Wildlife Research Foundation Blog

April 2, 2012 at 9:33am, Lugnut and her two cubs left the den site after a long hibernation.  When we went to retrieve all of the equipment we discovered that the bears had chewed on the infrared light and disabled it, along with a box containing additional equipment.  We are looking forward to the next bear den project and providing you with a close up look at a Wild Black Bear during their hibernation. The Wildlife Research Foundation is a privately funded organization. We desperately need your financial support in order to keep the cameras running. Please Donate Now. Every donation helps.

On March 28, 2012 the Wildlife Research Foundation was able to visit Nell’s den site with her two cubs for the second time. On January 3, 2012 we visited Nell in her den and were able to capture 26 hours of film before she decided to change her den site. On March 24th her new site was located 2 miles from her original den where she raised two cubs.  One male weighed 7.9 lbs.  and one female weighing in at 7.0 lbs..  During the 11 week hibernation Nell entered the den at 216 lbs. and as of March 28, 2012 she weighed in at 156 lbs. Without food or water Nell  lost 60 lbs. while raising her two cubs; one of natures miracles.  The Wildlife Research Foundation is a privately funded organization. We desperately need your financial support in order to keep the cameras running. Please Donate Now. Every donation helps.

We would like to thank Steve Philbrick of Bald Mountain Camps in Oquossoc, Maine for his generous donation.  It is an important role that our supporters, like Steve, are playing in helping our biologists manage our wildlife.  Thank you again for your help in keeping Lugnut’s cameras rolling!

We never know at what time of day the email alert comes in telling us  “Generator Down”.  It could be morning, noon or night.  Last night at 5:45 pm the alert arrived.  Typically the reason for “Generator Down” could be – oil is low, a gas issue or snow on the satellite dish is preventing a signal.  In a perfect scenario this generator is meant to perform for a steady 10-12 days.  This has only happened once since Lugnut had her cubs.  So, once the “Generator Down” alert comes in we have a 12-hour window with a battery back up system until we can get the unit up and running. Travel to the site is a 65-mile trek into the North Maine Woods.  Your donations today help keep the generator up and running until the next “Generator Down” alert comes in.

It has been 17 days since the two cubs where born on January 16, 2012. As you watch the video you will see that the cubs have nearly doubled in size and are starting to grow some fur. It is amazing that Lugnut is able to take such good care of her cubs without a sip of water or anything to eat since late November. A wildlife miracle!! While watching nature at it’s finest, please don’t forget to help us support the wildlife managers with donations.

Thank you North Maine Woods

A big thank you to the North Maine Woods for their generous gift and support of our exciting mission.  Its folks like Al C. and Mike M. of the North Maine Woods that have stepped up and supported us not only by their gracious contribution but also their time and dedication in helping us maintain and move forward with our program.  Again, thank you North Maine Woods for helping us continue to keep Lugnut’s cameras rolling!

Thank you Viking Lumber of Belfast, Maine for your generous donation.

Through companies like Viking Lumber we are able to keep Lugnut’s cameras rolling in  her den.  We are pleased that Viking Lumber has joined us as a supporter in our exciting endeavor in educating people around the world about black bears and the importance of scientific research on wildlife populations.   Thank you again Viking Lumber for your gracious support!