Driven by a sense of smell 2,000 times more effective than a human’s, this American Black Bear scales tree tops in search of wild grapes. In his quest, the 400-pound wanderer unintentionally acts as a mobile greenhouse, spreading seeds far across the landscape. This iconic keystone species nearly vanished when the park was founded in 1935, but federal protection has allowed hundreds to thrive here today. As the frost sets in, the bears enter a winter sleep called torpor. Unlike true hibernation, they can be easily awakened. But their heart rate and body temperature drop significantly, allowing them to survive for months on body fat alone. Meanwhile, the seeds they’ve left behind wait in the ground—ready to rise again in the spring. Shenandoah is produced by Orange Frame Productions, presented and co-produced by VPM, with the cooperation of Shenandoah National Park. The documentary is available for streaming on the PBS app and on VPM's Youtube channel. #shenandoah #virginia #nature #b...