In the Company of Bears: What Black Bears Have Taught Me about Intelligence and Intuition

Across the pages of In the Company of Bears, Ben Kilham shares his decades of studying wild black bears in Northern New Hampshire. He raises orphaned cubs and reintroduces them to the wild, gaining unique access to their lives. Kilham’s observations challenge the belief that black bears are solitary, revealing complex social behaviors, including friendships, alliances, and cooperation. He suggests these behaviors may reflect early forms of human communication. Kilham’s dyslexia, which initially hindered his academic career, turned out to enhance his observational skills, making him a unique interpreter of bear behavior. His work advocates for diverse approaches in science and education.