Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)Sometime after 5:00 PM last night, Aster headed north—crossing Hwy 169 around midnight. By 5:10 AM she had traveled 5.2 miles and stopped to rest.
AsterMike and Lorie checked on her and reported back that she is still moving on 3 legs. However, when she stops she puts her foot down and seems to be putting some weight on it. That’s good news! We’ve been concerned the bullet had caused nerve damage because she initially had no control of her foot—she was simply dragging it.
Just after 5:00 PM this evening, Aster set out again and moved another 1.4 miles. She is far outside of what we think of as her territory. We are buoyed by the fact she has healed enough to move such long distances. We’re hopeful that a long winter’s rest will set her right again.
The IBA Conference wrapped up this evening and we leave early tomorrow for a long day of travel home to Ely. It has been a great conference in many ways, but it will be good to be back home.
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.