After much unsuccessful searching for radio signals from Cookie and Colleen using vehicles and an airplane, we thought the worst. Now Cookie showed up today like Colleen did a couple weeks ago—both without collars. We don’t know where they dropped their collars or how their signals were missed during the telemetry flight.
As a further mystery, we wonder why we couldn’t get Braveheart’s signal from the airplane a couple days ago, too. A lot of searching from a vehicle turned up her signal last night, but something was wrong. The signal had very short range at times, which is what might have been why we didn’t hear it from the airplane. Today, we picked up Braveheart’s radio-collar from a beautiful carpet of thick moss in a black spruce swamp (no camera, though). She probably was never gone at all. We’ll send the radio-collar in to Telonics for a replacement. Getting the short-range signal last night saved us an expensive flight today. We have a radio-collar waiting for the next time Braveheart is spotted.
We gave June her daily dose of antibiotics this morning and noticed her eye is still weepy but no longer matted. The antibiotics seem to be having an effect. She has since moved to a remote area which could make reaching her tomorrow a challenge – but she is worth the hike. Later this evening we will post a video of June and her cubs at http://www.youtube.com/user/bearstudy#g/u. The picture of June (left) was taken July 16, as was the one of her cub (right) which just begs for a caption! He was caught mid-bite as he sampled vegetaton.
To vote for Soudan Underground Mine State Park, go to http://www.livepositively.com/#/americasparks/leaderboard and vote over and over. This contest closes September 6th. Your support for Soudan Underground Mine State Park is much appreciated by us, DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr, the local residents, and the research bears!
If you haven’t already given us your thoughts in the survey, there are only 3 days to go. It ends at the end of the day on August 1. The link to the survey is https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7S5B2GZ . If you like, you can download the nice picture (signed) of Faith that is on the cover of Ely Summer Times. It has great detail and is suitable for framing.
We are hearing such appreciation and enthusiasm about Lily fans from merchants as a result of the Lilypad Picnic! We’re already looking forward to the one next year.
Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center