Chloe was again an early riser here. In 2020, 2-year-old Chloe was the first bear to appear—on April 27. In 2021, 3-year-old Chloe came much later because Charley Brown and Lincoln were newborn cubs. Chloe’s mother 22-year-old RC filled in for her as an early riser by coming on April 17 with four yearlings.
This year, Chloe wasn’t the first bear to appear, but she was the second, arriving on April 22 with the two boys. Today’s highlights were Lincoln and Chloe getting on the scale. Lincoln weighed 62 at 3:15 PM and Chloe weighed 180 pounds at 7:26 PM. Yesterday, Charley Brown was 57 pounds at 7:19 PM
Six months ago on October 21,2021 Their weights were Chloe 343, Lincoln 84.5, and Charlie Brown 75.5.
That means Chloe lost 163 pounds (48 percent), Lincoln lost 22.5 pounds (27%), and Charlie Brown lost 18.5 pounds (25%). Some well-fed mothers continue to lactate in the den, and I’m wondering if Chloe’s high weight loss over those 185 days (0.88 pounds per day) was due to that. I’ll see if I can check that when she comes again.
The deer was watching Chloe yesterday and trotted off when she came within 60 feet or so.
At the Bear Center, Holly, the dominant female is showing or re-establishing that by scent-marking near Tasha’s den, charging toward her, and even partially entering her den. "Taught" caught it all in this 5-minute video. I don’t believe there was any real contact, though. We’ll have to watch how this progresses and maybe keep them separated. We’ll see. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi6TOKM7cq8.
Thank you for all you do,
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center