Skip to main content

Welcome! Be sure to visit the NABC website as well.

Hibernation, Ted, Hinckley, Ecology Hall - UPDATE September 19, 2014

Deer at feederDeer at feeder - Sept. 18, 2014As bears drift away from the community feeding stations and transition into hibernation, it becomes more apparent that the feeders are wildlife feeders, not just bear feeders. Last evening, a doe stood motionless next to a feeder with the setting sun reflected in her eye. Raccoons, fishers, pine martens, and wolves are being spotted at the feeding stations along with migrating birds—especially blue jays and crows—and migrating sharp-shinned hawks are here to chase them. Not all of the bears have left the community feeding stations yet, though. At one of them, the landowner spotted an unfamiliar mom with cubs. She sent pictures. On a hunch, we sent them on to the easternmost feeding station operator. The mom is 5-year-old Summer, daughter of Shannon, granddaughter of Donna, great granddaughter of Blackheart, and great great granddaughter of Shadow—5 generations. Her cubs Sadie, Sven, and Spot represent a 6th generation.

Part of the transition to hibernation is ridding the body of intestinal roundworms that co-evolved with black bears. At the Bear Center, Holly eliminated some roundworms yesterday and was given medicine today to rid her of any remaining ones.

Summer - September 16, 2014Summer - Sept. 16, 2014We continue to consider letting Ted and Lucky mingle in the big enclosure. We have kept them apart for over a year and a half. If they can now get along, they both should have as much access to the big enclosure as possible. The challenges and natural food of the forest and its inhabitants, including bears, is what keep their minds active and engaged. We’re continuing to watch Ted and Lucky’s interactions. We also note that Ted asks to get back into his small pen after an hour or two of being out. The bears will let us know what is right to do.

In the Northwoods Ecology Hall, the effects of human history on the northwoods will be an interesting story of local human culture. Native Americans in this part of North America were mainly hunter-gatherers who had little impact on the bear population. Jamestown Colonists brought farming, guns, and livestock to America, introducing a new culture that would spread across America. Part of the farming culture is eliminating competitors like bears and various carnivores. In our area, Voyageurs paddled the Boundary Waters trade routes, trading for furs. Logging the big valuable white pines in Minnesota began about 1837 and was a booming industry until it faltered in 1932. The light seeds of aspen trees blew in and created the aspen forests and the booming pulpwood industry of today. The change in habitat also brought white-tailed deer north along with their brainworm parasites that are lethal to moose and woodland caribou, causing woodland caribou to die out. In 1884, iron mining began in northeastern Minnesota and was mainstay to the economy while affecting relatively little of the land. Farms that were attempted in this area of poor soil were mostly abandoned. Tourism became an economic mainstay. Plants from the homelands of those who settled here add color to the roadsides and change native habitat.

Summer's cub - Sept. 16, 2014Summer's cub - Sept. 16, 2014We’ll summarize the story in the exhibit and add detail on the touch-screen boards we are getting. Voltz Technology researched the board and will present their information to us on Monday.

Lynn and Donna are looking forward to the Hinckley Gathering on November 1st. As always, it will be at the Grand Casino in Hinckley, Minnesota. Details are at https://www.facebook.com/events/1453217258283352/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming.

An early heads-up that there will likely be no updates October 17-21 as Lynn travels to Michigan for granddaughter Veronica’s 10th birthday and to take her for a walk in the woods to learn flora and fauna and how to use field guides.

Thank you for all you do.

Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center


Share this update: