Lily and female cubAt 11:20 AM and at 11:53 AM, those watching Lily’s Den Cam heard voices near the den. Lily didn’t even acknowledge them. The people knew she was there but kept their distance and did not disturb her. Most people in this community would not harm or disturb bears. Most residents peacefully coexist with bears, which is why the feeding has continued for over half a century. 
Lily and female cubIt aided peaceful co-existence. People learned that black bears are not the dangerous animals they once thought and that they didn’t have to get their gun whenever they saw one. It’s also why complaints about bears have been traditionally low in this community. It takes two things to make a complaint—what the bear does and how the person feels about it. Most people here don’t complain about seeing a bear walk through their yard.
Video of Lily and her cubs today is posted at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y34lsjPyiBk.
Jewel chewing footpadsAt Jewel’s den, it was a dog barking nearby about 6:15 PM. Jewel continued to breathe only 2.2 times per minute nevertheless. None of the 3 bears bothered to raise their heads as the dog barked excitedly and the owner called it away. This morning Jewel spent 20 minutes doing some serious footpad chewing! Video of Jewel, Herbie, and Fern is posted at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIpeJD60Ru4.
FernOn this windless morning, the temperature varied from minus 15 to minus 2 in pockets along the 15 miles from home to the Research Center. Later, the temperature reached +25F. Spring is ‘officially’ less than 3 weeks away. Lily and her cubs will probably remain in their den for another 5-6 weeks, although Mother Nature knows for sure.
HerbieAn early snowmelt could bring Lily and her cubs out sooner, considering how big those cubs are. Their den is in a clear-cut, which gets full sun on clear days. Snow melts faster in clear-cuts than in the forest. When the snow goes, there won’t be much keeping them at the den. There are huge white pines on the edge of the clear-cut. Will she move her cubs to one of them, or will she seek out a more secluded place? Time will tell.
Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center
All pictures were taken today unless otherwise noted.