A Touching Moment
August 16, 2010 – 8:55 PM CDT
The highlight today was watching Lily’s reaction when Hope returned from foraging a short way off on her own. First, they touched their faces together. Then Hope snuggled in with Lily and Lily put her arm around Hope and bit her gently and playfully on the cheek. We think Hope’s look in the picture says she liked it. They were deep in a cedar/alder swamp.
Stories about them appeared in the Duluth News Tribune (at least online) today and also on Northland News Channels 6 and 11 this evening. We were with Lily and Hope at the time and missed the broadcasts.
Things continue to progress on the Education Outreach for classrooms, outdoor education center, home-schoolers, etc. Tremendous effort with many educators giving generously of their talent and time.
The Minnesota DNR’s Bear Head Lake State Park may develop a whole new appreciation for June, Lily, and Hope, due to the heroic efforts the Lily-Hope fans are making to win $100,000 for the park in the Coca Cola Favorite Parks contest. Fans have put the park in the lead by over 350,000 votes!
Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center