Sybil or Sophie? - May 13, 2015Has RC split from her yearlings already? If so, we’re glad we got good ID pictures of the yearlings (Heinrik and Veronica) when they were still together. The sighting of the family together on the 12th at 8:11 PM was the last time we saw them together. The next morning, RC was here alone.
This morning when it was still too dark for a picture, a male was on the trail of a female. He was so absorbed in sorting out the trail that he ignored my voice and food offerings , showing why males lose about 20 percent of their weight during mating season. He wanted only to sniff the ground and vegetation, expertly going back to recheck scents, progressing a little, and finally hurrying down the hill and across the beaver dam with his nose to the ground.
Was he trailing RC? Jewel, Fern, and others may also have been here. Jewel is likely approaching family break-up, which coincides with the onset of estrus. Fern is a young mature female at 3.
The two females we had seen at another feeding site a few days ago are most likely Sybil and Sophie, from their behaviors, and both are 3-year-olds. The one with the bald face was here yesterday (her facial hair already growing out).
It’s spring. Love is in the air. We’ll be on the lookout to see who ends up with whom for how long. The feeding stations give an opportunity to add another chapter to Shadow’s clan.
Spearfish, SD edged past Ely shortly before midnight last night after a valiant effort by Lily Fans. Well done.
We still don’t know the status of the feeding bill that might be inserted into HF846, but we know we have good allies in the legislature. We’re optimistic and looking to learn more tomorrow.
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center