The Wait Continues
October 3, 2010 – 8:04 PM CDT
After checking her den again yesterday, Braveheart has moved slightly over 2 miles away from it.
About 4:30 PM today, Lily and Hope finally decided to leave the small area where they spent 44 ¾ hours 1.9 miles from their den. As of 8:08 PM, they were 1.1 miles away from that spot but are 35 degrees off course if they are heading for their den.
The pattern of locations for Lily and Hope in the small area they spent so much time suggests foraging. We’ll know when we check that spot for scats. But if they’re still hungry, why aren’t they visiting households that feed bears? Are they looking for something special? The scats (or lack of them) could give a clue.
After moving 5 miles 2 nights ago, Jo (picture) spent today bedded only a quarter mile from yesterday’s bed. She had raked leaf litter from a large area today to insulate her from the cold ground (picture of bed).
Juliet and cubs also spent the day in a small area, but early this evening they moved to one of her old dens. We wonder if she is thinking of reusing it. This is the second time she has visited this old den this fall.
All still have their ribbons, which have proved to be durable and highly visible, but they probably won’t encounter bear hunters now. They are mostly sedentary, and few bear hunters are around.
You stretched the lead in the School Contest to 1,585 votes, and you put the research fundraiser over the $20,000 mark! Thank you!
Thank you for ALL you do.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center