Blog Archives
Episode 25 – Relentless Snares: A chat with Sumatran Sun Bear Team (SSBT) Founder & zookeeper Lesley Small
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
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
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)
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Episode 15 – Founder Tales: Pieces of the Sanctuary ft. Klari Lea (Part 4)
Episode 15 – Founder Tales: Pieces of the Sanctuary ft. Klari Lea (Part 4)
In the second part of Philip’s chat with Klari we learn more about the bears, the people and when people work together we can make a difference (and her rock collection!).
The Founder Tales series documents the history of the… Read more
Episode 14 – Founder Tales: Seeds of Hope ft. Klari Lea (Part 3)
Episode 14 – Founder Tales: Seeds of Hope ft. Klari Lea (Part 3)
Co-Founder Klari Lea joins Philip to talk about her passion for animal advocacy since childhood, meeting her husband, fellow co-founder, Bill Lea, and their arrival at the sanctuary. Klari talks about the early days of the wildlife sanctuary, and how the core… Read more
Episode 13 – Never Cry Wolf: A Chat with Voyageurs Wolf Project Team Lead Tom Gable
Episode 13 – Never Cry Wolf: A Chat with Voyageurs Wolf Project Team Lead Tom Gable
Philip chats to Tom Gable, Project Team Lead for the Voyageurs Wolf Project. With over a decades worth of experience working in Voyageurs National Park, Tom has a wealth of knowledge on wolf research and conservation. They talk about… Read more
Episode 12 – Snapshot: Interview w/ Naturalist, Wildlife Photographer & Author Stan Tekiela
Episode 12 – Snapshot: Interview w/ Naturalist, Wildlife Photographer & Author Stan Tekiela
Philip is joined by Stan Tekiela, who discusses his 40+ year career working in the wildlife field. For over 20 years, Stan has visited the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary and led countless photo workshops in that time. Together Philip and Stan cover… Read more
Episode 11 – Founder Tales: Taking over from Vince ft. Karen Hauserman (Part 2)
Episode 11 – Founder Tales: Taking over from Vince (Part 2)
ABA Co-Founder Karen Hauserman continues her story detailing Vince’s declining health and her first meeting with Bill and Klari Lea, and how the three of them went on to form the ABA. Karen also reflects on bears she met over the years, her… Read more
Episode 10 – Founder Tales: Meeting Vince ft. Karen Hauserman (Part 1)
Episode 10 – Founder Tales: Meeting Vince (Part 1)
Philip is joined by ABA Co-Founder Karen Hauserman in the first of a two-parter! They chat about how the property was in the “before times”, before the sanctuary was founded. Karen details how she came to the Northwoods and her first meeting with Vince in… Read more
Episode 9 – Out On A Limb
Episode 9 – Out on a Limb
In 2016, Philip pulled a book off the shelf entitled “Out on a Limb” by Benjamin Kilham. Benjamin Kilham has rehabilitated hundreds of black bears cubs in New Hampshire. Walking with them in the forest has helped him detail bear communications, vocalisations, body language and other behaviours,… Read more
Episode 8 – Myths & Misconceptions
Episode 8 – Myths & Misconceptions
There are many myths and misconceptions about the North American black bear. Join Philip as he reviews the myths and counter these with the facts. This episode dives into folklore, misunderstood behavior, and scientific truths, all in an effort to separate fact from fiction including topics on… Read more
Episode 7 – ABA President Interview w/Steph Horner
Episode 7 – ABA President Interview w/Steph Horner
During a visit to the sanctuary in summer 2024 Philip sat down for a chat with ABA President, Steph Horner. We discussed how she gained her love of animals, the challenges of running a non-profit, bears she has connected with over the years and some of… Read more
Episode 6 – Bear Necessities ft. Bill Lea
Episode 6 – Bear Necessities
Ever wondered what its like to volunteer at the sanctuary? Join Philip as he takes us through what has changed at the sanctuary over the last ten years and why volunteering at the sanctuary is an experience unlike many others. Listeners will enjoy insights on volunteering and learn… Read more
Episode 5 – Bear Safety ft. Amber Kornak
Episode 5 – Bear Safety
What are you supposed to do when you’re hiking out in bear country? Philip draws upon his own experiences hiking in Canada, before we welcome wildlife biologist, Amber Kornak, into the Bear Den. Having volunteered at the sanctuary many years ago, Amber has gone on to work in the… Read more
Episode 4 – Radio Collared Bears
Episode 4 – Radio Collared bears
There have been several bears with radio collars that have passed through the sanctuary over the years. In 2016 the ABA, in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) began its own radio collar programme and 5 bears in total were radio collared over a multi-year period,… Read more
Episode 3 – Humans and Bears
Episode 3 – Humans and Bears
Before Vince Shute passed away, the American Bear Association was formed in 1995. Its three founders were Karen Hauserman, Bill Lea and Klari Lea. It wasn’t an easy start for them and they had to establish rules at the sanctuary and wrestle with the question of feeding bears…. Read more
Episode 2 – The Bear Man
Episode 2 – The Bear Man
Who was Vince Shute, the man who started it all? We journey back over 100 years to learn about his humble beginnings, from having to leave school at a young age to support his family, and giving up his dreams of becoming a prize fighter, to owning a… Read more
Episode 1 – Bear With Me
Episode 1 – Bear With Me
I’m Philip Stubley and join me as I introduce myself and the world of the American Bear Association. Over the course of the series, we’ll discuss the origins of the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary, why we do what we do and learn all about North American black bears…. Read more
