Putting ribbons on Lily was an experience, thanks to Faith. We put ribbons and radio-collars on bears using trust and treats, of course, but today Faith wanted all the treats.
Lily and Hope may be in the early stages of slowing down for the winter. They were bedded this afternoon for nearly 4 hours. We know from past experience that mothers want to settle down earlier than their cubs do. When Sue caught up to the trusting trio deep in the woods, Faith was ravenous. She vocalized (“mine-mine-mine-mine…”) to both Lily and Hope, letting them know that she wanted the food and would go after them if they got in her way. She even went after dear big sister Hope, who backed off from famished Faith, just as Lily did, and let her have all the nuts. With all that happening, and Sue being alone, it was all she could do to get the ribbons on Lily, and she didn’t think to take a picture.
All the GPSed bears are safe. Mountain ash berries (above) began to show up in scats today, so another food source is coming on.
Lily fan Brit Haagna in Germany sent this link to the German version of Bearwalker of the Northwoods on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOrrpecQD-A and the information that it will be airing there on WDR-TV on Saturday, August 27, at 8:15 PM, on Sunday, August 28, at 4:15 PM, and Monday, August 29, at 12:30 PM. We don’t know if this is the full 59-minute UK version that is available in the webstore on bear.org or if it is shortened to 43 minutes to make room for commercials.
To vote for Soudan Underground Mine State Park, go to http://m.livepositively.com/park_details.jsp?parkId=556 and vote over and over. 13 days to go. We are impressed with the dedication Lily fans have shown in this voting!
We appreciated your additional orders for the 3-DVD collector’s set ($24.95) “Lily and Hope: Memories of 2010” at http://www.bear.org/website/gift-shop.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_images.tpl&product_id=855.
Thank you for the people food that arrived at the North American Bear Center today and for the food for bears that arrived at the Bear Center and the Wildlife Research Institute. Much appreciated!
And thank you for the kind and encouraging words we see every day.
Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center