Donna's cubOf course, there is the possibility of archery action, but we also did not see any hunters. Another quiet day with hunters hours ended 20 minutes ago.
It was also a day of planning how to upgrade the Bear Center this fall and winter.
Donna and her cubsWe got a call from a community feeder that Donna and her four chubby little cubs were there, and the group went over to see them. What a delight.
Many thanks to Lily Fans who are sending donations for food to help keep safe the bears we know best. It’s interesting that the bears have favorite places to eat. Some visit more than one community feeding site, but different parts of the community tend to see different bears. The bears that feel safest at the various feeding sites tend to be the bears we know best and have the highest hopes for Den Cams. After the two killings the first day and maybe a third yesterday whose picture we saw on Facebook, we don’t know of any of the favorites being taken. The place where Lily was seen a couple nights ago had its food disappear again last night, suggesting another visit by Lily and cubs to that safe location.
Donna and her cubsA few Lily Fans have asked how to get nuts to the bears, both at the WRI and the NABC. We are still working with the local business here in Ely to get something set up online so donations can be made directly to them to go toward nuts for the bears. Until then, the best way is to either send a check to the WRI at 1482 Trygg Road, Ely, MN 55731 or donate online via Bear Study's donation page: http://www.bearstudy.org/website/about-wri/make-a-donation.html.
The NABC and WRI work closely together. When the NABC needs nuts, the WRI gives them all they need.
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center
All photos taken today unless otherwise noted.