Tasha at the North American Bear Center
Around the WRI, bears continue to gather as we move past mating season and into summer foraging. This is the time of year when local bears transition from ant brood into berries. If berries are not abundant, they continue to focus on ant brood and tender vegetation. We’ll see what this year holds.
We were sad to hear of the passing of Maureen O’Brien due to covid. Many people have good memories of this lady who used her artistic talent to do so much good for schools and the Bear Center. I remember when she was finishing up her second mural, the one in the Ecology Hall, and was planning a surprise I didn’t know of at the time. She found out from Judy Thon what kind of hat and coat I wear and put me in the mural about 4 inches high in the winter section, telling Judy that she would paint over it if I really didn’t want to be in it. The tiny drawing of a person in a red coat in the distance was so hard to notice that there was no way I’d object, and I felt good toward her for the token inclusion. She was like that. I will always think of her when I see it. Thank you, Maureen.
We were also sad to hear that 11-year-old Star’s cub named Haley who was doing so well after I moved her off the highway apparently didn’t make it. There is no proof, but what I strongly suspect is that what happened to her is the same thing that happened between Lily and Hope. With Star’s litter down to one, little Haley couldn’t nurse enough to prevent Star from ovulating. Eight days ago, Star showed up with a male with Haley nowhere to be seen. Today, Star was alone and likely on her way to another litter in January.
Sharon Herrell's Weekly Bear News was published this morning at 10:00am as it will be every Monday when the bears are not hibernating. To read this week's news, click here!
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center