After a 10-minute presentation on the early relations with bears in our trust-based research and a 15-minute presentation on black bear vocalizations and body language, the phone rang. 
Jewels CubI recognized the number and answered, “Which bears are there?” When the Black Bear Field Course participants heard ‘Jewel and cubs,” they all jumped up, grabbed their cameras, and headed for the van.
At the location, Jewel and cubs were relaxed at first. Just inside the forest, they ate and played as we clicked. Then they detected other bears coming. The cubs rushed up a tree. Jewel stood concerned and alert until she saw it was 3-year-old Spot and a female friend we didn’t immediately recognize. Spot headed for the tub of water, which seemed okay with Jewel, but when his friend came too close to the cubs Jewel chased her deep into the forest, leaving her cubs safely up the tree. Jewel didn’t return for a good ten minutes. The little female stayed away. Jewel mostly ignored Spot, but when she had to pass closer to him than she was comfortable, she gave a look (photo below) and he moved off.
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| Jewel gets a better look... | and then "gives" the look |
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| Spot | Gull with mouse |
It was a day of excitement meeting Jewel’s family, Jack, Big Harry, and others.
Out the window, Eckrich bologna won again. Five gulls each rushed to snatch up pieces of bologna while ignoring a freshly trapped mouse. Finally, with no more bologna, a gull took the mouse without seeming that eager.
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center