After fearing that a grizzly boar killed all three cubs belonging to sow number 815, hanging out near Roaring Mountain, it was such a relief to see today that two of the cubs survived.
A witness did see the boar grab one cub and watched as the other two escaped yesterday. All day I heard stories of the sow searching frantically for her cubs, trying to cross the road but being blocked by people. Am so glad that I was not there to witness that scene – the sorrow from the stories was hard enough to bare.
Today, the sow was back out near the road, off and on, during the day, grazing while the cubs played. This was fantastic viewing for the numerous visitors, most of whom were just passing by on the one and only road north and south in the park right now. Lots of excitement and fascination.
Before going to visit the grizzly family, Morlene and I went out to the northern range again. There were two sows, each with two cubs (black bears) in very close proximity to one another today. At one point, the larger sow went close to the other one and everyone went up a tree. There was a theory that the larger sow, most likely Rosie, is the mother of the smaller one and that she was asserting her dominance. Though, the small sow did not seem interested in moving anywhere. Will be intriguing to see how this one plays out. I asked the ranger and he said that he has never witnessed a situation like this one before.
The big black bear boar was still on the bison carcass, although I did hear that he left long enough to go for a swim. There were several visitors and photographers enjoying the scene when we drove by.
There was also a cinnamon black bear at Elk Creek.
We went to Slough in hopes of seeing Junction Butte puppies and were rewarded nicely. After waiting awhile, one of the females, 907, got up and drank some water before going up to the den where she stood on the porch and nursed puppies. Afterwards, the some pups followed her down hill while others went in and out of the den. It was so cute and absolutely wonderful to see those puppies. Morlene was smiling from ear to ear.
Another big bear day in Yellowstone.
Deby
