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VIDEO: Free At Last, Canadian Grizzly Cub Tracking Begins
2011/06/27 ByOn Saturday, the International Fund for Animal Welfare joined partners Northern Lights Wildlife Society (NLWS) and the BC Ministry of Environment to release four rehabilitated orphan grizzly bears in Canada.
This was our third grizzly release but by far our most complex one. It involved double the numbers of bears, a much longer trans-location and many logistical challenges along the way.
Watch bear expert Dr. John Beecham talk about this particular move and see some of the logistical challenges the team faced.
VIDEO: Free At Last, Canadian Grizzly Cub Tracking Begins
2011/06/27 By Comments (41)
On Saturday, the International Fund for Animal Welfare joined partners Northern Lights Wildlife Society (NLWS) and the BC Ministry of Environment to release four rehabilitated orphan grizzly bears in Canada.This was our third grizzly release but by far our most complex one. It involved double the numbers of bears, a much longer trans-location and many logistical challenges along the way.
Watch bear expert Dr. John Beecham talk about this particular move and see some of the logistical challenges the team faced.
As you read in previous blog posts, the four bears: Lori, Dean, Jason, Drew had arrived to the NLWS shelter several months ago needing immediate care to survive their traumatic ordeal. Looking at them now, it’s easy to forget their troubled past.
“They are huge!” exclaimed our bear expert Dr. John Beecham. John has seen his share of bears in the past 35 years. He has traveled to all corners of the world to work in bear-human conflict issues and bear rehabilitation projects.
One look was all he needed to know that the bears looked great. “Yes they are big, not fat, just very big, about two or three times as much as their wild counterparts, but that’s not a bad thing” he said.
Then he explained in detail how bears grow faster when they have a constant food supply while under captivity but once they are released those extra reserves will give them a head start as they learn how to be wild again. There will be less pressure to get in optimal shape ahead of months of hibernation and, gradually after two or three years, they will likely be even in size and weight to wild grizzlies.
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| Dr. John Beecham with one of the tranquilized Canadian grizzly cubs. |
The move was full of challenges, we had unpredictable weather, a 16-hour transport by land and a final air journey to the release site – all along having the responsibility of four very stressed-out 300+lb bears.
Not surprisingly, the highlight of the operation was the last push to freedom, a dramatic airlift and release of the bears back to the wild. And what a location to call home! The Bella Coola valley is a breathtaking setting.
Snow-capped mountains, pine trees as far as the eye can see, lakes, rivers – yes, rivers full of salmon for the grizzlies and shrubs full of berries, a pristine and isolated environment, miles from the closest human.
I was in very good company aboard the helicopter. First of all our expert pilot who during the boreal summers flies helicopters in the Arctic, had plenty of polar bear experience, not bad for a summer job eh?
Drew Milne, a British Columbia Conservation Officer was there to guarantee we were all safe, grizzlies and humans. It was evident that he had a soft spot for Drew the grizzly, named after him after protecting the bear when he was just a newly orphaned cub and making a call to Angelika and Peter who manage the NLWS shelter. You could sense his joy as we all watched his grizzly namesake slowly waking up from his anesthesia, free at last.
Our other companion was Peter Langen. Peter was the keeper of the bears for all these months and as expected it was a bitter-sweet moment for him. He was of visibly happy and excited but also concerned for their safety. At the end of the operation he urged the helicopter to make on more turn into the valley in which we had dropped off siblings Lori and Dean. This was not just to get a second photo op, it was to see if Lori was up and about, we had left her breathing regularly but showing very little body motion. Our heart stopped for a few seconds there when we hovered around Lori, still in the same location where we left her. We all started drawing the worst of conclusions when suddenly as the helicopter lowered and kicked up sand and wind beneath us, Lori jumped up looked directly at us as if saying ‘leave me alone already’.
Jubilation broke the silence over the helicopter intercom with a single message: ‘she’s fine – they are all fine’ time now for them to be alone. Well, not completely alone, we are still keeping a close eye on them.
In fact, a satellite up in space helps us pinpoint their exact location and track their movement every 4 hours for the next year and a half! All four grizzlies are fitted with satellite collars so stay tuned and remember to visit IFAW.org for updates on how they are all doing. – MB For more information on the International Fund for Animal Welfare effort to save animals in crisis around the world, visit http://www.ifaw.org
Dear jean,
I just sent this update to supporters who donated to help move four young grizzlies to a new home in the wild, and I wanted to send it along to you as well as the video is just too good not to share.
If you'd like to help IFAW give animals like these bears a second chance, please donate today. You can truly make a lifesaving difference for animals in need.
Thank you,
Bears
VIDEO: Free At Last, Canadian Grizzly Cub Tracking Begins
2011/06/27 By Comments (42)
Our heart stopped for a few seconds there when we hovered around Lori, still in the same location where we left her. We all started drawing the worst of conclusions when suddenly as the helicopter lowered and kicked up sand and wind beneath us, Lori jumped up looked directly at us as if saying ‘leave me alone already’.
Pilot Program Sees Four Grizzly Cubs Return to the Wild
2011/06/23 By Comments (4)
And so early tomorrow morning the bears will be sedated and receive a pre-release health exam. The bears will be fitted with custom satellite collars so we can track their movements.
WATCH: Cute Orphaned Russian Bear Cub Overload
2011/06/15 By Comments (2)
I wish you could hear what’s going on during their feeding – they know nothing about good manners. Their muzzles and legs are all in porridge; they eat hastily splashing their food all around; they quarrel and try to get into each others bowl; they’re growing wild – that’s their fortune and our job.
Salvaging Hope After Suffering Through A Pointed Congressional Attack
2011/05/16 By Comments (1)
I look forward to the day when Congress better reflects these values. It can’t happen too soon for the sake of polar bears and other endangered animals.
Testifying Before Congress to Protect the Polar Bear
2011/05/12 By Comments (5)
As I said earlier…this is one bad law. Let’s hope that Congress realizes it too. Otherwise expect more big-game hunters to line-up asking to bring back the endangered species they’ve killed abroad too.
Budte Zhuvu Medved: A Russian Toast to Saving Polar Bears
2011/05/06 By Comments (0)
I salute my country and its leadership for once again making me proud. If we can now persuade others to follow the Russian example – we may just be able to save this remarkable animal.
Brown Bear Den Hunt Ban Adopted in Russia
2011/03/15 By Comments (7)
The ban is a great news not only for bears but for us as humans. Russian officials managed to overcome so called centuries old traditions for the Bear den hunt in Russia. where it was equal for such symbols of Russia as vodka, caviar, Matreshka doll.
VIDEO: Asiatic Black Bear Cub Returned to the Wild
2011/01/20 By Comments (1)
An Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) cub admitted to the IFAW Wildlife Rescue Center by the Assam Forest Department officials after it was found in a village near Kaziranga National Park, was returned to the wild on Saturday.
Two orphaned grizzly bears rescued in Canada
2010/10/15 By Comments (8)
A week ago, we received notice from our partners at the Northern Light Wildlife Shelter (NLWS) in Canada that two orphan grizzly bear cubs were being held at a park station in Bella Coola, British Columbia. Hours before, a local Conservation Officer had discovered that a mother bear had been shot and her two offspring [...]
IFAW Russia: Orphan Bear Cub Diaries, April 8, 2010
2010/04/08 By Comments (3)
This is my last blog post from Bubonitsy-unfortunately my holiday here is nearly at an end. It’s been wonderful to see the cubs again and to help out with the feeding. I say a big ‘Thank you’ to the Pazhetnovs for having me again and for letting me near the cubs.
This is very useful post for me. Thanks for sharing.
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