Still holed up
April 25, 2010 – 7:56 PM CDT
While other bears roam, Lily and Hope are sequestered in an out of the way place where they are not likely to encounter traveling bears. We visited Lily there yesterday and found her very wary of any sounds. She hasn’t moved. Meanwhile, her mother June and June’s yearlings traveled over four miles, mostly in upland. That’s where two spring favorites are emerging.
Aster and peavine leaves are in their early succulent stage. This is the time of year people wonder where the bears have gone. These digestible leaves are filled with nutrients, including protein. In a couple weeks, the honeymoon will be over. These tender leaves will be more mature, and the nutrients that are now in a fluid form will be incorporated into the plant structure as cellulose, making the plants less digestible and less nutritious. That’s when the bears must turn to other foods. Sometimes it’s garbage and bird seed. Sometimes it’s ant larvae and pupae. With this warm dry spring, ant reproduction is likely getting a jump start. On the other hand, we’ve never seen such an early spring. We’re watching and learning. The bears will show the way.
We apologize again for the delay in sending the DVD’s. It’s a case of the best laid plans. We are working with the best company to make the highest quality product but the person in charge got sick and communications broke down. Meanwhile, we appreciate your patience. We really are doing the best we can.
Thank you for your contributions. Lynn is still reading your birthday cards and feeling great. There’s too much to say thank you for individually. It comes down the being very thankful for your support and encouragement and wanting to continue doing what we are doing—only better.
More video footage of Lily & Hope from yesterday is posted at http://www.bear.org/website/lily-a-hope/den-cam-video-clips.html.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, North American Bear Center