Cinco de Mayo, Ted, Tasha - UPDATE May 5, 2017
May 5 is an important date for us. It is the anniversary—this year’s tenth anniversary—of the opening of the North American Bear Center on May 5, 2007. Ted faceIt’s amazing how far we have come—especially since 2010—with the help of Lily Fans and other donors who have together made it bigger and better than I had dared to dream. Our mission is sound. Our information is sound.
Click here to donate.People want to learn more about bears, and we are presenting the information people want to know in a way they want to learn it. Now, with the inclusion of the world of the bears in the Northwoods Ecology Hall, we have a broader focus. With all the help people have given as volunteers, donors, and dedicated staff, we are the number one destination in Ely according to Trip Advisor. Thank you for your help and for your reviews that gave us that position on Trip Advisor.
As part of the anniversary celebration, Lily Fan volunteers created a fundraiser for bear food—Buy a $10 Meal for a Bear—and asked that I mention it in this update. I thank them, and I thank all contributing Lily Fans for helping.
TedBear Keeper Sharon Herrell reported that the Veterinarian visit today went well. She said, “Ted, Lucky, Holly, and Tasha had their spring check-ups today. The bears are all in good health. Teeth, gums, fur and weight all good. They thought Tasha was adorable. I explained their nutritional plan and how often they are out".
Tasha Ted and Tasha happened to be out when I stopped there today. Out the viewing window, Ted stood up toward the little platform of food that hangs on the cedar “Pat” tree. I went out, and he stood still for a shot of his face. Tasha did the same, showing her “play ears” with her ears out to the sides like the wings of an airplane. She is tentative with me yet. She came close and almost sniffed my hand but then jumped away. Later, she then stood in light that showed how brown her fur has become as she approaches shedding. By fall, she’ll be black again. Ted’s fur does the same.
I’ve been notified that the live webcams at the bear center will be down during May 8-15 and will be back online on May 16. TashaThey are revamping the system with new wires and equipment that will include a new wide-angle Mound Cam. The chat room will remain open for questions, and Sharon will do her best to keep us updated throughout the week.
I like videos that give looks into bears’ minds. A Lily Fan sent me this 1:19-minute video of a young grizzly that was fascinated by a sprinkler hose. I especially liked the part where the bear covered its ears to have its head squirted without being squirted inside the ears. Bear Completely Loses His Mind After Discovering A Water Sprinkler
Out the window, a brown bird was with the common grackles. Except for the color, it looked like a common grackle, but I couldn’t quite determine the tail proportions in the brief look and the quick picture I got. I wondered if these early breeding birds could have a flying juvenile already,
but the eye was yellow like an adult grackle instead of dark like a juvenile. Is it a juvenile Brewer’s Blackbird? Would a Brewer’s be on the wing this early? Would a last year’s Brewer’s still be brown in spring? If anyone can straighten me out, send an email to
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center