Dispatch #3: Grizzly Bears on the move — Texada Island | SGT. DEAN MILLER
Welcome to GrizzCast Dispatches — short-format, real-time episodes on urgent grizzly bear conservation stories.
In our first Dispatch series, host Nicholas Scapillati investigates the remarkable journey of Tex — a young male grizzly bear who swam across the Salish Sea and arrived on Texada Island. His presence has sparked debate, concern, and Indigenous-led calls for a new model of coexistence.
In this episode, we are joined by BC Conservation Officer Sergeant Dean Miller to talk about grizzly bears returning to parts of Southwest BC, including the Sunshine Coast, and what this means for communities and conservation. We dive into on-the-ground details of Tex’s story, offering insight into the role of the Conservation Officer Service, how decisions like relocations are made, and the importance of public awareness, shared responsibilities, and partnerships — including with the shíshálh Nation — as people adapt to living with grizzlies returning to new and old ground.
Dispatch #2: Grizzly Bears on the move — Texada Island | Dr. Lana Ciarniello
Welcome to GrizzCast Dispatches — short-format, real-time episodes on urgent grizzly bear conservation stories.
In our first Dispatch series, host Nicholas Scapillati investigates the remarkable journey of Tex — a young male grizzly bear who swam across the Salish Sea and arrived on Texada Island. His presence has sparked debate, concern, and Indigenous-led calls for a new model of coexistence.
Dispatch #2 features renowned bear biologist, independent research scientist, and human-bear conflict expert Dr. Lana Ciarniello. Drawing on her deep knowledge of grizzly bear biology and behaviour, we explore why grizzlies are on the move, the difference between relocation and translocation, and practical advice for Texada Island residents on how to live safely with grizzly bears.
Dispatch #1: Grizzly Bears on the Move — Texada Island | Erik Blaney
GrizzCast is back — with a new season and a new sense of urgency 🐻🎧
Welcome to our first-ever GrizzCast Dispatch — short-format, real-time episodes on urgent grizzly bear conservation stories.
In our first Dispatch series, Nicholas Scapillati investigates the remarkable journey of Tex — a young male grizzly bear who swam across the Salish Sea and made it to Texada Island. His presence has sparked debate, concern, and Indigenous-led calls for a new model of coexistence.
We first speak with Tiy’ap thote – Erik Blaney of the Tla’amin Nation and the shishalh Nation’s resource stewardship team — who joins us to explore how Indigenous leadership is helping shape Tex’s future. From policy to culture, and traditional ecological knowledge to modern translocation planning, this is a story of hope, self-determination, and action.
EPISODE 5: Kinship
This is GrizzCast by the Grizzly Bear Foundation. As we continue to share these stories, please consider supporting our work with a financial gift by visiting our donation page today. Help safeguard the lands grizzly bears roam, the food they eat, and the wild we share.
Near Grizzly Bear Foundation headquarters on the Pacific coast of British Columbia, we connect with veterinarian, former Zoo Director, and scientist Ken Macquisten. Listen in for creative ideas to help build a healthy future alongside grizzlies and hear special stories about unique characteristics learned from the bears at Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge and Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife.
EPISODE 4: Common Ground
This is GrizzCast by the Grizzly Bear Foundation. As we continue to share these stories, please consider supporting our work with a financial gift by visiting our donation page today. Help safeguard the lands grizzly bears roam, the food they eat, and the wild we share.
Join us as we adventure into an ancient temperate old-growth forest with Julius Strauss, a former war correspondent, wilderness guide and activist. In a new world where grizzly bears are no longer hunted for their hide, paws, teeth or head, people from all walks of life find a common ground.
EPISODE 3: Mali’s Story
This is GrizzCast by the Grizzly Bear Foundation. As we continue to share these stories, please consider supporting our work with a financial gift by visiting our donation page today. Help safeguard the lands grizzly bears roam, the food they eat, and the wild we share.
This is a story about the life and death of a young grizzly bear in the Broughton Archipelago, British Columbia’s largest marine park. During one of the most impactful global events in recent history, a physically-distanced world saw a joint effort by First Nations, the Grizzly Bear Foundation and the provincial government to save a wayward male grizzly: Mali. Mike Willie of the Kwikwasutinuxw/Haxwa’mis First Nation and owner/lead guide of Sea Wolf Adventures considers how Indigenous governance can lead to more effective conservation and strengthen our connection to each other and to the natural world.
EPISODE 2: Legacy
This is GrizzCast by the Grizzly Bear Foundation. As we continue to share these stories, please consider supporting our work with a financial gift by visiting our donation page today. Help safeguard the lands grizzly bears roam, the food they eat, and the wild we share.
It’s time to travel to the northern boundary of the Arctic Circle to meet with bear specialist and wildlife photographer Phil Timpany. After years in the trophy hunting business, Phil has redefined his relationship with grizzly bears, honouring their forgiveness and dedicating his life to their well-being. Dubbed the “bear whisperer of North Yukon”, Phil shares how his work as a bear guide is connected to helping preserve an entire ecosystem - from the rivers and spawning salmon to Indigenous communities and beyond.
EPISODE 1: Healing Power of Grizzlies
In the first episode of GrizzCast, join the Grizzly Bear Foundation on a journey through some of the most famous grizzly country in the world with naturalist, author and Vietnam veteran Doug Peacock. Much as the flow of the current pulls a canoe down the river, we hear how the call of the wilderness pulled this icon of conservation toward the grizzly bear, restoring the soul of a war-ravaged soldier. Now a grandfather, Doug explores the future of the grizzly and the importance of the greater Yellowstone ecosystem for these soul-saving bears.
GrizzCast Trailer
GrizzCast is a journey of discovery of what connects us to the natural world through one of North America’s most iconic species — the grizzly bear. Podcast host and Executive Director of the Grizzly Bear Foundation, Nicholas Scapillati, explores how conservation brings us all together in a shared fight to protect wildlife and wild places through voices and stories of people working on the frontlines.
The podcast series features Indigenous leaders, war correspondents, hunters turned conservationists, National Geographic writers, fishers and foragers. Join us on an intrepid journey from the remote subarctic of the Northern Yukon, to the Pacific coast of British Columbia and into the world's first national park.