Bird Cams Around the World

After reading the msnbc article, and the latest FB update, I am still so overwhelmed with sadness and anger, as I know my fellow posters must also be. From the article, it appears the hunter may have known it was our beloved Hope. It sickens me so if that is the case, even though he had legal rights. And I am very frustrated, though I know the researchers are hurting now too, that Hope wasnt painted or ear tagged or something, I found the reasoning unacceptable to those not scientists. Dont want to say anything hurtful at this time, out of respect. I dont think after losing Hope that I can watch bearstudy's videos, or continue to follow Lily and Faith. Unless efforts are made continuously to get and keep Faith used to collars, her outlook could be the same. Dear sweet Hope, life will never be the same without you in it.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44673854

http://www.facebook.com/lily.the.black.bear

After reading tonight's update, I feel confused. Of all the bears to be taken, I can't believe it was Hope. I also agree the hunter probably knew who she was, especially since bears have their "own" territories and this person knew where they were baiting.

Lily and her family have opened my eyes to bears and I've been amazed by their activities. I'm devastated over the loss of Hope, but wonder if "other" forces were at work here. She had such a hard start in life. I'm grateful she reunited with Lily and was such a devoted big sister to Faith & Jason. I just pray she did not suffer and that Lily & Faith did not witness her death. I know I'm applying human thoughts here, but can't stand the thought of her suffering or what they may have seen.

My confused feelings come over the baiting issue. I have been thinking how cowardly to bait and wait for these animals, but after reading the update tonight, I can see why it might be more humane if they do bait. Regardless, I don't personally believe in hunting, especially bears.

I really do feel for the researchers. They spent so many hours with her and touched her. All I got to do was watch her through the webcam and the posted videos. They understood her personality and got to see her in action. They must be feeling the "what-ifs" over this. Even if they had collared her, maybe that hunter would have taken the shot regardless. Maybe that hunter felt they had a nasty point they wanted to prove. Just like what happened to Sarah bear last year, the shooter saw the ribbons and took the shot anyway. And what they must be feeling about that hunter right now. It must be such an internal conflict.

So unfortunately, and as much as I hate saying this, maybe this eventual outcome was in the stars for Hope. Maybe there was nothing anyone could have done, except for the hunter, to prevent her death.

RIP Hope.

Whether a hunter shoots a peregrine falcon or a black bear, I still find it offensive. Hunting animals for profit and pleasure seems cowardly, to me. At least with human battles, both sides are aware of what is going on, and how to respond. And these hunters apparently targetted these bears, as others target peregrine falcons. Hunters always say things like it is good for these animals, it helps to control the population, etc. Well, you could say the same thing about us: too many of us, no controls on breeding, spread disease, take up too much space. In the last century, humans killed off or greatly reduced the numbers of many species, and some are barely hanging on. The hunting argument strikes me as ridiculous, especially in this century. It is time for change.

Link to article/blog written by TR Michels.

Carly - agree.

I thought I was okay with this...mentally...obviously not. As I'm fixing food for my dogs, I realize how much this hurts. Thoughts about how Hope would have been as a mother are fluttering through my head. She was so good with Jason & Faith. I remember watching when they were born, thinking, she was going to hurt them.. I could not have been farther from the truth. And that beautiful picture posted here of Lily, Hope & Faith walking along keeps sticking in my head. So beautiful. I know people are afraid of bears, I would be too if I came upon one. I can't blame them, but doesn't mean we can't acknowledge the beauty and tenderness these animals show towards each other.

After reading the TR Michels blog post this morning, and then thinking about what was posted today, I totally agree, this is the researchers trying to calm the waters. Doubtful Hope wandered so far away from Lily that she ended up at someone elses bait site - this is probably the guy.

And another point I want to add... People are posting on Lily's page, "this is what you get for habituating wild animals"... BS in my opinion. If that was the case, they wouldn't have as many bears killed as they would smell "human" on the bait and run the other way. That's not what is going on here. Even though the radio collared bears may be "habituated" to the researchers, doubtful they would freely accept someone else walking up to them.

Just a shame.



Gosh... I need a life

TR Michels is a member of USeewildlife also He does bear study too when he is not in too much pain

This is beautiful

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1379701@N2 ... 635001985/

Thank you Pat