June wet from crossing the marsh - June 15, 2012Finding June and getting a functioning GPS unit on her was the priority today. Sue located June’s radio-signal at the end of a logging road—7 miles from where she had been 2 days ago. The road vanished into a 200 foot wide sedge marsh with a stream running through it, and June was on the other side.
June stands up to get a better look - June 15, 2012Unable to go further, Sue called and called, hoping June would respond and cross the marsh. A half hour later, June appeared on the opposite shore. She seemed hesitant at first and even stood up a couple times as she crossed to get a better look. Then she came confidently for the GPS unit swap. June got a couple extra handfuls of nuts for crossing the marsh—thank you, bear!
Juliet up to her neck in ferns - June 15, 2012Juliet was next on the list. Again, the logging road ended with Juliet still far beyond. The walk was long but pleasant. Juliet’s cubs were high in a huge white pine, so Juliet was extra calm and very easy to work with. Mission accomplished.
2-year-old Sharon, Juliet’s daughter, is back ‘on the map’ with no intervention from us. She amazed us by roaming 4 miles west of her former limit and finding the biggest tent caterpillar outbreak in the area. How did she know? How many other bears made the same trip?
Faith shedding her winter coat - June 15, 2012Faith was with a little male buddy until they encountered Faith’s mother Lily. Faith cautiously spent the next hour up a big white pine. When she finally came down and ventured into a forest opening, she was wary as the picture shows. When she heard a rustle in the forest, she tore off in the opposite direction. Later, she felt calmer and was marking trees like a big bear.
Eva Eaglesham gets a big bear hug - June 14, 2012Yesterday, Lynn had the pleasure of meeting little Eva Eaglesham (8) from Scotland at the North American Bear Center. Eva had been Skyping with Dana Coleman’s class for the last year. Inspiration flowed back and forth between the countries. Dana’s class worked on a bill to make the black bear Minnesota’s State Mammal. Eva successfully fought to save 3 circus bears that will now live out their lives in a sanctuary.
Eva explores the Cub Room at the Beaer Center with her mother June (right) and Dana Coleman (left) - June 14, 2012Eva and her parents, Simon and June, next came to Minnesota to meet some of her American friends and visit the Bear Center with Dana, and Dana’s husband Troy. What a good feeling to meet them and hear yet another story of how Lily, Hope, Faith, and family brought together more people to make good things happen for bears. May the stories go on and on.
Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center