Lily and Hope - The Black Bear and Cub

I'm away from the internet for the weekend, and I come back to find that Lily has left Hope, they have been separated now for 49 hours i'm heartbroken!! Hope needs her Mummy. They are hoping Lily will find her, but they really don't know what's happening.

Update May 22, 2010 – 8:07 PM CDTShare
Yesterday at 02:38
Trying to Understand Lily, Looking for Hope


Lily cautiously approaching - May 22, 2010
We spent the night and day trying to understand Lily and looking for Hope. At first, we watched the computer screen in disbelief as Lily moved a couple miles away. What was in her mind? She had come down from the big red pine where Hope was sleeping in the uppermost branches. She carefully sniffed deep bear tracks one after another. What information did she get from them? She mostly ignored the observer, as usual. Then, she calmly walked away as we have seen many times before. With Hope asleep, Lily often forages in the area, alert for any cry from the waking cub, which would bring her immediate return. The observer left but was mildly surprised by how faint the telemetry signal had become. Back at the Research Center, the computer showed she had eventually put her travel in high gear and was nearly 2 miles away. We watched the screen for her next move. She turned south instead of coming back east. About 11:30 PM, Lily settled down a couple miles from the red pine. We wondered if Hope had miraculously awakened and tracked down her mother. A check around midnight showed that Hope was no longer in the tree, but rustling nearby suggested she was still in the vicinity.

About 6 AM, Lily stirred. Surely she would quickly return now with her breasts full of milk. It had been over 12 hours since she had nursed Hope. She turned south and spent the day traveling and foraging up to 4 miles away from the red pine where she had left Hope. We had many questions. Had she become too hungry after spending day after day in areas that seemed too small to provide her needs—especially her extra needs with the drain of lactation? That didn’t seem to be the answer because she was about a half mile from a feeding station when she left the red pine. She could have easily gone there, but she didn’t. She hasn’t visited a house, bird feeder, garbage can, or feeding station all spring.

Could it be that little Hope, a single cub, wasn’t drinking enough to prevent estrus? Was she coming into heat without our noticing? Were the tracks she smelled from a male? Had she followed his scent? There are a number of records of mothers with only one cub breeding and spending the next year with a mixed age litter of one yearling and several cubs of the year. It was worth checking out. We saw on the computer that she was approaching a forest road where she would be accessible. We intercepted her, gave her a handful of nuts, and checked her out. She showed little or no swelling of the genitalia, her breasts were swollen with milk which was easily expressed, and her heart rate was a calm 75 per minute. She continued her travels.

At 4:47 PM, she stopped and rested for a couple hours. When she awoke around 6:50 PM, her initial movement was south, away from the red pine. She could make it back the three and a quarter miles to the red pine in a couple hours if she chose.

Another question is how common it is for a mother to be gone from her cub or cubs over 24 hours. This is the first year we have extensively used GPS technology to provide this level of detail about bear movements. Our old technology would not have revealed this. GPS alone, without the ability to observe the bears, would not have revealed this. Is our worry purely a result of learning new aspects of mother/cub relations? Have we witnessed the reason why people sometimes pick up cubs they think are abandoned when they really were not? Or has Hope really been abandoned?

We spent a good part of the day listening for Hope’s cries along the route Lily took. We checked places Hope had been in case she figured out how to return the two miles to where she had spent her life so far. Not a sound.

We check the computer and cell phone for the latest in Lily’s movements, looking for her to turn north and hurry back to the red pine or vicinity.

We are at our wits end. All we can do as biologists is observe and report. We think of things in human terms and try to see things from the bears’ points of view based on our decades of experience. But what makes human sense might not make bear sense. We can only watch and wait and hope for an end we can understand.

We will post a video at http://www.bear.org/website/lily-a-hope/den-cam-video-clips.html of our visit with Lily today.

Thank you for your continued support of our research and educational efforts.

Update May 23, 2010 – 9:10 PM CDTShare
Today at 03:29
A Roller Coaster

Today was an emotional roller coaster, and it’s not over yet.


Lily sniffing a tree marked by another bear
At 7:10 AM, Lily gave us optimism when she turned north and moved 1.5 miles to the corner of the lake she’d have to go around to reach the tree where she left Hope. She covered 0.55 miles per hour, swimming a lake and constantly investigating smells. She produced a big green vegetation scat that showed she’s been foraging a lot, but she didn’t forage most of the way back today. She was reading the latest news of who’s been in her territory. When she got to the corner of the lake, she didn’t turn. She kept smelling tracks, branch tips, and trees rubbed by bears. She continued north another mile, checking bear sign.

Sue was heroic in her success in sticking with Lily over a mile—some in the rain—as Lily moved through dense underbrush, blowdowns, and wetlands. A mile doesn’t sound like much until one sees that it’s climbing over, ducking under, and squeezing through while trying not to get poked in the eye or slip on wet logs, rocks, and moss—all the while keeping the bear within sight. Many people who’ve tried this—men and women—have failed. Sue was determined to document what Lily was doing.

Meanwhile, a neighborhood watch was forming for Hope. People will keep an eye out for her, but we are keeping secret the location where they separated so Hope wouldn’t get scared out if she is still there.

We don’t know what to think.

Is this normal? We haven’t had an opportunity to monitor bears in this detail before. We’ve seen cubs separated from their mothers for over a day with no problem. Someone sent an encouraging email about cubs separated from their mother for 4 days with no problem.

Improved technology and methodology is allowing us to witness new things. Separations like this might be normal. But then again, we might be documenting what happens when some cubs disappear. In the past, we’ve documented losses due to predation, falls from trees, miscellaneous accidents, sickness, and starvation. We continue to learn—now with you learning along with us.

Why might a mother abandon a cub? Some have suggested that a mother might give up one cub to mate and produce a litter of three. That doesn’t seem to be the case here. Lily is showing no sign of estrus.

Another possibility is that Lily had to go off and forage because she is lacking a nutrient. She spent this spring in such small areas up until the last couple days that it’s hard to believe she got enough food. While other bears were foraging all over their territories, Lily spent most days in an area 50 to 100 yards in diameter. Did she finally have to get out and forage for her health and the health of her cub, knowing that the cub can survive a few days until she returns ready to make good milk?

Another possibility is that defending her territory is so important to her lifelong reproductive success that she might risk a cub to preserve her territory. When she came down from the red pine, she was very interested in the bear tracks near the base. Immediately after that, she walked away. Eventually she ran, according to the spacing of her GPS points. Was she chasing an intruder? Was she running from an intruder? She then proceeded to check much of her territory. Today, when we expected her to turn the corner of the lake toward the red pine, she instead went straight and checked out fresh bear scat and a big tree that had freshly been used. Such trees are typically used by mothers with cubs. She has to let invading bears know they are unwelcome if she’s to preserve her territory for the sake of this and future cubs.

Lily ended the day with a roller coaster high. About 8 o’clock, as we were writing this, her GPS signals showed her heading for the red pine. We drove to the vicinity, and she beat us there. We got a glimpse of her searching alone. Is it a coincidence that her mother June left her first litter, Pete and George, in that same location when June made a 4-hour foray up to two and a half miles away, presumably to mark her territory while mostly tied down with cubs.

It seems impossible that Lily could be gone for over 49 hours and still find Hope, but bears continue to amaze us. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.

In other news, the male that was wary of June while following her is out of the picture. June is back with old Harry again. Braveheart is alone. Cal is exploring his distant area as if he will stay awhile. This might be his future mating range. This bear that grew up trusting people and that allows us to radio-collar him without tranquilizers is avoiding houses and sticking to some of the wildest habitat in northeastern Minnesota. Many people would not have expected that. The data keep coming in. Let’s cross our fingers for Hope.

I am stunned and horrified, poor little Hope. What on earth has happened? I know nothing about bears so am fascinated by the theories they are putting forward.

What a shock after all the sweet videos of them playing together. I really do hope that they are united soon.

Thanks for updating us Anne-Marie.

Lai

I do have to admit to shedding a few tears on reading that this morning. I hope and pray she's alright. I wonder if they (Lynne and Sue) find her, and Lily doesn't, will they intervene? I don't suppose they can though. So sad!!

Generally speaking you can't interfere with nature - but there are occasions when you can. I hope that they will find each other, it doesn't bear thinking about. Just when we thought everything was going so well for Lily and Hope.

Lai

Thanks for posting those updates AM. My heart is in my mouth, I pray they have good news soon.

SM

This sounds like terrible news, we can only keep our fingers X that Lilly finds Hope again. After all she's been through giving birth , and fetching her so far along the path of life, it would be awfull if it all went wrong now
WS & Mrs S

Just too sad. Poor little Hope!! I'm still praying she'll find her, but part of me feels it's too late. Oh the tears

Update May 24, 2010 – 5:34 PM CDTShare
 Today at 03:13
Searching for Hope


Lily intently sniffs where another bear rubbed - May 23, 2010
Lily searched for Hope a couple hours last evening without success. The rain yesterday might have washed away too much scent for Lily to track her. Now, with torrential rain overnight, Lily seems to have given up. She is cruising and foraging up to ¾ of a mile away, her breasts hard with milk. It is nearly 3 days since the two were together.


Lily on the move - May 23, 2010
We spent today looking expectantly up trees and scanning the forest floor for a dark shape. Nothing. We started at the red pine and circled outward. A hundred yards away is a well traveled dirt road—the road where Sue parked that first night when she couldn’t sleep and drove to the spot to listen for any cry. Across that road is where Sue heard rustling and claws on bark that night.

That side of the road is all private land with driveways to cabins on the lake. Property owners we talked with knew the Lily and Hope story and had not seen or heard anything. They gave us permission to search. We methodically searched between the road and the lake. We searched the area where we saw Lily searching last night—and beyond. The forest floor there is mostly conifer needles with no plants, so it was easy to scan for a dark shape.

We talked to people who walk their dogs on the road. They haven’t seen or heard anything.

Hope could still be alive, but seeing Lily give up and not return to the spot has us thinking the worst. Did she find Hope dead last night? Was there not enough scent for her to track Hope? Did the ill-timed rain kill Lily’s chances of finding her? In our waking hours overnight, like you, we felt joy that the morning would bring good news. The emotional roller-coaster continues. Now, we mainly want closure.

We’re also thinking about what might happen next. We remember when RC lost her first cub—also a single, also in May. She mated that same year. Her mating was unusual in that males continued to follow her into August—not just in May or June as is usual here. She produced 3 cubs.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, North American Bear Center

Poor Hope and poor Lily - i wonder what went wrong and why that happened. Nature is sometimes so hard to understand.

Thanks for updating us Anne-Marie. It must be so tough for Sue and Lynn not knowing what has happened. I suppose it is unrealistic to think Hope may be found by Lily but miracles do happen.

Lai

That is so sad. I truly hope mother and cub are reunited, but if Lyn is talking about closure they themselves must feel it is too late.

SM

It really does'nt look good does it. It really is so sad
WS

I just can't believe it, Lily has been such a fantastic mum its so shocking that she just left Hope, and then not be able to find her! ok, must not start crying at work!!

Oh I don't believe this, I just came to have a look and catch up on the clips that had been posted about Lily and Hope and was hit with this, I am stunned and my heart has just sunk. After all Lily and Hope have been through and the joy of us all watching the birth and following them so avidly, it's just devastating.
It doesn't sound good but as Doogs say's until there is definate news that Hope has gone, I continue to pray she is alive and Lily finds her.
I don't really know what to say, it's just so upsetting but thank you Anne-Marie for the updates.

littlewid-x-

Well we start the day with a bit of 'hope'

Update May 25, 2010 – 7:50 PM CDTShare
Today at 03:19
There is Hope!

The emotional roller coaster continues. Heartbreak is turning into hope. After a day of dealing with our emotions while telling many TV and newspaper reporters that we were making one last attempt to find her, we got a call while standing at the red pine. A neighbor had spotted Hope running out of their yard not 200 yards away from where we were. We hurried over.


Food left at the base of a white pine for Hope - May 25, 2010
Hope was gone. We searched for a couple hours in the direction she went. We prepared a pan of diluted sweetened condensed milk with ground up pecans and put it the last place she was seen.

A few calls later, and a town official was heading over to put up a trail camera by the food.

We made calls to law enforcement and the fire department for an infra-red heat detection device to try to locate Hope in treetops against the night sky after it gets dark. At first we were unsuccessful, but the call was taken up by Beth Jett, anchorperson for Fox 21 News. Shortly, we got a call from Captain Tom Crossman of the St Louis County Rescue Squad that one of his men would shuttle a unit to us for the search tonight.

As soon as we finish writing this, we are heading out to search once again before it gets too dark.

Our goal is to find Hope and keep her alive in the forest in hopes Lily will reunite with her. Lily is currently 4 miles away, covering ground and maintaining her territory, but she will be back.

Thank you so much for your tremendous support the last few days. We are all pulling together for Hope. We were pretty down about it here. Some followers of the Lily and Hope saga knew better than us that she was still alive. As it turned out, she is not only alive but vigorous. The person who saw her said she ran away. Before all this, she was getting so strong she could climb as fast as a squirrel and run like a rabbit. As Kathy Allworth said, “She’s too sassy and spunky to be dead this quick.” Right on, Kathy.

Status update from Facebook!!

Lily the Black BearMay 26, 2010 - 12:19 AM
No luck tonight finding Hope with the IR night-vision equipment. However, it's on loan to us for a bit and we'll try again. Our thanks to Mark Zimmerman of the St Louis County Rescue! Lots of activity in the area today with our searching so we feel it's best to let things quiet down. We don't scare her away from the area. We're hoping for some action on the trail camera

I'm keeping everything crossed they find her. I just wish I could get out there and help!!

Oh please let them find her Mrs S was absolutely devastated when I told her what has happened. I kept it from her untill yesterday, hopeing there would be some good news. She could'nt stop thinking about her all day. At least this is something to hang on to. Thanks for the updates Guys. I need to phone Mrs S at work and tell her the news
WS

Thanks for the updates Anne-Marie - what a rollercoaster this has been. All we can do is keep everything crossed that they can find Hope, i'm just so relieved that she is still alive, and re-unite her with Lily.

Whew - we need more news, the waiting is awful.

Lai

I've been wanting to look at this post ever since I got in from work but hadn't dared too, just incase it wasn't good news as I had a feeling you would be keeping us up to date Anne-Marie.....and thank goodness you did because the Hope is still there and I like all of you i'm so relieved. Lets just hope and pray that they manage to catch up with Hope and re-unite her with Lily and like you Anne-Marie and others i'm sure, I wished I could get out there to help. Heres hoping they have some good luck overnight.
I'm glad you were able to give Mrs S some good news WS.

littlewid-x-

Facebook update:
Lily the Black BearMay 26, 2010 - 2:19 PM CDT
A check this morning showed nothing had touched the food left at the base of the white pine -- and no pictures on the trail camera. We just returned from checking on Lily. Her mammae are still swollen and hard and she shows no signs of estrus. She's on the move today. Hopefully during her travels she will run into Hope's scent and end this saga for all of us! -- SM22 minutes ago

I'm keeping everything crossed.

I had really hoped that they would have been re-united by now. Thanks for updating us Anne-Marie.

Lai

First thing I do on waking up is check to see if there is any news on lily and hope. And wow tears of joy this morning. She better never leave that cub again!!!

Reunited at last!

It was the most satisfying moment of my 44 years of bear study. When Sue and I got the cub into the little carrier kennel and I saw Sue crying, I could hardly keep from breaking down myself. And then seeing Lily and Hope’s reunion was the most beautiful expression of animal emotion I have ever seen. Hope was bawling very loudly, and Lily was doing her pleasant grunts as Hope latched onto a nipple and Lily half dragged her nearer to the white pine where they had nursed together so many times in April.

Sue is readying video she took of the reunion. It’s late, and we were up half the night last night, so we’ll fill in details tomorrow.

Thank you all so much for pulling together with us as we all went through this emotional roller coaster. The roller coaster effect continued right up to the unexpectedly wonderful end. More on that tomorrow.

While we were in the woods attempting to reunite Lily and Hope we got a call from a homeowner who had a visit from Juliet. More about that tomorrow too!

Thank you for the tremendous outpouring of support today. We can’t wait to meet many of you all at the Lilypad Picnic in a couple months.

—Lynn Rogers, Biologist, North American Bear Center

SM, can you track down the you tube vid and embed it please. I have no clue how you do that. Facebook update;

Lily the Black BearMay 26, 2010 - 11:51 PM CDT
As many of you seem to know already (you are way to quick for me...) the video is up on YouTube and just now up at http://www.bear.org/website/lily-a-hope/den-cam-video-clips.html as well. Sorry it is so dark -- but it was late before we tracked Lily down and lead her to where the cub was. You will recognize Hope's sassy sounds. Enjoy! We are still reeling! --