Sunday, January 24, 2010

Lily The Black Bear

Todays post is a little different. Recently I discovered a bear named Lily. She lives in Minnesota and has been closely watched by a team of loving researchers from birth (with her siblings and her mother as well). Lily was pregnant and due to give birth mid-Januray 2010, so these researchers decided to try and get something that has never been gotten before. Footage of a wild bear giving birth. Not only that, they streamed it live over the internet for the world to see. On Januray 11th the researchers installed a camera outside her den, looking in, while Lily was out collecting nesting supplies. This camera is infrared, creates no light, but we can see everything without interrupting Lily at all. People had been watching for days, commenting on websites and facebook. Guessing when the pregnancy would take place, how many cubs, and if she'd be a good mum. I read about Lily throughout the day, read researchers notes and it was the general theory that the birth would happen within 24 hours. So I decided that this was something I couldn't miss. I gathered snacks, liquids, a TV remote, two snoring kitties and a snoring puppy and settled in for a LONG night.

There were contractions. There were grunts. There was a LOT of movement around that little squishy den. But then, at 4.30am my time came the squawks of a new born black bear cub. Lily's keeping her very close to her so the only image of the cub so far as been a few leg shots, but in time we'll see the cub more. Although there's been some talk of her still having contractions, it looks like it's over for Lily and she just has the one little bub to take care of. For being a first time mother, I don't think she minds that much.

I managed to get some pretty good shots of Lily during her labour, and I'm sure I'll get some of the cub when he decides to show his little face.

Lily as a cub herself

Lily all growed up, digging her den.

Lily's den

All hidden away

Lily's paw and nose

Lily trying to get comfortable

Still not comfy...

Not yet...

Hmph..

Getting sleepy...

Very sleepy...

ARGH! Contractions! (she's on her head with her butt in the air)

Help me!!

Lick, lick, lick.

There were more than 50,000 viewers at the time Lily gave birth. The footage was being shown to school children, in faming living rooms, all across the world. I feel very privileged to have been a part of such a monumental event in the world of animal conservation. So much has been learned from Lily, and there's still countless more things to be learned. The researchers are doing a wonderful job, and I am so grateful to them for sharing this with the world.

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