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A Real Danger of Bear Research - UPDATE April 6, 2015

Cubs eating Water Parsnips - 07-20-2009Cubs eating water parsnip - 07-20-2009In this ½-minute video clip from July 20, 2009, Sue videoed the real danger in our kind of bear research. Sue wrote that we’re usually safe from hornets while following a bear because the bear spots the nest first and alerts us to back off. However, this time June missed a nest and walked right past it. By the time the hornets reacted, it was Sue that got stung. June turned, brushed by Sue and stood up to pull down the nest to eat the hornet brood. With hornets swarming around, Sue didn't dare move. Standing with her back to the hornet nest, she turned the video camera around to record the event. https://youtu.be/xw9JoZ9ld7Y.

June’s cubs Jewel and Jordan are not visible in this video. Usually by this age (6 months), cubs don’t stick close to their mothers while foraging. They function as little satellites finding their own food but all listening to each other to stay loosely together.

In a 1-minute video clip from that same day, Jewel and Jordan become cute little stars as they wade into a pond to eat water parsnip (Sium suave). Water parsnip has poisoned cattle, but bears have no problem eating it. https://youtu.be/VohOTJ6IGgY

Tomorrow (the 7th), the Minnesota State Legislature reconvenes, but we don’t see any meetings scheduled yet for SF1303. I’ve seen some terrific letters that have gone to the legislators. Thank you.

Thank you for all you do.

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


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