Aster at denThe GPS locations from last year and this year match. But we’re confused by the trees around the den in the pictures. See what you think, comparing these pictures with those in the October 16, 2012 Update. It looks different. However, the den does match the picture taken during a den check last March. We are left to think there are likely 2 dens in the immediate area—the one we found her at last October and the one we found her in last March. Makes a person want to hike there on a nice day sometime to check.
Aster's denMike and Lorie said Aster was a sweetheart. It took her awhile to get going, but finally she emerged and let them remove her GPS unit, stiff plastic strips, and long dangling ribbons.
Aster is healingThe best news is that her leg is doing better. She is still hobbling but putting some weight on it now, and she used it to move a rock out of the way while putting her weight on her good leg (the right one). She hasn’t raked any bedding in yet and we wonder if she can. We believe her leg will be a lot better by spring.
Aster's den last MarchLily is still active in her small area where we think she will den. She moved a short distance today before settling down again.
Deer eating grassDoes and fawns are flocking to the grass here.
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.