Holly & Lucky in white pine - July 11Today, Lynn and Donna attended the Annual Eagles Nest Community Picnic. Person after person expressed their support for the research and their anger about the DNR's actions and the judge’s decision. It felt good.
Some had seen the latest editorial in the Ely Timberjay at http://www.timberjay.com/stories/The-DNR-must-be-fair,11589 and were happy to see a newspaper that dares to tell it how it is.
Among the stories we heard at the picnic today were a few bear sightings, but one nearby neighbor expressed disappointment because she has only seen one bear this year. A great thing about this community is the joy most residents take in wildlife, including bears. They have lived with them so many decades that peaceful coexistence is the rule, rather than the exception.
Bear Educator with kids - July 11Meanwhile, Lucky and Holly are spending happy, playful time together, here shown up the “Lucky Tree,” the tree Lucky spent so much time in as a cub and is now spending it there with Holly. Inside the Bear Center, help from volunteers includes giving children memorable educational experiences.
We thank Lily Fans for the very supportive comments we are seeing, including a wonderful letter to the editor from Spain that appeared in the Duluth News Tribune at http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/content/readers-view-ending-rogers-bear-research-tragedy.
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.