Student Speaker Series Media: Casey Anderson
Casey Anderson is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker, adventurer and National Geographic Explorer. He has spent the last three decades traveling the world, capturing nature and wildlife through his camera lens.
Born and raised in Montana, Anderson spent his childhood exploring the vast wilderness of his backyard. By age 18, he was guiding wildlife filmmakers into remote locations to track and film some of the world’s most elusive animals.
At 26, Anderson adopted an orphaned grizzly bear, which led him to co-found Montana Grizzly Encounter, a sanctuary for bears rescued from inhumane situations.
As a television personality, Anderson has appeared on Nat Geo WILD, BBC, PBS, Travel Channel and Discovery Channel. He has also been a regular contributor to Conan and Oprah.
Click here to download Casey's full educator resources packet.
Visit Casey's website to learn more about him and his amazing work.
Learn even more about Casey at Changemaker Talent.
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Background Information
These links have been compiled as a companion to the Vital Impacts Student Speaker Series Educator Resources here. Click here to download the full educator resources packet.
Articles
The Wild Revelations from a Forgotten Camera Trap
A profile of Anderson's decade-long camera-trap project in a Greater Yellowstone cave. The footage reveals repeated use by grizzly bears, black bears, mountain lions, coyotes, marmots, and other animals, while raising questions about sampling, animal individuality, noninvasive observation, and decisions about human intervention.
O'Reilly, Katie. “The Wild Revelations from a Forgotten Camera Trap.” Mountain Journal, 21 Jan. 2026, https://mountainjournal.org/the-wild-revelations-from-a-forgotten-camera-trap-in-greater-yellowstone/
Casey Anderson (naturalist), Wikipedia
General biographical reference covering Anderson's early life, career timeline across Expedition Wild, America the Wild, and VisionHawk Films, his marriage and family, and his acting work with Brutus.
"Casey Anderson (naturalist)." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casey_Anderson_(naturalist)
Amazing Animal Friendships, The Oprah Winfrey Show
A short feature on Casey and Brutus's bond, including a direct quote from Anderson about the moment he realized Brutus could express the same emotions people do.
"Amazing Animal Friendships." The Oprah Winfrey Show, Harpo Productions.
https://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/animal-friendships
A Filmmaker Left a Camera in a Grizzly Bear Cave for 10 Years, KTLA
A news segment on Anderson's decade-long camera-trap project, covering how he recovered the still-functioning camera and the range of wildlife it recorded, useful as a companion piece to the Mountain Journal article already in this section.
https://ktla.com/news/a-filmmaker-left-a-camera-in-a-grizzly-bear-cave-for-10-years-heres-what-it-captured/
Film and Video
Face to Face With Painted Wolves in the African Wilderness
Casey and a small crew navigate the Okavango Delta entirely on foot, carrying all necessary supplies for a seven-night journey. Guided by Kane Matuana's ancestral knowledge, they confront the unpredictability of wildlife and the challenges of the harsh environment, aiming for unparalleled encounters in the deep bush.
“Face to Face With Painted Wolves in the African Wilderness.” YouTube, uploaded by Endless Venture, 21 Feb.2026.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP5d8bOSRGU
Close Encounter With an African Lion Pride on Foot!
Casey and a small crew trek across the Okavango Delta, facing intense heat, heavy packs, and dangerous wildlife. The journey involves tracking cape buffalo and navigating a thunderstorm before encountering a pride of lions on foot.
“Close Encounter With an African Lion Pride on Foot!” YouTube, uploaded by Endless Venture, 7 May. 2026.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTzVlCZUBlE
Face to Face With 40 Grizzly Bears!
Casey travels into the Yellowstone backcountry to observe grizzlies as they gather in high alpine areas to forage for army cutworm moths. Anderson navigates challenging terrain and extreme weather to witness these iconic predators in their
natural habitat.
“Face to Face With 40 Grizzly Bears!” YouTube, uploaded by
Endless Venture, 16 May. 2026
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vmKVVWWPuU
The Most Dangerous Grizzly Bear Encounter!
Casey ventures into the Yellowstone forest to locate a grizzly bear that killed an elk. By setting up camera traps near the carcass, the team documents the bear's behavior as it prepares for hibernation, offering a rare glimpse into its secretive life.
“The Most Dangerous Grizzly Bear Encounter!” YouTube,
uploaded by Endless Venture, 18 Oct. 2025.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRFjvaPf8V8
GoPro: Man and Grizzly Bear - Rewriting History
More than a decade ago, Casey Anderson rescued a grizzly bear named Brutus and founded the Montana Grizzly Encounter in order to provide a natural home for other rescued grizzlies.
“GoPro: Man and Grizzly Bear - Rewriting History” YouTube, uploaded by GoPro, 20 May. 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BA17_TvO6vM
Face to Face With a Pack of Wolves at Their Den
Casey and the Endless Venture team document a rare encounter with a lactating wolf, leading them on an investigative journey to locate the pack's den. The team carefully observes the growth and survival challenges of these wolves within their complex, human-influenced environment.
“Face to Face With a Pack of Wolves at Their Den.” YouTube, uploaded by Endless Venture, 22 Aug. 2026.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BwcMeSdcx4
Tracking one of the Rarest Bears on Earth
Casey and Brad Josephs travel to Dras, India, to study the rare Himalayan brown bear. Alongside local photographer Karamjeet Singh, they investigate the growing human-wildlife conflict in one of the world's coldest inhabited regions while searching for the bears during the early spring thaw.
“Tracking one of the Rarest Bears on Earth.” YouTube, uploaded by Endless Venture, 8 Aug. 2026.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TMcu5QFkjY
Surrounded by a Wolf Pack in Yellowstone
Casey documents a chaotic day in Yellowstone featuring a wolf pack, black bears, and ravens. While searching
for grizzly bears with limited gear, a series of surprising wildlife encounters and clues lead to unexpected
discoveries about the local wolf population.
“Surrounded by a Wolf Pack in Yellowstone.” YouTube, uploaded by Endless Venture, 2026
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVPda8bRup8
Inside the Wolf Pack
A full episode of America the Wild examining wolf hunting and pack behavior, useful for evaluating evidence about group behavior and survival.
“Inside the Wolf Pack.” America the Wild, YouTube, uploaded by Nat Geo Animals, 2026,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h1IPffCkbY
Websites
Casey Anderson
Explore Casey’s professional website to see examples of his work
https://www.caseyanderson.tv/
VisionHawk Films
Anderson's wildlife-film production company, including the Endless Venture team.
https://www.visionhawkfilms.com/
Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Authoritative background on grizzly bear biology, distribution, and Endangered Species Act status, including listing history, recovery partnerships, and links to bear-safety resources.
"Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis)." U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
https://www.fws.gov/species/grizzly-bear-ursus-arctos-horribilis
Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC)
Background on grizzly bear recovery zones, population science, bear safety, and free classroom-ready bear education materials.
“Education Materials.” Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, 2026.
https://igbconline.org/programs/bear-education/educators/
Bears, Yellowstone National Park, National Park Service
Park-specific background on Yellowstone's grizzly and black bear populations, including physical and behavioral differences between the two species and how those differences shape bear safety guidance.
“Bears.” Yellowstone National Park, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/bear.htm
Cougar (Puma concolor), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Background on mountain lion identification, range, and status, drawn from FWS species profiles used across national parks and refuges.
"Cougar (Puma concolor)." U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.https://www.fws.gov/species/cougar-puma-concolor
Mountain Lion Foundation
Science-based background on mountain lion biology, behavior, habitat, and coexistence strategies.
https://mountainlion.org/learn/
Lion, World Wildlife Fund
Background on African and Asiatic lion biology, social structure, and ecological role as an apex predator, along with the threats driving population decline and WWF's work on human-lion conflict reduction and habitat connectivity.
"Lion." World Wildlife Fund. https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/lion/
Tiger, World Wildlife Fund
Background on tiger biology, subspecies, habitat, and the threats driving population decline, along with WWF's ongoing conservation and anti-trafficking work.
"Tiger." World Wildlife Fund. https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/tiger
WWF: Coexisting with Tigers
Extensive background on human-tiger conflict drivers and practical tools for managing human-tiger interactions as tiger populations recover.
“Coexisting with Tigers: Tools and Approaches for Managing Human-Tiger Interactions.” World Wildlife Fund,2025.
https://www.worldwildlife.org/publications/coexistence-with-tigers-tools-and-approaches-to-managing-human-wildlife-interactions/
Tiger (Panthera tigris), IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Global conservation assessment of the tiger, listed as Endangered, including population estimates, range decline, and country-by-country trends.
Goodrich, J., Wibisono, H., Miquelle, D., Lynam, A.J., Sanderson, E., Chapman, S., Gray, T.N.E., Chanchani, P. & Harihar, A. "Panthera tigris." The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, International Union for Conservation of Nature.
https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/15955/214862019
Grade 5 Activities
Bear Behavior and Backcountry Myths
Students work in pairs to sort teacher-selected claims about bear behavior and safety, verify each claim against the IGBC activity booklet and encounter guidance, and revise statements that are overly broad. Each student then explains how one misconception could increase risk and how a science-based community practice could reduce that risk.
Teacher Preparation: Before class, select 6–10 claims about bear behavior and safety from the IGBC educator materials. Place the claims on cards, slides, or a student worksheet. Students will evaluate each claim using the cited IGBC sources, revise inaccurate or overly broad statements, and explain their conclusions with evidence.
Sources:
1. https://igbconline.org/programs/bear-education/educators/
2. https://igbconline.org/be-bear-aware/encounter/
Note: This is an original educator-guide activity based on IGBC resources; IGBC does not publish this exact myth-sort format as a complete lesson plan.
Fat Bear Week: Feeding Ecology and Hibernation
Students use National Park Service Fat Bear Week resources, bear-cam observations, and bear biographies to examine feeding behavior and seasonal body-fat gain. A modeling option connects salmon, bears, decomposers, trees, matter, and energy in the Katmai ecosystem.
Teacher Preparation: Choose which lesson option students will complete. For Options 1 and 2, preselect classroom-appropriate bear-cam footage and two bears for students to compare, then provide the relevant NPS biographies, photographs, observations, or bracket information. For Option 3, provide the NPS Trees and Salmon resources and decide whether students will create their models on paper, digitally, or with physical
materials. Identify the required model components in advance, including producers, consumers, decomposers, matter, and energy.
Sources:
1. NPS Katmai National Park, Fat Bear Week in the Classroom
https://www.nps.gov/katm/learn/education/fat-bear-week-in-the-classroom.htm
2. Explore.org Livecams https://explore.org/livecams/brown-bears/brown-bear-salmon-cam-brooks-falls
3. Katmai Conservancy, About Fat Bear Week https://katmaiconservancy.org/fatbearweek
Note: These lesson options are educator-guide adaptations assembled from National Park Service and Katmai Conservancy resources; they are not presented as a single complete lesson by either organization. Fat Bear Week itself runs in early October; the bear cam and prior years' brackets are usable year-round for this activity