www.yellowstone-bearman.com/Tim_Treadwell.html
won't you come out tonight, And dance by the light of the moon ? " Buffalo Gals" John Renfro Davis --1844 Foreword Some readers may find the following information, and examination disturbing. Others will find it interesting, informative, and hopefully educational. At the very least, we can learn from someone else's mistakes. Night Of The Grizzly chronicles the last remaining moments of Tim Treadwell, and Amie Huguenard's lives. The discovery and investigation revolving around their deaths, and what led up to their tragic end. An attempt will also be made to theorize what actually took place in camp that stormy night back in 2003, by piecing together bits and pieces of a 6 minute audio recording left behind. As I researched this incident, I quickly realized that Tim and I had quite a bit in common, and I totally understand his passion. The grizzly bear symbolizes wilderness, and a simpler time. There are no highways or skyscrapers in the world of the bear, but there are boundaries. However, had we met, Tim and I would have no doubt had some heated discussions about how I thought he was doing more harm than good with his behavior in Alaska. Habituating bears to the presence of man only increases the chance that harm will someday come to the bear, or another "man". Otherwise this would have sat in the archives gathering "electronic" dust. Any mistakes are mine alone, and hopefully I will catch them, sooner or later. You get to read a free book----while it's being written, revised, and edited ! I hope Jewel Palovak, as well as other family and friends of Tim and Amie can somehow find peace in their lives. Special Update Note: On March 2, I received a long awaited 2 inch thick file from Katmai National Park containing virtually every written document, park violation, and other correspondence regarding Tim Treadwell. Also included are copies of Tim's letters and notes to the park service, as well as letters and interviews from visitors, and licensed guides to the Katmai area regarding Tim's activities, camps, etc..... Most of which is very interesting, and never before released. From this date forward all updated information will be highlighted in Blue. If someone had told me back in October 2003 that I would be investigating and writing about this incident for several years, I would have laughed. Kevin Sanders, Yellowstone National Park March 10, 2006 Warning: What you are about to read is graphic in detail Revised March 10, 2006--Originally published online October 14, 2003 Best viewed with Netscape Tim Treadwell and Amy Huguenard Timothy Treadwell and Amie Huguenard--AP Photo 2003 News From Alaska For 13 summers, Timothy Treadwell fled California for the wilds of Alaska, where he set his camp among some of the largest and most numerous brown bears left in North America. Treadwell gained national celebrity status after his appearance February 20, 2001 on CBS's David Letterman Show promoting his 1997 book "Among Grizzlies: Living With Wild Bears in Alaska" along with his close-up photographs and video footage, often showing him within arms reach of large brown bears, or creeping on all fours towards a sow and her three cubs, talking in a soft, child like, sing song voice. kaflia bay--Katmai national park, alaska The remains of Tim Treadwell, 46, a self proclaimed eco-warrior, and photographer along with girlfriend Amie Huguenard, 37, a physicians assistant, both of Malibu California were found Monday October 6, 2003 in Katmai National Park and Preserve on the Alaska Peninsula after the air taxi pilot; Willy Fulton who had flown in to pick the couple up near Kaflia Bay contacted the National Park Service and Alaska State Troopers to report that a brown bear was sitting on top of what appeared to be human remains near the camp. Katmai park ranger Joel Ellis received the call from Andrew Airways at 1:35 PM. Ranger Ellis then requested that Willy Fulton be contacted by radio and asked that he remain "nearby, if he could do so safely". Willy then lands again about 1 mile west of the camp on the western shore of the lake. At 3:20 PM ranger Ellis joins up with two other park rangers at the airport and depart in a park service Cessna 206 with ranger pilot A Gilliland at the control, and ranger D Dalrymple in the back seat. Ranger Ellis also has park dispatch contact King Salmon State Troopers as well as Alaska Fish and Game, requesting that they meet the park rescue team at Kaflia Lake near Tim and Amie's camp. On arrival at the lake, ranger Ellis conducts a quick interview with Willy Fulton. Willy states that he "could not be 100% sure, but was confident that something was wrong". As they approach the area, ranger pilot Gilliland spots a large adult bear near the top of the hill where the campsite is supposedly located. After exiting the plane the four begin slowly hiking up the path from the lake, yelling as they walk to help locate any surviving victims and to alert any nearby bears of their presence. Ranger Ellis states that "the visibility was poor, with a heavy growth of bushes and tall grass. The camp was located on top of a ridge and out of our sight. We had radio contact with Alaska State Troopers Hill and Jones", who were forced to park their plane 300 meters away and would have to hike through the thick brush, " so we elected to wait at the base of the hill until Troopers Hill and Jones could catch up". Ranger Ellis was standing with ranger Gilliland to his left, and ranger Dalrymple slightly ahead of Gilliland with Willy Fulton standing behind ranger Gilliland. Ranger Ellis states that he turned and "saw an adult bear moving toward the group about 20 feet away". All four begin yelling in hopes that the bear would see them and move away. Ranger Ellis then states that he "perceived that the bear was well aware of their presence and was stalking them". handgun begins to fire at about the same time rangers Gilliland and Dalrymple, who were each armed with 12 gauge shotguns loaded with slugs, also begin to shoot at the bear. Ranger Ellis fires 11 times, while rangers Gilliland and Dalrymple each fire 5 times dropping the bear 12 feet away. After about 10 seconds the bear dies and Willy Fulton then reportedly says "I want to look that bear in the eyes", and states that he is sure that this was the bear that chased him back to his plane earlier. Site of Tim and Amie's Camp NPS area near tim's last camp and site of death Two tents were discovered, both collapsed and torn, however there was no evidence that the bear had pulled the victims from the tent. In front of one collapsed tent was a large mound of mud, grass and sticks. After moving a clump of dirt, ranger Ellis later recalled seeing "fingers and an arm protruding from the pile". Both Tim and Amie's shoes were also found, neatly still in place at the entrance to the main tent. Rangers Ellis and Dalrymple then hike back down the path to retrieve cameras from the plane. As they were doing so, ranger Dalrymple yells that another bear was approaching. The two climb onto the plane's float as a large adult bear moved down the hill from the camp. Because the bear did not appear to be acting aggressively the rangers allowed it to move off. "His head connected to a small piece of (spine}", and what has been described as a frozen grimace on his face. "His right arm and hand laying nearby with his wrist watch still attached". Appearing as though she were peacefully asleep except that her body, like Tim's, had been mostly eaten by the bear over the course of two days. Later, as the helicopter was being loaded, a second smaller bear, approximately 3 years old seemed to be stalking the rangers and it was shot and killed as well. Ranger Ellis states that he "saw a bear about 30 feet away". Ranger Gilliland fires a warning shot into the air, however the bear did not react. "This bear was intermittently visible as it moved through the brush and tall grass. As the bear continued to move towards the group, ranger Ellis fires a shotgun while trooper Hill and ranger Gilliland also begin firing at the bear. Ranger Gilliland moved in and fired a final shot" killing the bear, states Ellis. The coastal version ...
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