Fern Lily Fans are coming through with strength that is much appreciated and giving us hope. Meanwhile, we are starting to explore more gentle avenues toward a peaceful settlement. We hope to meet with Governor Mark Dayton. We deeply appreciate the heartfelt letters that have already been sent but ask that letters be held while we negotiate a meeting with the governor. We want to avoid legal proceedings, if possible, but have set up a separate Legal Fund in preparation for the worst. Donations to this fund can be made at www.bearstudy.org.
LilyWe are still hoping the research can continue. However, in preparing for the worst, we needed to assess whether we could even connect with yearling Fern in the woods to remove her collar if need be. Yearlings are particularly skittish on their own, so we seldom attempt to connect with them. Would Fern accept a person near her in the woods?
Lily straddle-marking a red pineThis sounded like a job for Mike Johnson. His calm manner, familiar actions and words, and patience with her timidity, did the trick. Eventually, Fern cautiously came close.
Lynn and the current bear course group checked on Lily, Eli, and Ellie today. Lily was her usual calm gentle self with a heart rate of 78. Eli and Ellie stayed high in a red pine. Lily preempted Sue’s Tuesday ‘bear sign’ field trip by showing the group how she straddles trees.
June standing on logJune was accessible later today, and we paid her a visit as well. She was panting on this hot day and had a heart rate of 90 after foraging on the edge of a clearcut.
Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center
All photos taken today unless otherwise noted.