She didn’t want it, but she got it. We truly hope ribbons on this collar come fall will allow us to continue studying this unusual family another year. It took the pecans you sent to do it. It’s pretty loose, which may be okay for her small neck and big head at this age. We hope it will stay on.
Faith was sticking by big sister Hope and climbing on her. They are true friends. It will be interesting to see how they relate after family breakup next spring when sisters normally become competitors.
We saw Big Harry today for the first time this year. After looking at the muzzle colors for Lily, Hope, and Faith yesterday, Big Harry’s light muzzle fell into place. He was June’s mate in 2008 and very well could have been her mate, then, in 2006 when Lily was conceived. He and Lily have very similar muzzles. It is possible that Big Harry is the father of Lily.
June hurt her left eye. It’s matted and she is keeping it closed. It was fine Saturday morning. We hope it gets better. We are sending a picture of it to a veterinarian who is an eye specialist and serves as a consultant on eye problems of dogs.
It’s great to see the benefits the fans of the radio-collared bears bring to the area where they live. The powerful lead you have built for Soudan Underground Mine State Park is quadruple the votes for 2nd place in the Coca Cola contest to name America’s Favorite Park and obtain $100,000 for the winner. To vote, go to http://www.livepositively.com/#/americasparks/leaderboard and vote over and over.
Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center