Holly and Lucky playThe picture says it all. Holly is playing with Lucky out in the open with no tree between them and with full body contact. From their body positions, it looks like Holly was the initiator. I believe we will see a lot of play this year in the open area in front of the Pond Cam, in front of the windows, and in front of the Viewing Deck—like Lucky and Ted used to do many times every day. At the same time, Holly is getting to know Ted. Nobody plays like the young. With Holly’s energy, she might play with each of them. Optimistic.
The 5-minute video clip for tonight is one I don’t quite grasp. It shows interactions, body language, and sounds practically no one has seen. June looks like she means it when she tells Bud “No” to nursing. It was all talk, though, and Bud ended up nursing. It must be Lily in the foreground resting unperturbed by it all. The most likely interpretation of the interactions is that June was not up for nursing—maybe because her metabolism is slowing down for hibernation. Could she be weaning the cubs? What we don’t know is if they continued to nurse the next days and weeks. Sue is cataloguing the video and may be able to answer that eventually. Cal heard Bud making the nursing sound and ambled over. June got up and walked away a short way and then came back briefly before walking off out of sight. What I don’t understand is the continued nursing sound as she walks away and comes back. Who is making the sound and what is he (Cal likely) suckling on. Sometimes cubs suckle each others’ ears or their own paws, but we can’t see what’s happening. Is there a glitch in the sound? Puzzled. Sue, can you remember? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIBzYcagOto
A Lily Fan rightly asked us to post contact information for the legislators so those who have lost our earlier lists can write letters and emails. Another Lily Fan created the 3 lists below for the House, Senate, and Senate Finance Committee (where SF 1303 will be read soon). Also included is a link to the entire Minnesota State Legislature.
http://www.bearstudy.org/website/images/stories/images/Updates_2015/MN_Senate_Members_4-26-15.pdf
Minnesota State Legislature - http://www.leg.state.mn.us/
Your help in this major problem (the Bear Feeding Ban) is much appreciated. The ban would be more devastating to our research and writing than losing our permit and having to remove the collars. The DNR knows that, which is why they are pushing for it in conjunction with their legal fight against us and the Den Cams. We learned that many legislators are not aware that the bill is in conjunction with the DNR’s legal battle against us. The appeal has not gotten much press this last year.
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center
All photos taken today unless otherwise noted.