Jewel - in estrusMike and Lorie drove to collect a trail cam card where Lily was seen last September, and there she was with her 3 cubs crossing a road. No pictures, but a certain sighting.
Here at the WRI, 6-year-old Jewel (185 pounds today) showed up alone and in full estrus. This is our first sighting of her since May 8. Mike, Lorie, and I all remarked how she has mellowed out since the early years when she was so keyed up and defensive. She has turned into a sweetheart and a bear we would love to give a Den Cam to this winter when she will have cubs.
Mike puts in an appearanceSamantha’s yearling Mike put in an appearance and posed nicely for an ID picture, wary as usual. As some yearlings have done, he climbed a big white pine where he could rest and relax.
At the Bear Center, I am very impressed with the upgrade to the theater in appearance, picture quality, and sound. It made me feel like I was out in the woods with June, Juliet, and their cubs. The signs going into the theater are beautiful. The walls inside are covered with carpet for much better sound. And the picture on the big screen is just the right brightness. People were ooing and aahing.
I don’t know if it is Scott’s new OPEN flags out by the highway, but the parking lot was as full as I’ve seen it so far this year. A honeymooning couple from Kansas were a joy to meet. Lily Fans, they are raising her pre-teen daughter with good information about bears, which is why they were there.
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center.