Jewel on June - April 16, 2009When Jewel and Jordan followed June out of their den for the first time on April 16, 2009, June led them to a sheltered area where the cubs crawled up on her and fell asleep. They didn’t need to be under her for warmth because it was a sunny 64° (F). It was one of the moments I will treasure. To me, the scene, recorded by the BBC in Bearwalker, was an example of what trust-based research can reveal. June gave no expression of danger as she emerged and passed by me, and the cubs followed without hesitation. They fell asleep without a worry. These pictures of Jewel on June are candidates for the upper wall of the Bear Center. Jewel is now 7 and about to give birth herself in a few days. The plan, if we can’t do a Den Cam, is to record high def video from time to time from outside the den. The large entrance allows enough light for video and would have enabled spectacular Den Cam views. The DNR did not respond to our Den Cam Permit Application.
Jewel asleep - April 16, 2009This evening is the annual gathering of graduate students at the Bear Center from colleges across America. Things are a bit torn up there as we continue the upgrade, but there is still plenty to see. We’ll spend half the time doing questions and answers. Always a stimulating time with the students.
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center