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Filmmaker Documenting Kermode Bears Missing in the Woods of British Columbia

Authorities Search for Missing Ohio Filmmaker in British Columbia Woods

Warren "Andrew" Sill (Photo via Tumblr)

Warren “Andrew” Sill, a 26-year-old documentary filmmaker from Ohio, was on the lookout for bears in British Columbia in early July as part of his latest project. Now, authorities are searching the woods for him as his car hasn’t moved nor has he been heard from since July 6.

Sill was filming a documentary on kermode bears, a group of white-coated black bears that inhabit the area. Police in New Hazelton, British Columbia, say Sill’s vehicle remains parked at the entrance of the Whiskey Creek Trail near Gull Creek. Royal Canadian Mounted Police Const. Lesley Smith said Monday that authorities are concerned because Sill is not an avid hiker.

Police say Sill told family and friends he would be exploring the area for four or five days, but that his parents say they haven’t spoken to him since July 4.

“The concern is that this young man was out there and not equipped for the terrain,” Smith said according to Canada’s Metro News. “It could be a case of him not being able to get his bearing right. In that case, being dehydrated will affect his wellbeing. He’d be disoriented if he hasn’t kept up with fluids and nutrients.”

Authorities Search for Missing Ohio Filmmaker in British Columbia Woods

Search teams devise a plan to cover ground in the hunt for Sill in British Columbia. (Photo: The Canadian Press/Robin Rowland via Metro News)

Still, it wouldn’t be unheard of for Sill to be found alive. Only a couple days ago, an autistic man was found – although severely malnourished — after being lost in the Utah desert for three weeks.

Authorities Search for Missing Ohio Filmmaker in British Columbia Woods

(Image via Tumblr)

The National Post has more from Sill’s sister and the last communications that were heard from the filmmaker:

“He’s just a really curious, inquisitive person — especially when it comes to nature,” said his sister, Maureen Sill, who last saw Mr. Sill in June when he came to Chicago for a five day visit.

While there, Mr. Sill dropped by the Lincoln Park Zoo to get his first close-up black bear shots. “First of many black bear photos. Baby steps,” he wrote on a Facebook account created to document the trip. Mr. Sill’s ultimate target, the spirit bear, or Kermode bear, is a rare subspecies of black bear with an all-white coat that is found primarily in the B.C. coastal regions.

After Chicago, Mr. Sill’s next stop was the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary. Located outside Orr, Minnesota — just 30 kilometers from the Ontario border — the sanctuary is the site of the United States’ only spirit bear sighting. A photo posted on June 19 depicts a full-sized black bear photographed from above.

“600 lb male black bear sending me up a tree haha,” reads the caption.

“He had a laptop, camera equipment, everything … he just wanted to get out into the woods and do something special,” said Peter Lamusga, who hosted Mr. Sill for four days in Orr. The two had met on Couchsurfing.org, a social networking site that connects travellers with local hosts. “He’s a real nice kid.”

Authorities Search for Missing Ohio Filmmaker in British Columbia Woods

Photo of a bear taken by Sill (Image via Facebook)

According to Metro News, search dogs and volunteers are scouring the woods for Sill. Smith said the search will continue until the teams feel they’ve covered all their options.

Maureen set up a Tumblr site to help spread the word on the Web about the search for her brother.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

(H/T: Daily Mail)

Comments (22)

  • Larry E
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 2:43pm

    Taking pictures of bears in a zoo, then going out into the coastal forests of British Columbia to take pictures of bears in their natural habitat are two completely different things. Maybe I just don’t understand, but I try to not go looking for critters that can either turn me into lunch of toe jam unless I’m armed with something more than a camera. That includes bears, lions, wolves, bison, and moose in this country.

    Report Post »  
  • HorseCrazy
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 12:02pm

    those spirit bears are by far worth the trip time and money to catch a glimpse of. liberals please don’t make the trip and those unexperienced stay out of the woods please but for the other experienced back country folks, they are breathtaking and worth the adventure to see them. here is a great place for guided tours..you know the kind of gift you buy for your folks. http://www.spiritbear.com/

    Report Post »  
  • bjornskis
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:31am

    cant say this enough times DON’T FEED THE BEARS

    Report Post »  
    • oldduffer
      Posted on July 17, 2012 at 1:13pm

      Worked in W. Yellowstone in the 50‘s and 60’s and every year we would have people roll their windows down and feed the bears in the park. Every year an ambulance would come roaring in at least 2 or 3 times a week with someone, with a bear bite or clawing. Even people that knew better. Friend left her pickup window halfway down and was tossing food to the bear and ran out of food and forgot to roll her window back up and the bear reached in for more food and got her arm. Bad claw mauling but she didn’t lose the arm. Just can‘t tell people enough that they’re not cute, cudley little pets. Or “I know how to take care of myself” we heard constantly.

      Report Post »  
    • Larry E
      Posted on July 17, 2012 at 2:40pm

      Oldduffer, when I was a little kid in the 40‘s or very early 50’s my folks and brother and I were driving through Yellowstone and came upon the usual “bear sign” cars stopped on both sides of the road. Dad slowed way down and as we finally got to the bear it was standing belly to belly with some nincompoop standing on a rock holding a bag of cookies behind his back and dropping them into the bear’s mouth. Dad made a comment that’s unprintable, but hit the nail on the head as we drove away. Even at my age, maybe 8 or 9, I couldn’t believe anyone could be that stupid.

      Report Post »  
  • Constructionist
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:05am

    Warren “Sandwich” Sill…

    Report Post » Constructionist  
  • KickinBack
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 9:49am

    The wilderness can be beautiful but unforgiving. If he was not equipped like the article says, then he’s gambling with his own life. Cell phones and laptops won’t save you from nature.

    Report Post » KickinBack  
    • pap pap
      Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:11am

      Cell phones can help you protect yourself in the woods. You just call the bears ahead of time and tell them you mean them no harm. The bears will then invite you in for a sandwich which will be you.

      Report Post »  
  • 1HonestInjun
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 9:33am

    He is lost or he ran into a grizzly bear with cubs. Black bears aren’t that aggressive. I have
    photographed both in BC and Alaska. A mother black bear will charge with jaws chopping if she feels her cubs are threatened, but a little pepper spray will back her off. I carried a shotgun as a backup. There is always that possibility of a rogue bear so why chance it.

    Report Post »  
  • cemerius
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 9:33am

    Must NOT have been a boy scout…..“Always Prepared”!! Feel for this young man’s family but then again they are culpable to his demise too!! Going out in the woods with only a “plan to traipse in the woods” is NEVER a good plan let alone not using the buddy system. I could go on for a long time with this but it is another Darwin Award recipient………

    Report Post » cemerius  
    • herb2453
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 1:49pm

      Yes he was a boyscout. I am his father and to blame his parent is ridculous. He has had this passion for many years. He used two people or more several times. We can not be responsible for what a 26 year old decides, did you make all the right decisions at this age?

      You people with these stupid comments really upset me, you do not know him and how do you know he went up the trail for sure. What about foul play? Ever a thought, the mystery is the hard part, but I am tired of all these negative comments, this is difficult to deal with, and people like you make it more stressful on us and it is not needed.

      Report Post »  
  • 80mesh
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 9:32am

    If you go out in the woods today
    You’re sure of a big surprise.
    If you go out in the woods today
    You’d better go in disguise.

    For every bear that ever there was
    Will gather there for certain, because
    Today’s the day the teddy bears have their picnic.

    Picnic time for teddy bears,
    The little teddy bears are having a lovely time today.
    Watch them, catch them unawares,
    And see them picnic on their holiday.
    See them gaily dance about.
    They love to play and shout.
    And never have any cares.
    At six o’clock their mommies and daddies
    Will take them home to bed
    Because they’re tired little teddy bears.

    If you go out in the woods today,
    You’d better not go alone.
    It’s lovely out in the woods today,
    But safer to stay at home.

    For every bear that ever there was
    Will gather there for certain, because
    Today’s the day the teddy bears have their picnic

    CHORUS

    Every teddy bear, that’s been good
    Is sure of a treat today
    There’s lots of wonderful things to eat
    And wonderful games to play

    Beneath the trees, where nobody sees
    They’ll hide and seek as long as they please
    Today’s the day the teddy bears have their picnic

    Report Post » 80mesh  
    • herb2453
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 1:52pm

      You are king of the ********. Warren was very smart and pursued his passion, yes he made a mistake, but all you negative people are not perfect either!

      Until you talked to some of his friends please shut up.

      Report Post »  
  • eternal_vigilance
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 8:42am

    He probably found out bears are indeed wild and unpredictable creatures and not nearly as warm and fuzzy as they appear.

    Report Post » eternal_vigilance  
    • johnjamison
      Posted on July 17, 2012 at 9:01am

      Didn’t that dumba55 see the movie Grissly man? Bear’s not only crap in the woods,they also kill in the woods as well.

      Report Post »  
    • historyguy48
      Posted on July 17, 2012 at 9:21am

      Yummie, yummie, yummie I have a filmaker in my tummy!

      Report Post » historyguy48  
  • Mapache
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 8:36am

    Look for some bear poop that smells like pepper spray and has little bells in it.

    Report Post » Mapache  
  • SamIamTwo
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 8:33am

    Maybe he will take a compass with him, eh? Oh well so BC will pick up the tab for his inability to wonder around the the country.

    Go to survival school before you take up a risky endeavor like this…

    Report Post » SamIamTwo  
    • herb2453
      Posted on August 31, 2012 at 1:55pm

      He did go to survival skill, and he did not ask for help. We are raising all the money we can to pay for this by the way. We will not be able to repay them, however his family has never collected welfare or unemployment and I have been out of work for years once.

      Compasses do not always work out in unforgiving area, he had 3 so believe the media they are accurate about 25% of the time. Stop the negatvity please and say nothing if it is not respectful.

      Report Post »  

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