'National Geographic Live' series debuts with Rae Wynn-Grant and 'The Secret Life of Bears'

The “National Geographic Live” speaker series kicks off at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant's “The Secret Life of Bears.” Organizers said, “Through dynamic photographs and video via state-of-the-art projection, the audience will be immersed in the breathtaking science behind nature, in the Mary Seaton Room at Kleinhans Music Hall.”

Wynn-Grant is dedicated to wildlife ecology research, but it wasn’t until life brought her to Kenya at age 20 that she had ever taken a hike, pitched a tent to camp, or seen a wild animal. While there, she studied East African lions – top carnivores that live in close quarters with local communities – and observed that problematic interactions between the two groups threatened conservation efforts. Now, Wynn-Grant is finding similar patterns for North American black and grizzly bears.

As a scientist with the National Geographic Society’s “Last Wild Places” Initiative, Wynn-Grant works to protect and restore iconic wildlife populations: grizzly bears, bison, pronghorn, cougars and more. But there’s an obstacle: roads, fences and cattle ranches crisscross the habitat of these wide-ranging animals. Wynn-Grant studies the movements and behaviors of the bears in an effort to find ways to improve the relationship between local communities and the powerful wildlife that surround them.

Joe Priselac, CEO of P&A Group, said, “We are proud to help bring the ‘National Geographic Live’ series to Buffalo. This informative and entertaining series helps inform people in a very approachable format.”

Hadley Exhibits CEO Ted Johnson said, “The presentations we get through this series are spectacular and gives us first-hand insights about the wild world of animal and nature around us.”

The “National Geographic Live” series continues with two more events this spring, featuring the "female Indiana Jones," Mireya Mayor, on March 22; and wildlife photographer Vincent J. Musi on May 3.

Single event tickets are $35. Student tickets are $15. All tickets are subject to a $2 Kleinhans facilities fee and additional handling changes. For tickets, call the Kleinhans box office at 716-885-5000 or visit www.kleinhansbuffalo.org.

Kleinhans Music Hall was built in 1940 thanks to the generosity and vision of Edward and Mary Seaton Kleinhans, who made their fortune from the clothing store that bore their name, and the stewardship of their charitable dreams by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. The hall was designed by the Finnish father-and-son team of Eliel and Eero Saarinen, along with architects F.J. and W.A Kidd. Kleinhans is known for its combination of graceful structural beauty and extraordinary acoustics. In 1989, the hall was designated a National Historic Landmark, the highest designation of significance a site or structure can receive. Today, the hall plays hosts to performances by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and Buffalo Chamber Music Society, the Just Buffalo Literary Center’s Babel series, and touring acts such as Fiona Apple, Cowboy Junkies and Bill Burr. For more information, visit www.kleinhansbuffalo.org.