Two of Ursula's cubsLast evening, we got a call that 26-year-old Shadow showed up at a feeding station with 2 cubs. 26 years is about the maximum age that black bears produce cubs. Will this be her last year of reproductive success? Shadow is the matriarch of the clan we are studying.
Ursula and female cubThursday, Jim and Bec had hiked over 1.5 miles into a remote area to change Ursula’s GPS batteries, then she moved 4.2 miles to a feeding station yesterday. It figures. This morning, Jim found the family in a nearby clear-cut. From his pictures we were able to determine one of her 3 cubs is a female. He also began to get a sense of the cubs’ individual personalities. The female sticks close to Ursula, another is shyer and hangs back, and the third was nowhere to be seen. Ursula didn’t seem concerned, so the cub was likely in a nearby treetop. This evening, Ursula moved back to her territory.
Bec and FaithToday, Jim and Bec made another attempt to connect with Faith whose GPS unit has been sending low battery messages. They endured a drenching rain and a long hike but were determined to reach her after yesterday’s failure. They succeeded. We appreciate their dedication. The remote area where Faith lives makes connecting with her difficult, but the data is well worth it. Her data history provides context for everything she does, and it all runs contrary to what most would predict.
Moose mountWe received a picture of the moose that’s being shipped to us as a donation from Lily Fans Mark Herbst and Diana Elias for the new Northwoods Ecology Exhibit. We look forward to displaying this mount in the Bear Center this summer as we finish off the new addition which will be its final home.
Juneberries are ripeningThe pond at the Bear Center looks the best we’ve ever seen it. Recent rains have filled it with the runoff from the two roofs. The rain hopefully is also plumping up the ripening berries.
Good food!Today was the Eagles Nest Township Lakes Association annual meeting and potluck picnic. Lots of good food and good folks. Some stopped to speak with Lynn—offering encouragement and help. We continue to read the slanted stories and untruths being put out to the media to sway the public against us. Unfortunately many people will believe what the DNR says without question.
Ursula's female cubWe’re not hearing of any problems with bears. People who maintain feeding stations, including the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary, are mostly talking about how few bears are visiting this year. Our GPS locations are backing that up.
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.