Wednesday, April 13, 2011

A Sad Morning for Lily The North American Black Bear and Her Fans

Lily
The North American Black Bear
and
the littlest cub
Jason
April 9, 2011

and yesterday
Little Jason
died April 12, 2011
out there near that wonderful
training tree that they went to together
after leaving the den;
Jason, just a wee cub
who appeared to have
what we humans would call
"failure to thrive".


A darling little one
He Was
with a little sister named
FAITH
Little Jason was the smallest of the two
born to
our Lily,
this winter
in a den
that the world has watched
along with our other miracle
Lily's other cub, now a yearling
HOPE.
OH MY
they were quite something to behold
and to watch and hear in that den;
the cries were almost human
as they expressed their desires
for time for food,
time for more warmth, less warmth,
time to explore a bit
or to turn over
or
for some attention from big sister
HOPE.
Fears were expressed in the beginning of how
would an inter-generational denning
work
with Lily giving birth with Hope in the den?
Would she think this a threat and want or do harm
to these babies
or
would she view them as new play toys
or
would she try to "mother them"
or
be a sterling example of
HOPE and love!
Well as it turns out
HOPE
just loved her little brother and sister
but
she too loved to nurse
on Lily
and then to make those sounds
that were oh so much like that of
"helicopter HOPE"
while the littles just purred and made their own distinct
sounds as well.
Thousands clicked on the live web cam.
And as the warm weather came
out there in Ely MN
Lily meandered outside of the den
with
HOPE on her heels
only to discover the PVC pipe holding the microphone
and proceeded to gnaw on it
to lick the lens of the camera
and
otherwise
get Dr Rogers on the snowmobile
to make some adjustments.
As he arrived we all watched in wonder
as Lily lumbered out of the den,
followed by HOPE to the familiar sound of
"IT'S ME BEAR, DON'T WORRY, IT'S ME"
and
don't ya just know,
they both wandered over to give
their human friend a sniff and lick of loving!
Well of course they were also hoping for some
nuts (filberts) or whatever he happened to have in his trusty pockets. Even HOPE was not a skittish yearling but recognized he was the voice and the beard that her Mom had said was the one to trust.
As we all watched from the computer,
we witnessed the
little ones as they waddled out of the den
Faith and Jason
making their debut
a bit unsteady
but ever so brave as well.
I'm thinking that HOPE
had been telling them all about
"It's me and the potential of nuts and grapes"
and the famous
"It's me Bear" that they would at some point be hearing
when the snows made it possible.
So
next thing you know
they both made their way out of the den,
each coming right toward
Dr Lynn Rogers
on none other than St Patricks Day
and oh one can only imagine his sheer delight
of that gift
as he got down on the ground with that camera of his
and while talking softly
just clicked away.
Lily would make a few come close moments
but after her initial close encounter to him
it appeared she did that to let him know,
"Listen now, I am trusting you with my kids here doc,
do not betray the trust ok"
haha
From time to time
Lily would wander near by,
HOPE would try to crawl over the newly propped PCP
pipe and at one time snuck quickly and tried to make off with a bag of grapes that were laying down on the ground.

BUT
the most remarkable thing was when Faith and Jason
just walked right up to Dr Rogers as he lay near the den waiting.
and then...
He reached down and picked on of them up!
OH my goodness what a  moment that was
Lily was watching,
but did nothing
a sure sign of complete trust.
As Dr Rogers sat the little one down after speaking and guesstimating the weight
I believe the other wanted their time as well.
so with a skilled and gentle hand
the next little cub was up close to his beard
being loved on and touched
by skilled but gentle hands
and HOPE was watching closely
(I'm thinking she was wondering how to reclaim the grapes that he took back myself)
more than trying to protect the babe!
Just as gently he sat the little one down on the ground
as Lily came over to let Dr Rogers know
this was enough,
introductions had been made
and
now it was enough of all of this now!
What an amazing site to behold indeed.
As Dr Rogers finished with the cam for the live
viewing in the den
we heard him say
"thank you bears"
and of course the fans thought that just the greatest thing ever.

for updates, and for information and videos.

It is sad that little Jason has died
there at the base of that lovely tree
but
many felt that he was weak, having been seen having trouble keeping up with Faith as they left the den
some wondering if it was too soon for Lily to take the cubs and leave.
BUT
seems Lily knew what she was doing as 24 hours later the den was soaking wet
since the snow out there has melted
and water now has taken place of what was once dry bedding
spring is making its entrance.
Nature is cruel at times,
its survival of the fittest in many instances
and
I think HOPE tried her best to give Jason strength
as she often would put him in her mouth
and carry him
other times it seemed
as though
she had him in her mouth
breathing her very life breath into him
to give him some added energy
and strength
from his big sister with such bear spirit.
The Creator makes no mistakes out there in the woods
of beauty,
and
perhaps little Jason was just too fragile
too little for the journey of spring
and
discovery
that is ahead for the bears now,
he was able to close his little eyes and sleep
knowing he was under the watchful eyes
of the
Bear spirits
and
the Bear Researchers who
made the decision to not intervene
and
who's
State License tied their hands anyways
out there in Ely MN.
As painful as it is to do nothing
sometimes the kindest thing
to do
is to just
BE
and to care
enough to stand by.

As I see it this morning
the only thing they could have done even better
is to have used that cell phone of theirs
and
have kept their ADMINS
and fans
updated
so that everyone could have been on the same page
in their grief, their sadness
so that their would have not have to be shock or
reactions many hours later
or today
when folks are just about to read about it.
That way
all would have had to process the information at the same
time and not have to play catch up.

But
people don't know what they don't know
and
hindsight continues to be 20/20.

I can only hope that the ADMINS and MODS
are not the brunt of the hurt/angst/frustration
of
hearing that the baby cub Jason
could not survive
in the wild.
Interesting how this goes with thoughts of the week
life can be like a
firefly in the night
so very fragile,
so very important
that we hold on to what and those that are important
while letting go of that which is not
along with opinions of attitudes
and ideas of which we have no control
or rumors or things
that can attempt to ruin a good day.
It can be gone or taken away
in a snap
>>

We Need Faith

this is
FAITH (Jason's twin sis)
notice those paws and nails and those eyes!
HOld tight Faith
hold on friends
to
HOPE and FAITH
today
and all days
during great times of sadness, joys
and confusing times as well.
Lean in to others
Stand tall
within
The Universal oneness that is The Creator
within
knowing
that
together we are strong
even during times of wonder, times of pain
and confusion
we are at our best
when we remain
kind and compassionate
and
Understanding to all.
STOMP
><

The fire is burning with sage of healing, hope, kindness and compassion on the winds to all who gather here.
Blessings to each of you.
Little Jason the North American Black Bear is now joined with so many, with spirits to welcome him home to a vast wonderful play land of trees and woods and tumbles.

Walk in beauty
honor and cherish all
DRSES
author of Healing Heartaches

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

So sorry the little bear Jason died. Nature is amazing in good and bad ways. Short little life for a beautiful little creature. Hoping for a safe and healthy spring for Lilly, Hope and Faith and all the other bears that are a part of the research in Ely.
On a happier note, good to have Chris back with us after her long trip up north. Mid week already... time flies. Thanks for the pictures doc, always look to you for these important updates on the bears.
Best to all who gather here.

Anonymous said...

We were given the gift of Jason's life from Lily. We have joyfully shared their experiences in the wild. Nature is so wonderful, yet so foreboding. Peaceful passage to this sweet little cub that captured our hearts.

Irene M said...

Oh, so, sorry to hear about the loss of little sweet Jason. Bear Angel in Heaven.
Hope all is well in your world.
I am still flying high on vacation.
Take care, Irene

Anonymous said...

helloooo.
I'm also sad to hear of Baby Jason and his
passing.. nature has it's ways of working the world, and all your wise words are so very true..
" everything happens for a reason "...
really do dislike that epression although it is
quite suitable and valid to many circumstances.
So, for me, day off, big smile here,
plans to do " nothing " and enjoy every second.
Perhaps a poolside visit, or maybe even a
sunset view from Honeymoon..
wishing all a happier heart day,
prayers for Lily and her babes...
hugging my angels, sign me ♥
A.

Cindy C said...

I am so sad

glob said...

your posting is very heart warming, but when one can save a bear one year and not the next does not sit well in my heart, Little Jason had the chance to live under the same hands that choose to save Little Hope last year, and those hands did nothing, RIP little guy,

chris said...

OMG-I think the creator knew what He/She was doing. Had little Jason survived a bit longer he more than likely would have been attacked by another animal and suffered. Maybe by letting him go 'asleep' now-all of us who have watched from afar in our Urban homes have a better understanding of what real life can be. Beautiful and cruel at the same time. I am so proud to have seen the work that the researchers are doing. RIP little guy-talk to ya later!

Salazarluoq said...

your posting is very heart warming, but when one can save a bear one year and not the next does not sit well in my heart, Little Jason had the chance to live under the same hands that choose to save Little Hope last year, and those hands did nothing, RIP little guy,