Aspen bends a tree while June rests - April 26, 2012Today was all about June. We knew her GPS batteries were reaching the end of their life but we hoped she would move to a more accessible location before they quit. No such luck. Her last GPS reading was just after 2:00 AM this morning—far from any road. Sue headed out this morning to replace the batteries. Something went wrong. The GPS unit did not begin transmitting locations after the new batteries were installed. A long hike in and still no locations from June. At least Sue got video.
June - April 26, 2012June and her yearlings were eating snow fleas under damp leaf litter and large-leafed aster leaves that are sprouting from the forest floor. It was as if Sue wasn’t there. Little Aster, the female yearling, came over to sleep at the base of the tree Sue was standing by. Sue sat down with her back to the other side of the tree. June came over and joined Aster. Shortly, shy Aspen, the male yearling joined them. Sue’s many hours with the family last year is paying off with the depth of trust that only comes with time. They are not nursing frequently now—only once in 5.5 hours—but June is producing milk, at least a little.
Snowfleas - April 26, 2012We’re thinking of calling the new Education Building the “Hope Education Building.” Hope’s name and life stands for exactly what the North American Bear Center stands for. The letters of her name stand for HOPE for bear populations everywhere, OPPORTUNITY to learn what bears are really like, PROGRESS toward correcting misconceptions and changing attitudes, and EDUCATING about bear life. Hope’s short life brought together so many people as friends and created such a big educational movement that her life and legacy deserve recognition. A big plaque inside the entrance of the new building will tell what she and Lily were all about and how they and their fans started the worldwide education outreach the building will headquarter.
A video of Jewel and her cubs from April 21 is posted at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLBGoMLbXjQ.
Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center