Samantha on scale - July 4, 2012The bear course participants were already on their way to the Bear Center and we were about to join them when we noticed a bear in the yard. We took time to identify the bear for our records—and we’re glad we did.
Samantha - July 4, 2012It was female, she knew the place, and she knew us—but who was she? Couldn’t be Shirley—she would show signs of having worn a collar. Couldn’t be Baby Devil—she wasn’t this trusting. Then we noticed it. The telltale notch on the leading edge of the right ear. 3-year-old Samantha! Daughter of Braveheart and sister of Sarah.
We lured her to the scale—121.5 pounds. As she confidently stood up and leaned on 
Samantha's well-used nipple - July 4, 2012the front of the scale we caught sight of prominent mammae indicating recent use. Early this morning someone reported seeing an uncollared bear with 3 tiny cubs crossing the road. Perhaps we had the answer to that puzzle.
Lily's 2010 lakefront den - July 2, 2012Earlier this week, we took the bear course folks to Lily’s 2010 den. They were surprised how small the den was and how close it was to the water! This picture taken by one of them shows that well.
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center