Jean M. Simpson(1951-2024)

He drew a picture of himself walking in a park in France with animals following him at age five. His mother said they always did that. Studying to be a vet in Paris, he realized that he wanted a deeper relationship with animals than that would allow. He moved to Canon City, Colorado in 1970 near Vernal, Utah. Simpson taught himself how to train timber wolves through living with and understanding them when he met Wasatch Rocky Mountain Wildlife founder Doug Seus three years later. This business friendship led to a career training wild animals for cinematic films, where he developed techniques based on reward and an amazing grasp of each species and each individual of that species. He has trained and consulted on feature films, documentaries, commercials and still shoots, and worked with many of the most famous wildlife artists and photographers in the country. He is known in the industry for his humane training methods, his safety record, the beautiful condition of his animals, and his ability to get outstanding performances from them. Jean brings his talents in understanding and handling wild animals to Earthfire, as well as serving as consultant on animal welfare, safety and animal home design. To see how he works with Humble Bumble, the learning-disabled grizzly bear, or Mr. Pinkerton the blind Canadian lynx, is an enlightenment. The knowledge and thought he gives to designing homes and playgrounds for the animals gives us delightful insight into their emotional and physical needs and pleasures.