The Last Standing Bear: a documentary film on the life and work of Charles Jonkel
type: CreativeWork
description: The Last Standing Bear: The life and work of Charles Jonkel is a documentary film about Dr. Charles Jonkel, a pioneer of polar bear biology, and his contributions to science, conservation and community. Jonkel was among the first scientists to capture and handle black bears and polar bears, was instrumental in developing international conservation and management strategies for polar bears, and has influenced generations of biologists, conservationists, activists, and students through his scientific research, teaching, advocacy, and character. The Last Standing Bear attempts to interpret Jonkelâ€™s contribution to science, conservation, and community. Using direct cinema, the film examines Jonkelâ€™s life and work through his own words, interviews with colleagues, students, friends, and family, and archival 16mm and Superâ€8 film footage of Jonkelâ€™s polar bear research with the Canadian Wildlife Service. While Jonkelâ€™s accomplishments are wide and varied, the film presents his life and work in relation to his affinity with the polar bear. This thesis presents the script, an analysis of the film and its process, and the opening and closing scenes of the film.
abstract: The Last Standing Bear: The life and work of Charles Jonkel is a documentary film about Dr. Charles Jonkel, a pioneer of polar bear biology, and his contributions to science, conservation and community. Jonkel was among the first scientists to capture and handle black bears and polar bears, was instrumental in developing international conservation and management strategies for polar bears, and has influenced generations of biologists, conservationists, activists, and students through his scientific research, teaching, advocacy, and character. The Last Standing Bear attempts to interpret Jonkelâ€™s contribution to science, conservation, and community. Using direct cinema, the film examines Jonkelâ€™s life and work through his own words, interviews with colleagues, students, friends, and family, and archival 16mm and Superâ€8 film footage of Jonkelâ€™s polar bear research with the Canadian Wildlife Service. While Jonkelâ€™s accomplishments are wide and varied, the film presents his life and work in relation to his affinity with the polar bear. This thesis presents the script, an analysis of the film and its process, and the opening and closing scenes of the film.
author: Donahue, Shannon Kelly
keywords: bear, bear biology, black bear, Charles Jonkel, documentary, film, grizzly bear, history of bear biology, history of wildife biology, polar bear, wildlife biology
date published: 2010-01-01T08:00:00Z
date modified: 2026-07-24T03:11:58Z
provider: University of Montana
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Montana