Lily in her den - Nov 11, 2012 As the Den Cam Team works to acquire the loan of top grade microphones and team member Bill Powers assembles equipment that reflects the latest advances, we further assessed the situation at Lily’s den.
Red pine marking tree - Nov 11, 2012The brush pile she’s denned in is huge—at least 10 feet tall and 25-30 feet in diameter. Fortunately, her bed is not in the middle but closer to one side. We were able to snap this picture through the opening where we will likely install the den cam. If so, we will all become very familiar with this view!
Closeup of bear bites on red pine - Nov 11, 2012Occasionally, bears will abandon their dens during the deer hunt due to disturbance. Lily’s den is well hidden and well protected. We feel confident she will stay put. The rifle deer season ends next weekend.
Bear bites on treated post - Nov 11, 2012While we were out and about, we snapped pictures of roadside examples of bear sign. One is a big red pine marking tree with multiple bites about 6 feet up. Two others are posts that are not as tall and have bite marks lower.
Well-bitten cedar sign post - Nov 11, 2012For some reason, bears pass up trees that are tall enough for their usual marking routines in favor of cedar and treated posts. The last example is a juneberry bush that a bear broke down during berry season. They are dainty feeders but not so careful when it comes to getting at the food!
Juneberry bush broken down by bears feeding - Nov 11, 2012The GiveMN page is looking good with a nice video of the Bear Center, the pond, and a frolicking Lucky that Donna Andrews took last year. We thank Lily Fans for putting the page together to help raise money for the Hope Learning Center on November 15—GiveMN’s day of giving. The page tells more at http://givemn.razoo.com/story/Bears.
Can't get to a computer on November 15th? Make your secure donation now through Give to the Max Day and your gift will be deducted on Nov. 15. Schedule your Nov. 15 gift here. Be sure to click on the blue link that says "schedule one for Give to the Max Day 2012" as shown here. A big thank you to all who have donated early.
Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center