Lily won another heart today
Lily won another heart today
April 13, 2010 – 5:56 PM CDT
Lily won another heart today. Twenty-three years ago, Jeremy Cleveland was attacked by a bear—a predatory bear trying to kill him. His son James saved his life. It was the only experience either of them had had with a bear until today.
James grew up with a fear of large animals after being attacked by a German shepherd, kicked by a horse, and fighting off the predatory bear. Lily turned that around today when Lynn introduced Jeremy and James to her and Hope. Jeremy said it was a unique experience that changed his perception of bears. For 23 years, he couldn’t imagine doing what he did today. He said the change he felt could not have been achieved with pictures or words. He learned directly from Lily, and he can’t wait to walk with her again. Lily’s heart rate was 81—calm, considering the windy day and the extra people with Lynn.
Hope did her part to win hearts, too. She was cute and playful with Lily. In a moment of courage, Hope ran toward Lynn in a cub version of a bluff charge, and then stopped and sniffed his fingers, lightly brushing them with her nose. First contact.
Video of Lily and Hope playing today can be seen at http://www.bear.org/website/lily-a-hope/den-cam-video-clips.html.
The GPS we put on Juliet yesterday gave us a few odd readings then nothing. Today we went back to swap it for another that seems to be performing well. Juliet and her cubs are still in their den.
Last night we caught sight of Shadow and her 2 male yearlings in a power corridor. One of the yearlings climbed about 12 feet up a utility pole to bite it, and then later climbed again to rub the top of his head on the same area.
Eagles and turkey vultures are migrating through. Today five eagles and a couple turkey vultures joined a bunch of ravens feeding on beaver carcasses a trapper placed in a field.
More birthday cards have arrived, and Lynn will enjoy reading them tonight.
Thank you so much for this past week.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, North American Bear Center