[2] Through the work of Leanne Allison's husband and film collaborator Karston Heuer (Being Caribou, Finding Farley), a park ranger at Banff, Allison was aware of thousands of hours of wildlife footage captured on remote trail cameras in the park.
Rob McLaughlin, then head of the NFB's digital studio in Vancouver, suggested an interactive project.
[5] In April 2012, DOXA Documentary Film Festival opened its 2012 season with a public showing of the film at St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church, with a live musical accompaniment by Tim Hecker, Loscil, and Heather McIntosh.
[11] In June 2012, Jam3 received a Gold Cyber Lion Award the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival in the category of Charities, Public Health & Safety and Public Awareness Messages, for its work on Bear 71.
[12] On January 15, 2013, Bear 71 was named Site of the Year for 2012 by the Favourite Website Awards.