Faith - July 17, 2012We have listened from afar to Faith’s active signal, but today is the first time anyone has seen Faith in weeks. She is doing fine. Sue connected briefly with the elusive Faith today, and she looks great. She has been using part of Lily’s territory and hasn’t been seen at a feeding station. Her fur is sleek. She is wary and adapting to life on her own.
Faith approaching - July 17, 2012Faith was in a part of the forest with big pines and ground cover but very little of the mid-story shrubs that hamper visibility in most of the study area. Sue caught glimpses of her as she cautiously circled around 30 yards away. Faith knows Sue's voice but apparently wanted to double check before committing to a close encounter. Finally, she slowly approached, got a few nuts and a check-up. Then she was off. Sue tried to follow. Faith wasn’t sure about that and bolted. Despite growing up being followed by researchers when she was with Lily, Faith isn’t ready to accept someone walking with her yet on her own.
Jewel standing - July 17, 2012Things are going fine with Jewel and family, too. It was time to change Jewel’s GPS batteries. She looks thin but healthy. Her breasts are well swollen, and Herbie and Fern are big and healthy-looking. The Bear Course group watched from a distance.
Juliet's cubs - July 17, 2012We and the Bear Course group moved on to Juliet to change her GPS batteries and check on Sam, Sophie, and Sybil. We found them resting at the base of a big white pine surrounded by droppings that were almost purely wild sarsaparilla berries (Aralia nudicaulis). Juliet’s heart rate was a low 66 per minute. Her face has new short fur but the rest of her body has yet to shed and grow new fur. Lactating mothers typically are slower to shed and grow new fur than other bears.
Female Mallard with 6 ducklings in Bear Center pond - July 17, 2012At the Bear Center, we all marveled at the fact a mallard successfully nested in the bear enclosure and now is on the pond with six brand new ducklings as of yesterday!
Juliet - July 17, 2012We got a high compliment from a Lily Fan whose ADHD husband was captivated by the exhibits for 6 hours and came back the next day. Along the same line, a Lily Fan who teaches gifted first graders, many of whom are also ADHD or autistic, said her students were never calmer or learning better than when she left the Den Cam on all day.
We are grateful for all the active volunteers who offered to man the Volunteer tables at the NABC on Friday and at the picnic on Saturday. We can use more coverage, especially at the NABC on Friday between 6PM and 9PM. If you are a current volunteer, especially a virtual volunteer, and can help out, please contact Myra at
Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center