On January 22, 2010, Lily gave birth to Hope and began showing us how black bears live. On September 16, 2011, a hunter killed Hope despite the best efforts of so many of us to protect her.
Lily, Hope and Faith
Today, a Lily Fan wrote that she remembered Hope “with joy and sadness . . . and many smiles and tears. I continue to grieve the loss of that precious bear, but I am incredibly grateful for the beautiful world of bears that she and Lily opened up for me. HOPE FOREVER!”
Hope not wanting to be collared -
8/16/11 by Jackie RunionsAnother Lily Fan wrote, “Many dreams were broken into pieces today six years ago. Tears and more tears were shed. We felt helpless, angry, and heartbroken; but we stood up and kept walking. We will never forget Hope. She is alive in our hearts forever. Thank you for the chance to know Hope.”
Back at that time, Olatz from Spain put together this nice tribute to Hope
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GIl_XcvDso
Hope brought together so many of us and changed countless minds about bears around the world. Because of them, other bears will live. They will never be forgotten. With those bears in mind, I soon will be applying for a Den Cam Permit to further spread Lily’s message from a den she has visited repeatedly in recent days.
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center