Not worried
June 15, 2010 – 8:07 PM CDT
Last evening, we were with Hope at her feeding station 7:30–8:30 PM. Hope walked off before the food was gone so we left the remaining few ounces of formula and nuts—figuring she would be back later. The trail camera shows Hope returned at 8:54 PM and promptly ‘adjusted’ the camera angle. With the camera off-kilter, we don’t know for sure if Hope finished off the remaining food, but it’s likely.
Just after 10 PM, June appeared at the feeding station. Although the food was likely gone, there was plenty of food scent, plus Lynn, Sue, and Hope scent remaining. The trail cam caught June marking the ground with her feet, and defecating at the base of the red pine. June was only around for a few minutes and it’s likely Hope was in a tree nearby and aware of June’s presence.
This red pine is one that June used as a bed tree with her second litter—the Lily, Cal, and Bud litter. Lily chose this area as part of her own territory shortly after family breakup in 2008. She and Hope used this bed tree extensively earlier this spring and we will learn whether Lily has given up this area to Hope. She certainly has avoided it so far. June mostly avoids the area, but occasionally passes through—so this visit by June is not entirely surprising. Such is the matriarchal society of bears.
About 3 AM, five hours after June’s visit, little Hope ventured back to the feeding site and checked out the scent and scat of June. We don’t know for sure what her reaction was—the trail cams take still images only every minute—but we do know Hope did not return to the feeding site today.
Cautious Hope may keep her distance until she gets extra hungry. Hope is in very good shape so she can go several days without eating if she has to. At this moment (8:02 PM), June is 2.2 miles southwest of Hope, and Lily is 1.6 miles northwest. We’ll see what the trail cams show in the morning. When Hope feels safe enough and hungry enough, we think she’ll be back.
However, we have formulated a plan in case she doesn’t show up overnight. We’ll map the main bed trees in the area so Gordon Buchanan can set up camera ‘traps’ in an effort to locate Hope.
Thank you for your continuing support of our research and educational efforts.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, North American Bear Center