For the first time this year, Lily was spotted in person with her three cubs. I got a call and raced to the spot but missed her by five minutes I was told. Still, it was exciting. It is amazing that this bear who knows where to find diversionary food in bad food years has not been seen until now in this year of abundant wild food that she evidently prefers to such an extent. I’m sure we’ll have more on her soon. I would like to analyze her droppings to see what she is now eating with wild sarsaparilla on the wane and hazelnuts probably not as abundant as it appeared they would be earlier.
Eli taken a few days after leaving their den in 2013
On a sad note, we have sleuthed out who a big male bear was that was killed by a car on Highway 169 on June 6. It was 9-year-old Eli who many of you saw born to Lily at about 1 AM on January 12, 2013. He and his sister Ellie were the stars of this fun video: Beary Go Round
His loss is a loss to all who knew him. He was a trusting bear who was never a problem to anyone. The picture is of him as a handsome yearling on May 23, 2014, looking a lot like his mother with his light-colored muzzle. When he was seen this spring before June 6, he had many scars from mating battles. I hope he sired a lot of offspring who might have his gentle personality.
Thank you for all you do,
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center