So sad

For a bit over a year now I have been following Lily the Black Bear. Lily is one of many black bears in Minnesota being followed by the Wildlife Research Institute at the North American Bear Center in Ely. She and her cubs (Hope, the yearling, and the 3 month old twins Faith and Jason) have captured the hearts of thousands of people throughout the world because of the live den cams and the Facebook Group. Lily and Hope are radio collared making it a unique opportunity for researchers (and the rest of the world) to really learn about black bears up close and personal! It has been an amazing experience to watch the births of all three cubs live....to listen to them play and cry and nurse. To watch them grow and eventually leave the den with momma once the snow started melting.

Jason - 3 months old

Just today we (the Lily fans) found out that Jason, the only male cub, had died. It is heartbreaking....it feels like I've lost my own little pet and I know the feeling is shared by many many from all over the world. Yes, it is the circle of life - but it still hurts.

Here is an article of interest:  Lily's Cub Dies; DNR and Researches at Odds.

As of this time it seems that the DNR has taken possession of Jason's body. The researchers had wanted to do a necropsy to determine the cause of death in hopes of possibly finding some information that may help in the research. I (along with the other 131,183 Lily fans) am hoping that in the end the DNR will come through and let the WRI have access to the info. If they do I will update!

But - I'm just sad right now. Poor little guy.

UPDATE:  DNR confiscates dead bear cub from Ely researcher