Bear weights, Ted upstages Facebook Live and abundant foods.
Bear weights for this week:
Ted 529 lbs., Lucky 416 lbs., Tasha 312 lbs., Holly 254 lbs.
Ted and Holly both gained 9 pounds this week.
Bear News – May 23, 2022
Bear fact: Black bears are omnivores, even though their taxonomy is considered carnivores. They typically forage for food and will feed on whatever food items are abundant at that time of the year. They are opportunistic and will take advantage of almost any food source when other foods are scarce. This and all Bear Fact information can be found on our website, bear.org. The scarcity of wild foods can be brought on by draughts, fires, spring freezes, etc.
In our enclosure our bears can feast on new succulent clover and grasses, tree buds and catkins in the spring as summer rolls around, they have serviceberry, hazelnut, bunchberry, sarsaparilla, raspberry and dogwood. The plants are all around the enclosure but to ensure they get plenty of nutrients their diets are supplemented. All of the bears, Ted included, are enjoying the new grasses growing on the mound and near the pond. It’s good to see green and no more snow.
Below is some information for our bear’s out of hibernation weights and percentages from 2021-2022.
Ted upstaged Facebook live! It was a nice surprise to see Ted taking over the spotlight on Thursday while Scott, Spencer, and myself tried to do the broadcast. Unknowingly, although I can’t say that for certain, Ted wandered into the frame and stayed. Ted posed on the preaching rock and watched. We knew we were being upstaged by our Ted. It was so good for folks to see him up and enjoying the limelight. After his intentional debut he went to a resting area and napped. Well done, Ted!
We have designated this Tuesday, May 24 a workday. The pond will be drained and cleaned. The bear dens will be cleaned, foods restored in the bins and the hoses placed. The bears will be in their enclosures during this time.
Lucky bear had a good time on the mound. He sat for a while and then went to the cedar tree to mark and rub his neck. Marking is a prime example of him leaving his scent in case Holly is interested. It also helps repel bugs and makes him smell like cedar. I think he needs it after rubbing the dead fish on his head, as he cooled off and played in the pond.
I caught Holly for a moment near the fence line. She has such a beautiful face but rarely puts her ears forward. It’s hard to get a good picture of her but she was tasting the tiny leaves on the chokecherry sapling.
The coy and ever mischievous Tasha seems to enjoy taunting Holly. In fact I have watched her seek out Holly for the purpose of a good chase. While Tasha is in the Haven, Holly will often go into the Haven den and take small cautious steps towards Tasha. At just the right moment Holly rushes Tasha making her run. Holly then marks the trees and Haven to let Tasha know she is still in charge.
I want to thank everyone for the nuts and dried fruits we received this week. The list and items needed are on Amazon Smile. We will keep it up all summer due to our needs and the bears’ usage. Click here for our Amazon Wishlist.
Also, remember the Half-birthday Fundraiser begins on May 29. The pinatas will be delivered to each bear on June 12th @ 10:00am bear time (CST). The bears get very excited when they see the pinatas. As the new interns arrive, we will have them show them off.
Thank you for all you do,
Sr. Bear Keeper, Sharon Herrell
