About this site: This site features information and many photographs. When you research information regarding bears be sure to check the "other sites" area. 



Specializing in “Bears”: 
Mike McIntosh's heart is with the outdoors and nature, respecting and enjoying wildlife in a non-consumptive way. Mike is sales manager in an auto dealership, helping to afford the work with bears.

Bear With Us was conceived in 1992. Educating people about bears and their behavior, promoting co-existence between people and bears reduces conflicts. Mike offers slide presentations and lectures to interest groups such as nature clubs, schools, scouts, guides etc. Bear With Us offers a problem (nuisance) bear relocation service, provides rehabilitation for orphan cubs and injured bears, and offers permanent sanctuary for some non-releasable adults. 

The MISSION STATEMENT for Bear With Us clearly states the purpose.

BEAR WITH US MISSION - To promote the understanding and respect for the bear family, a species near the top of the evolutionary scale, a species in direct niche competition with the human race. 

Mike attended the International Conference on Bear-Human Conflicts in Canmore, Alberta in April 1997. He was able to spend three twelve hour days with 150 of the world’s top Bear Scientists, Conservation Officers, Wardens and Wildlife Managers. Even though the threats to bears caused by human activities are severe, solutions are possible. 

Bear With Us has rehabilitated and released over 100 to wild freedom. A total of 104 (perceived nuisances) have been translocated to date (August 2000) since the beginning of Bear With Us in 1992. During 1999, Mike handled 121 bear calls and translocated 11 bears. 

Dealing with adult bears that are victims of gunshot wounds, hunting arrow injuries, broken legs, concussions, orphan cubs and the translocation of problem bears has allowed Mike to observe the many varied reactions to human interference by the bears. What Mike finds incredible is the ability for restraint exhibited by bears.

Through getting to know and trust a few of the permanent captives, Mike has learned important behavioral traits, social interaction and interesting information about a bears physiological requirements. Mike's extensive observations of wild bears and their interactions with each other has allowed him to correlate the differences and similarities between behaviors of captive bears vs. wild bears. 

Mike has been fortunate to speak at length with internationally recognized bear scientists and experts such as Dr. Lynn Rogers, Charlie Russell, Maureen Enns. Ontario MNR bear scientist Dr. Martyn Obbard and biologists not only but including Jan McDonnell (Bracebridge Ontario) have offered a great deal of input. Their cooperation is appreciated.

Bear With Us received international attention with the arrival of Molly an abused circus bear from Ireland (1994). Soon to follow was another from England spear headed by the World Society for the Protection Of Animals ( WSPA ). TV coverage of the work of Bear With Us has been featured across Canada, the US, the UK and Australia. 

Bear With Us Inc. is a member of the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, a member of the International Association for Bear Research and Management ( IBA ) as well as the Ontario Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Network (OWREN).

Bear With Us Inc. is a registered Canadian Charity #898978416RR0001.

Bear WithUs Inc. is “Licenced for all areas of operation”. 
Mike McIntosh is the president of Bear With Us Inc.