Jewel and cub - Jan 1, 2013Somehow, audio that seemed right to technicians on location wasn’t loud enough for den cam observers. The Technology Team has turned up the audio, and we now can hear Jewel’s cubs begging to nurse along with sounds of wind and birds. A video from today's footage is posted at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_oCgECGbC0.
Lily’s audio could stand improvement. We don’t know what makes the pulsing static sound and are relying on the Technology Team to work their magic.
Wintery twigs - Jan 1, 2013Excitement mounts for us as we count down to Lily giving birth. Will she give birth on January 21 or 22 as she did in 2010 and 2011?
82 Den-Watchers are signed up and working, but more are needed. If you can help, the first step is to fill out a Volunteer Application at https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/ap?AP=1352689360. The Den-Watch Team has made things easier this year. 
Wintery woods - Jan 1, 2013Den-Watchers no longer need to know how to use Excel Spread Sheets. The team created and tested a simpler method. Den-watchers enter their data minute by minute into online forms that transfer the data onto Excel for you. With 3 Den Cams to monitor (Lily, Jewel, and eventually Ted), it will take a lot of Den-Watchers to cover an hour at a time, 24/7, considering that not all Den-Watchers are available all days.
Thank you for your continued donations for the Hope Learning Center—and you didn’t stop with the end of the year! In the last 6 days, you have donated over $11,709. Making a difference.
Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center