Words from Sharon and joyful videos:
“Today was a big day for our 4 year old Holly and our 2 year old Tasha. 
Holly and TashaAfter a big breakfast, I wanted full tummies, the bear gates were opened for the girls around 9:25 this morning. Tasha was too busy eating the rind of her melon to notice Holly approaching inside the cabin den. Tasha moved to the side while Holly took over inside the cabin. At first they mouthed each other, then pawed at each other at the entrance of the den. Play quickly moved outside the den to a sparring position near Tasha's small pool. After many minutes of play, Holly tried to get a drink but Tasha was only interested in continuing to play. At one point they left the cabin den and Holly ran up to the big bunker to touch noses with Lucky. He watched as Tasha ran past to initiate more interaction with Holly. Holly played for a short time around the main gate but then moved down and around back to the cabin den. Lucky charged at Tasha as she ran past pursuing Holly.
Donna and cubsAt 11:00 the Interns tried to call Holly down for enrichment. Holly tried to go but Tasha wanted only to play so they got as far as Ted's den and then ran back to the cabin area. Ted was the only bear for enrichment. After 2 hours and 20 minutes of continual play, Holly and Tasha separated at 11:37 by my choice.
At that point all bears were in while interns unlocked the bunker. Holly and Lucky were then out for the remainder of the day. Lucky stopped briefly to smell Holly as she walked past him but then went about his own business.”
The videos of Holly and Tasha playing are small but too fun to miss.
https://www.bearstudy.org/website/images/stories/images/Updates_2017/20170703_Holly_Tasha.mov
https://www.bearstudy.org/website/images/stories/images/Updates_2017/20170703_Holly_Tasha2.mov
Donna and cubsBetween Mike and I, we can say the sexes of Lily’s cubs. Mike said he definitely saw a female. I definitely saw two males. So we know. Now for names.
A neighbor snapped pictures of 17-year-old Donna and her three cubs. Good to see. I was wondering what was keeping them.
Woodchuck babyIn other years when I’ve wondered where the bears were, the answer was feeding on forest tent caterpillars. Today, I saw several “friendly flies,” the parasitic fly (Sarcophaga aldrichi) that becomes abundant with growing forest tent caterpillar outbreaks. These flies are bigger than house flies, have red eyes, a grayish body, and a checkered abdomen. They are known for landing on people. They don’t bite. Seeing them makes me think there might be more forest tent caterpillars than I thought. Bears love the caterpillars. During an outbreak, I offered a bear a handful of prime hazelnuts and a handful of these caterpillars. The bear went for the caterpillars. The caterpillars will be changing into moths soon, if they haven’t already. A couple days ago, I saw some moths I thought were forest tent caterpillar moths, but I didn’t closely check them out. I suspect the caterpillars are about done, which could explain why Ursula and Donna have now appeared.
The woodchuck babies are growing.
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center