort owner, Ross Coyer Philip chats to Ross Coyer, fifth generation owner of the family run Cabin O’Pines resort. Located just a few miles down the road from the sanctuary, Philip and Ross discuss his memories growing up near... Read more

Episode 17 – BearWise: A chat with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Bear Project Leader Andy Tri Philip is joined by Andy Tri, Bear Project Leader for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), for an in-depth conversation on bear conservation and management. Together, they explore Andy’s fascinating career journey and field experiences, diving... Read more

Episode 16 – 2025 Season Overview ft. ABA President Steph Horner Hello! It’s been a minute since our last episode, so to kick things off Philip does some catching up ABA President on how 2025 went at the sanctuary. There is much to discuss, from celebrating the miracle that is flushing toilets to... Read more

The Bear Den 2 Update + Wojtek & Winnipeg Join Philip as he gives a teaser of what’s to come in the next season of The Bear Den, and we hear the stories of two renowned and inspirational bears, Wojtek & Winnipeg! The Bear Den Artwork is by Asha Kaur Contact: pstubley@americanbear.org Find... Read more