Herbie and Fern

[BarbaraRose]

Here are Jewel's (the MN research bear) two cubs, Herbie and Fern. Their eyes just opened several days ago. They are precious! They should be leaving the den with Mom pretty soon!

[Nasoosie]

Beautiful pic of those litle babies, Barbie! I've been watching the live cam and seeing them play with each other when their mom, Jewel, steps outside the den now and then. I do hope their den stays dry and secure for as long as possible, however, as those two can barely walk yet, let alone follow their mom around. It's been a real journey watching the life histories of black bears via this wonderful site and the staff doing the studies. It is still a heartbreak for me, and millions of others, that Hope, our first-born bear cub we could watch from birth to her untimely death from a bullet, was killed last fall. Nobody's fault, nobody to blame, everything according to the rules, as Hope would never keep a collar on to desginate her as a study bear. I have learned so much from the bear site and the staff there.

[BarbaraRose]

Soos, I agree. It is very fascinating learning about bears from these researchers and their study bears. I find it amazing that these bears are all so calm and accomodating to the researchers and yet act like the wild bears they are, when strange people approach them.

I just read somewhere about how bears give birth while sleeping and don't wake up until spring. We now know that is SO not true!

I miss Hope too. What a sad day that was! And losing little Jason too. Hopefully, no more tragedies this year.