Yearling Faith moved 2.6 miles overnight, and we’re watching to see if this is a move to a den. She’s squarely in her mother Lily’s territory but a mile from her. She is less than a tenth of a mile from where Lily was born and nine tenths of a mile from where Faith herself was born. Will she make a den or use a den that has been used before—maybe one we know that has history. The area is accessible by a forest road and a walk of less than a quarter mile.
Yearling Aster moved about 4 miles in recent days to be squarely in her mother June’s territory. She is in the roadless part of June’s territory that requires a canoe to get anywhere within walking distance for us ‘older’ biologists.
As more and more bears move to dens, we look back at this year of scarce natural food and the bear problems we’ve heard about elsewhere and marvel at how few problems there were in this community that has provided diversionary food for bears now for over 50 years. Bears are seldom problems for the people, and the people are seldom problems for the bears. Bears are part of the environment here, and most people embrace that. Education and attitude are key.
The ground-breaking for the Hope Learning Center is 4 days away. Lily Fans will be coming to Ely. Technology experts are installing a new brighter projector in the theater. Ted, Lucky, and Honey are in fine form, as usual, for the event. We’re looking forward to it.
Today was the first day of work for Judy Thon, the new Bear Center Operations Manager who comes with 35 years experience in managing thousands of workers in her old job as a U. S. Post Office official in charge of 5 states. We’ll see if she can handle the Miracle Team at the North American Bear Center just as well. Good luck, Judy, and thank you for taking on the task.
The skeleton crew at the Bear Center has been simply amazing in coming through these first 5 years of growth. We’re glad you’re giving a hand as we expand further with the Hope Learning Center and all that goes with it. Donna Andrews will now be able to concentrate more on Ted, Lucky, Honey, and the Gift Store—as she has long wanted to do.
We’re thankful for those who are clicking on the Volunteer Tab at bear.org and signing up to help. We’re also thankful for the donations coming in for the Hope Learning Center.
Thank you for all you do to expand education and save bears.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center