Episode 06: The Science of Survival

When it comes to grizzlies, science tells one story. Politics tells another.

The Science of Survival is the sixth chapter of The Choice — a wildlife documentary series unraveling the truth behind Yellowstone’s grizzly future. In this episode, we turn to the experts who’ve dedicated their lives to grizzly recovery. Scientists like Dr. Chris Servheen — the architect of the original recovery plan — remind us how far we’ve come, and how fragile that progress still is.

But as state agencies and politicians push to remove protections, the voices of science are being drowned out. What happens when decades of conservation are overshadowed by agendas? This isn’t just a battle over bears — it’s a test of whether science still matters in how we manage the wild.

🎥 What You’ll See

• Archival insights from grizzly recovery’s early days and the landmark Endangered Species Act

• Interviews with leading scientists, including Dr. Chris Servheen, on recovery progress and risks ahead

• Stark comparisons between data-driven conservation and politically driven delisting campaigns

• Motion graphics showing grizzly population trends vs. the realities of habitat loss and human conflict

• Juxtaposition of bears thriving under science-based protections and the risks of a political rollback

📖 Episode Themes

• The Endangered Species Act as both lifeline and political target

• Why science-based management is essential — and what happens when it’s ignored

• Grizzly recovery as one of America’s greatest conservation success stories — and why it’s not finished

• The clash between biologists in the field and politicians in the capital

💬 Featured Quote

“Make no mistake: the future of grizzlies is at risk. And their biggest threat isn’t the bears — it’s the politicians.” — Dr. Chris Servheen

🧭 Take Action

This episode reminds us that recovery is a process, not a finish line.
Stand with science. Stand with grizzlies. Demand that decisions about wildlife protection remain rooted in facts, not politics.

👉 Learn how you can help → The Wildline