One-eyed Jack - Aug 24, 2013Lynn’s day got off to a great start with a kiss from Ted. Then Ted sat up and tried to pull Lynn closer for more. When Ted first arrived at the Bear Center just before it opened in 2007, he bonded with Lynn. The bond remains strong. Ted is one in a million.
Then the Bear Care staff and Lynn sat down and brainstormed about how to make things better for the bears and the bear-viewers.
One suggestion was that the waterfall noise might be scaring Lucky and reducing his time in the pond. We’ll experiment by turning the big waterfall down or off.
Another suggestion was removing the woven net-like electric fence from in front of the viewing windows so there is a clearer view for children who can’t see over it. Removing the electric fence will allow the bears to come right up to the windows. That will mean re-routing the hose that runs through that area to keep the pond full. We’ll also keep the weeds and flowers very short between the windows and the pond so shorter people have a clear view.
Another suggestion was moving the lecture monitor off its cart and putting two big monitors high on the wall for better viewing and making sure the monitor doesn’t obstruct the view of the bears.
Gentle Jack showed up long after dark. He looks strong and healthy but hungry. Jack is about as mild-mannered as they come, but when a male of equal size challenged him over food on the scale, Jack made one of his rare threats and dominated him without any touching. Jack got his fair share of food, and the Bear Course participants learned the sounds of a brief loud threat. Crossing our fingers for him.
Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center
All photos taken today unless otherwise noted.