Lynn at Lily's Den - Feb 18, 2012
Snow cascades into Lily's den - Feb 18, 2012Lynn and Donna Rogers made the trek to Lily and Faith’s den today to realign the Den Cam. No one had been to the den since the Den Cam install was completed on December 18—a full two months ago—but neither bear said a bad word. Lily heard, “It’s me bear” and got up for a half dozen grapes Lynn tossed down to her so she’d know it was a friendly visit. Then she and Faith relaxed and returned to their bed. They had their priorities.
Lily and Faith eat snow - Feb 18, 2012Meanwhile, the Den Cam was repositioned at the direction of Sue Mansfield who gave directions by cell phone as she watched the changing picture on her computer. We hope the bears don’t bump it again. Our goal is to stay away for the remainder of the winter so the Den-Watch Team can record pure, undisturbed data.
Jewel mouths cub - Feb 18, 2012Many folks were concerned with snow accumulating in Lily’s den due to the open top. However, we found there was NO snow in their den. To get snow they have had to reach up out of the den. To reduce chances of them dislodging the camera again, Lynn brushed snow into the far end of the den (away from their bed) so they could get it without standing up by the Den Cam. We hope it works. Both Lily and Faith commensed to eating the snow after Lynn and Donna left.
Jewel and cub sleep muzzle to muzzle - Feb 18, 2012Lots of activity in Jewel’s den today. She’s making up for turning her back to the camera for days on end by facing the camera and caring for her cubs in full view of the Den Cam these past few days. Wonderful views of her cleaning the cubs, mouthing them, and even what seemed to be tongue-licking with the male cub.
A video of Jewel and cubs from yesterday is posted at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MezLD-hUWEk .
Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center