Holly BearLucky and Holly might each den alone. I am now thinking I was overly optimistic based on what we saw earlier. Lucky is done eating and is in Holly’s den with double his ration of straw after raking it from the bunker den next door and from the chalet den 100 feet away. Holly put her head in today only to hear Lucky blowing his disapproval about being disturbed. He certainly didn’t want to play, and Holly was in a raucously playful mood. Holly is slowing down, too, though, and maybe when she isn’t in such a playful mood she will be better accepted by lethargic Lucky. Meanwhile, Holly is exploring an alternative just like wild bears do. A couple days ago, she was seen covered with mud like she’d been digging. Today, staff found her freshly dug den between some boulders. Wild bears often attempt to dig several dens before they find what they want –just like Lily did before she settled into the den we watched her give birth to Hope in.
Holly, not yet ready to denToday, Holly was temporarily detained in her old pen (where Lucky is denning). Hoping they could get her back in the pen before Scott’s 1 PM broadcast of “Live from the NABC,” staff let her out to see what she would do at the dug den. She had little interest in food. She followed us to the den she is digging but paid no attention to it. She wanted to play but not as gently as we’d like. She misses her play buddy Lucky.
Then we looked at Ted’s nose. The swelling is down but not completely. The veterinarians are on it.
Rusty BlackbirdRusty blackbirds (Euphagus carolinus) are migrating through. This male didn’t pause long, enough for a sharp picture but did reveal his diagnostic yellow eye and rusty fall plumage for the record.
This morning, we had a goodbye brunch for Lora DeWeese who at 75 is retiring to spend more time with her 3 generations of descendents in Kansas. Lora was always the epitome of professionalism as a dedicated, fun, sales associate. She has been with us from the beginning—including the 3 years at other locations before we officially opened on May 5, 2007. She was always a joy. We will miss her, as you can imagine.
 Holly's hard work |
 Muddy footprint |
 Heidi looks in Holly's Den |
 Inside the den |
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center
All photos taken today unless otherwise noted.