Aspen, Aster, and June - May 8, 2012Today we scrambled to change batteries on 4 GPS units—Braveheart, Juliet, Jo, and June. We’ve come to rely on the detailed location data we get from the GPS units. Not only does it let us know where the bears are, but we have learned to interpret some behaviors from the data as well. It was Lily’s odd pattern of GPS locations that alerted us yesterday and prompted us to check to see if Faith’s radio-signal was still in the same direction as Lily’s. As you know, it was not.
Sue did her best to catch up to Lily to change her GPS batteries and then to stay with Lily to document her behaviors. It is nearly impossible to keep a bear in sight if they’re not stopping to forage—and Lily was only stopping briefly to check scents. When Lily descended a steep moss-covered rock face, Sue lost all hope of catching up and said “Thank you, bear!” Lily’s travels last night took her back to the same area where she had split from Faith. We wondered if they had gotten back together. An early morning check found them still apart and it is unlikely they will get back together now. Today, there was no hope of walking with Lily. She circumnavigated nearly her entire territory! She was seen at 8:30 PM yesterday without a male, so she is probably laying down a scent trail to attract males.
Jim Stroner spent time with Lily and Faith on Saturday and took some video of their interactions. We have posted the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBCGoKTNyRo.
Just now, we watched on our computer screen as Lily made a sudden about-face in June’s territory just as June made a quick move in Lily’s direction. We wonder if contact was made. Lily has been pushing into June’s territory for 2 years now—even denning there this past winter.
Victoria licks her injured paw - May 8, 2012Braveheart’s family was still together this morning when we changed her GPS batteries. Jo was on the move, but we found Victoria still with her as well. We noticed Victoria has a cut between the inner 2 toes on her right front foot. She seems to be caring for it well and not limping.
Then it was a long trek deep into Bear Head State Park to locate June to change her GPS batteries. Aster and Aspen are still with her. We stayed long enough to see June groom each yearling in turn and watch Aspen groom June. We left them all sleeping peacefully at the base of a white pine.
With fresh batteries in the GPS units of Braveheart, Jo, and June, we are in good shape to monitor their movements and catch signs of family breakup. Of the 3, only June has a collared offspring so we will need to connect with Jo and Braveheart to confirm family breakups.
Long day. Some days it’s hard to keep up with everything.
Dates and times for the BBC Planet Earth Live and Nat Geo Wild 24/7 Wild shows are posted at http://www.bear.org/website/planet-earth-live.html.
Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center