Aster approaches without limpResearch associates Lorie, Mike, and Jim hiked in to check on Aster this morning. She is walking fine, and the crew couldn’t see a mark from the bullet to the tricep she took last fall! Some years back, the updates discussed the difference in wounding rates determined by a survey of hunters (13% wounding rate) versus observations of bears in dens the next spring (3%). We attributed the difference to healing overwinter during hibernation. Today, Aster showed us amazing healing overwinter. Last fall, her right front leg was dangling and useless shortly after the shooting in September. By the time she got to her old den and was observed on October 23, she was putting some weight on it. Today, she was walking with no noticeable limp.
Aster's day bedAster has been out of her den for several days. She has a well-worn path between her den and a day bed maybe 40 feet away. She may have been returning to her den each evening like Honey does at the Bear Center. However, no fresh tracks were seen between her den and day bed and she was very lethargic and slow-moving when the crew found her. Aster is doing okay. Great news after what we saw last fall.
Ted enjoys his romaineAt the Bear Center, Ted readily comes out of his chalet den to get his romaine lettuce and carrots. Holly heard us coming and was waiting at the gate to her enclosure when we arrived. She eagerly drank her formula with the antibiotic powder and ate her carrots and romaine. Lucky emerged for nuts. Honey spends each night in her wooden den by the viewing windows but spends time away in the woods each day. If she goes to the gate and asks for food, she gets it, but she seldom does that.
Holly's ears stand up!Lynn is grateful to everyone who celebrated his birthday with him online yesterday or in person last night. A simple thank you doesn’t seem enough for the people who worked so long and hard to make last night’s festivities the joy that they were. There was no hiding how much Lynn appreciated seeing friends from decades past and Lily Fan friends of recent years who came from as far away as England. To quote Terry Hagenah of Team Forward, “A good time was had by all.”
Holly meets Bear Educators Jim and JackieToday, Lynn spent time with his wife Donna, sister Joyce (70), and niece Dina (50). One thing they did was visit the International Wolf Center where ravens happened to be scavenging a road-killed deer the wolves had partially eaten. What made that especially interesting was that raven are among the most wary of forest birds but have the intelligence to adapt to city life. 
Mike and Lorie radio-trackingThey have learned to accept people watching and photographing through viewing windows maybe 30 feet away—a highly unusual opportunity to watch their interactions close-up at a carcass. Last night, Wolf Center co-founder Nancy Gibson was among those telling stories on Lynn from decades past.
Aster's denThe last couple days have been a joy, seeing the birthday greetings yesterday, being with friends and family, and learning how well Aster is doing.
Meanwhile, Lily Fans are sending ideas to make the exhibits for the Northwoods Ecology Hall the best sensory and educational experience they can be.
Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center