You set a record!
Update March 18, 2010 – 8:03 PM CDT
Yesterday, you set a new record with $8,184 in donations plus the matching money. We’re still reeling. Thank you all.
Today, Lynn visited Lily and Hope again. Lily decided to rest quietly for awhile after he arrived. Then she came out and was calm as usual despite the wind coming off the frozen lake and blowing her fur. Her heart rate was 108, which is high-normal for an active bear her size. Temperature 50F.
The two pictures show Hope’s fur development and Lily sitting at the den entrance with her usual calm face.
About 5:30 PM CDT, Lily lay on her back in the den and manhandled Hope for a long time. Is this a form of play, part of the bonding process? One of the things we’re watching for is the beginning of play behavior in Hope. We haven’t seen any yet. It’s all she can do to stand and take a step at this point. As she develops strength and coordination, we expect to see a lot of play with Lily and with objects. By that time, they may be out of the den where Hope can more fully develop her mind by exploring, manipulating objects, learning the smells of the forest, etc.
Another package of nuts arrived today. Your orders are coming in, and thank you for the contributions. A new thing will soon be available in the Gift Store—ring tones of Hope nursing you can download for $2.50. Suggestions are coming in for words on a t-shirt, tote bag, mugs, or whatever. One person suggested the picture of little Hope alone posted yesterday with the words “Our Hope.” Another suggestion was to use the picture of the two of them from yesterday and the words “Captivated by Lily, Inspired by Hope.” Another suggestion was “I hibernated with Lily and Hope in 2010.”
Still thinking, and remembering how creative you are.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, North American Bear Center