The dug den
Update October 24, 2010 – 5:15 PM CDT
Now that Braveheart is snug in a den (see last night's update), let's look at how she got there.
Braveheart visited at least 3 dens in the 5 weeks leading up to her final choice. Today, we checked on the dug den she repeatedly visited this past month. There was no sign it had been used this fall. The neatly packed-down bedding from its previous occupant had not been dug out. There were a few fresh leaves in the den, but they appeared to have recently blown in. It looked like a great den to us, but Braveheart apparently didn’t get serious enough about it to rake bedding into it (see photo).
Braveheart did seem a bit more serious about the rock den we found her in on October 16, as evidenced by the huge pile of leaves she had raked in. But, after only a few days there, she traveled a 6-mile circuitous route to her present den in the remote cedar swamp. It’s hard to know what goes on in the mind of a bear.
Caught this picture of a snowshoe hare near the den. Lots of snowshoe hare sign of various ages in the area.
Tonight the Bear Center staff is having a get-together – thus the early (and short) update. We’re told there are some surprises in store. Should be a fun time. And, if your ears are burning this evening, you will know why. How could we help but sing the praises of the Lily and Hope fans?
Again, thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center