SwansIt was a day of office work. With nearly all the radio-collared bears sending GPS signals, we concentrated on preparing for the meeting with the governor and the commissioner. Outside, it was warm and windy, which would mean few biting bugs—but we were tied to our computers.
Jim Stroner arrived this evening and headed right out to see June, who had just begun sending low-battery signals after 13 days. It’s so much easier to replace batteries before they give out entirely. We appreciate Jim’s help.
We see with gratitude that the legal fund is growing. We also have seen samples of wonderful letters to the governor showing support and how learning about bears benefits both bears and people. As we’ve said, we’re looking for fairness and a thorough investigation into the issues the DNR is citing as reasons for ending our research.
A Lily Fan discovered an article by BBC producer Ted Oakes that we hadn’t seen. It is at http://www.discoverwildlife.com/animals/black-bear-whisperer?page2. Ted sums things up well. On the number of deaths from black bears, we would have said 66 since 1900.
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.