I have been following Lily the Black Bear since mid January 2010. It has been one roller coaster of a ride that I wouldn't trade for anything! And along the way I have learned so much about black bears in Minnesota and around the world. I also have made a lot of new virtual friends, some now I have even met at the First Annual Lilypad Picnic in Ely, Minnesota. One thing I learned that amazes me about bears....they are having a lot of fun in those north woods! The are very timid, gentle creatures, who love to play. I have always loved bears, but even now so. If you are interested in learning more about black bears and other bears please visit www.bear.org. There is a ton of information to read and a lot of great videos to watch. Then come on over to the Lily the Bear facebook page and make some new friends who all share an interest in the North American Bear Center's three resident bears as well as the research bears we have come to love.
And one more important message. Minnesota black bear hunting season starts Sept. 1, 2010. I am not making any judgment here, but I would ask that hunters please not shoot any of the collared research bears. The will be wearing bright colored ribbons so it would be hard not to notice they are research bears. Dr. Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield will also be out in the Ely area woods walking with these research bears to help protect them. It isn't against the law to shoot a research bear unless a researcher is walking with it. But if you do see a collared and ribboned research bear without a researcher I just ask that you use restraint. There are a lot of bears in the Minnesota forests. Thank you.
