Den Cam image of Jewel and cub - Dec 23, 2012The Lily and Jewel Den Cams are installed and operational but not yet broadcasting online. Jewel’s will be online as soon as the new embed codes can be added to the website. Lily’s will take a bit longer. Lily was alert and curious about what we were doing. Jewel, Fern, and Herbie were more into sleeping—in fact we used a flashlight to make sure they were really in the den! We are VERY excited about the HD images from the new cameras. We captured a screen image of Jewel’s den to share with you. A new season of learning is about to begin.
Lynn at Lily's brush pile den - Dec 23, 2012We feel 
Lily checks out den cam - Dec 23, 2012fortunate to have a capable Technology Team committed to the task of getting these cams online. After researching, purchasing, and preparing equipment for weeks, they have worked for 2 long days—much of it in the cold—to install and troubleshoot the cams. Jewel’s cam came up fine. Issues remain with Lily’s cam but they have been isolated and should be resolved soon.
Lynn secures Jewel's den cam - Dec 23, 2012While the 
Jewel's den cam - Dec 23, 2012wild research bears show us how things are done in the wild, the ambassador bears at the Bear Center get a little pampering. They loved the extra straw and blankets we gave them earlier. Honey somehow has her blanket folded and rolled nicely under her head. So when a Lily Fan asked Director/Bear Curator Judy Thon yesterday if the bears might like a squishy big teddy bear for a pillow, Judy said, “Why not. It might reveal a little more about the minds of black bears.” The Lily Fan agreed and quickly bought a big teddy bear for each. They were right. Each bear quickly recognized the teddy bear as something they wanted and drew it in.
Judy Thon - Dec 23, 2012Friendly 
Ted rubbing his head on teddy bear - Dec 23, 2012Ted also invited the two humans in, making friendly grunts like the grunts Honey made to Lucky back in 2008 when she invited him to spend the winter snuggled next to her. The two humans declined, though, stepping aside so Judy McClure could get pictures of Ted’s friendly face and his response to the teddy bear. Ted rubbed his head on the furry teddy bear body as a sign of acceptance. Back in the fall of 2007, when Lucky gave himself up to Ted in wild play, Ted rubbed his head on Lucky’s exposed belly.
Honey eyes her teddy bear - Dec 23, 2012A few days ago we heard from a man who had a similar experience himself. He raised an orphaned female cub and then released it. Now grown and living wild, the bear returned. She held the man and rubbed her head on his head just like Ted is doing to the teddy bear in the picture.
Ted with teddy bear - Dec 23, 2012Thank you for the many messages of support for Donna’s surgery and Lynn and Donna’s drive to Mayo Clinic today. We printed the comments from last night’s update for her to take with her. Registration for the surgery (which will correct a complication from her last surgery) is at 5:30 AM tomorrow. We’re not sure about updates during the next couple days.
Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center