Wind River Baloo

This is a portrait of Baloo, one of the Karelian Bear Dogs I work with. These dogs are used by wildlife personnel to do something called Bear Shepherding; a unique, nonlethal means of wildlife management that teaches bears to stay away from human habitat like campgrounds, neighborhoods, etc. These dogs have also been used to find bear dens, to track poached animal remains, and have even been called in on cadaver searches. The other part of their job is playing the part of ambassador to the public during educational programs. 
To learn more about our Wildlife Shepherding Dogs, please visit:
www.beardogs.org

Krita, with WACOM tablet.
About 90 minutes