Grizzly challenge: TV show ´pits man vs bear´

LOS ANGELES: Grizzly bears and humans will compete in tests of "strength, speed and stamina" on a new television show, the Discovery Channel announced Thursday.

Human contestants will attempt "challenges inspired by what bears do naturally in the wild," including rolling giant logs, and a "monumental game of tug of war," the channel said.

A short video clip uploaded by Discovery on Twitter showed a man hurdling a pile of logs while a grizzly appears to chase him in the background.

The new series comes two years after a Discovery Channel special saw Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps "race" against a great white shark.

On that occasion, some viewers were left underwhelmed when the program featured Phelps swimming solo, shown alongside a computer-generated image of a shark.

Program-makers did not provide further details on whether the competitors on "Man vs Bear" would come face-to-face on the show.

Staged fights between bears and humans, including wrestling and boxing, were popular in Victorian times but largely disappeared in the 20th century over concerns about animal cruelty.

But program-makers said the animals on "Man vs Bear" are never forced to compete, and are "rewarded handsomely with their favorite treats before, during and after every event."

The competitions are "designed around the exercise routines they regularly follow -- a combination of encouraging natural Grizzly instincts and actions," it said.

The program is filmed at the bears´ Utah wildlife sanctuary, in the presence of animal welfare consultants.

According to its website, the center has provided animal stars for television shows and movies including "Game of Thrones" and "Dr Dolittle 2."

Two of the bears featured on the show were rescued by a park ranger after being orphaned by an Alaskan poacher, while the third was born into captivity.

The show premieres on December 4.