Jewel peaks out - Jan 10, 2012Where is the time going? So many things diverting us behind the scenes when we have to get the camera right for Jewel’s big moment that could be any day. If she follows her mother’s schedule, we have 12 days. If she follows the schedule of captive bears that a keeper kept records of birth dates, we have less than a week. The average of those birth dates was January 17. We have recorded dates in the middle of January and dates near the end of January. The Den-Watch Team is watching and recording, but there may be gaps if anyone wants to help fill in the schedule. Just fill out the form at http://tinyurl.com/den-watcher.
You and we know so much better what to expect than was known just a few years ago thanks to modern technology and a few trusting bears. Probably the most common old notion was that mothers woke up in spring surprised to see cubs. Another was that mothers were the soundest hibernators of all until the moment they give birth. In the old days, the only way to see in a den was to peek in. Small sample sizes, like the occasional peek into a den, can lead to erroneous conclusions. We feel extremely privileged to have a strong technology team working behind the scenes to show us and you what is happening in an undisturbed den.
Last year, we went one stretch of 55 days between visits to Lily’s den. We don’t think our visits disturb these trusting bears much, but the data are more compelling to doubters if there is no human presence for long periods. Jewel has surprised us in a good way. We haven’t seen her pay any attention to the Den Cam. She is not into licking the lens like Hope did last year or playing with the rubber bands like Lily did the year before. We have to pay a visit soon, though, to anchor the camera into a better position. The problem is the frozen rock-hard mound in front of the den. We’ll do the best we can.
Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center