Callis works as a research paleo-archaeologist in norway counting pollen grains in soil samples.  But she has a thing about bears and another thing about men.  She has a troubled relationship with her boss who clearly fancies her and is a control freak. On a trip back to Scotlans for her mther's funeral she remeets a childhood friend who she has a bit of a crush on, and a pair of feminist college friends. Also she visits an estate where there are bears roamng in captivity.

Returning to Norway the country is in uproar as the possibly last bear has just been publcly shot (legally) with her cub by an angry farmer. Governent is setting up a commission and Callis applies to join and is accepted. Difficulties ensue getting leave from the institute, but she goes on an initial fact finding tour to countries with bears - Romania and Finland. 

In Romanian she spends three days in the woods with Petyr, the local bear expert, and they develop a strong bond. In FInland she meets a pair of bear-mad eco-activists.

With all the elements in place so it progresses. Ultimately thanks to the outrageous manipulation of her boss trying to prevent her involvement with the Norwegian initiative, which fails with the first bear released entering a local town and being shot, she enlists the help of the Finns. Together they plan a release in NW Scotland and secretly import two bears, but the second one dies thanks to a delay releasing her. The finns also secretly release bears (from Russia) in Sami teritory in Northern Norway where the Sami respect bears. Finally she hatches a plan to let a bear escape from the estate where they are held. The landowner is clearly sympathetic and covers their tracks.

In the end her love life seems to be sorted out as her scottish boyfriend has turned out tobe a two-timing jerk and she is about to be reunited with the Romainian bear expert Petyr.