Dave and HollyHolly is embracing our plan to use a bottle for bonding, feeding, and giving antibiotics. This morning it was David’s turn to give the bottle. Holly readily accepted the new person doing the now familiar routine. Eventually, we’ll vary the routine to expand acceptance and will try going in with her and adding touch as part of the routine.
Eagle landing on deer - April 11Who would think a bear that spent its critical bonding period sleeping with a man would be so slow to warm up to others? A study in Ontario showed that bears that were raised with contact did just as well after release into the wild as bears that were raised with little or no contact.
The “Hope” formula (below) we are giving Holly is fairly close to bear milk in that it is 18.16% protein (bear milk 19.1%), 59.3% fat (bear 68.6%), 18. 92% carbohydrate (bear = 8.2%), and approximately 4.1% ash (same as bear milk).
Eagle on deer - April 11Bear Milk Replacer (Hope formula)
Eagle flying - April 11Mix and store in refrigerator. If warming is required, warm in a hot water bath--not in the microwave or on the stove (damages the milk proteins).
At the Bear Center, momentum is building for using big touch screen tables and wall displays in the Ecology Hall and Hope Learning Center. They are commercially available. Putting them into use is beyond us but something we want to do. Lily Fans with knowledge of this could be a big help.
In the woods, the warm weather of the past few days melted open areas, revealing carcasses. The eagle that landed on this deer carcass ended up with food on his face as can be seen as he flew off at sunset.
CharlieJuliet and cubs were in their den yet this morning but could leave anytime. We don’t know the snow conditions in the open area where her den is. Snow conditions along the trail have prevented access. The snow is too deep for a pickup and too slushy for a snowmobile. Another problem is that Juliet dislodged the camera. We can see only enough to know they are still there. Cold is returning, which could let us get in by snowmobile and realign the camera. Every year presents different challenges. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it.
Cub numbers 1, 2, and 3 are now Ray, Bernard, and Charlie in that order. A chart of their identifying features and characteristics is available for download 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.