I just recently learned the true meaning of the word "captivated."  I became captivated by a black bear named Lily.  She subsequently had a cub. I've been watching ever since.

 Lily The Black Bear - From Facebook Fan Page

I do not remember how or why it happened, but somehow I was introduced to a webcam set in the den of a pregnant bear named Lily, in the town of Ely, Minnesota.  I was told that she was to give birth in the next few weeks and that I could watch what would happen on a day-to day basis. Along with hundreds of others who had also come to this site, we watched Lily get her den ready for the day her cub would come into the world.

North American Bear Center (NABC)

Through a series of daily updates by the biologists, Dr. Lynn Rogers and Ms. Sue Mansfield, we were told what was actually happening.  Lynn and Sue, both from the North American Bear Center (NABC), have been "walking" with bears for several years. These bears have been collared and are in an area where hunting is not allowed. There is a fabulous video showing Lynn from a very early age spending a good deal of his time with bears...It's amazing to see him lying down with bears as well as feeding them, actually really being friends with them. 

His purpose in having the webcam, as well as acquainting us with bears, is to show us that they are not violent, aggressive animals as they are portrayed.  As a matter of fact, he says, "Bears are not really aggressive by nature and are sorely misunderstood."   There are various videos throughout Lily's Facebook page showing both Lynn and Sue and other members of the Research Team walking with bears, handling them, and actually being very close and upfront with them.  Apparently, Lynn has been tracking bears for a very long time, and is still tracking Lily's mom, June and her grandmother, Honey. 

 As Lily Went Into Labor

We watched in astonishment, as Lily went into labor, until the cub was born on January 22nd at 12:30 p.m.  It took a while before the cub actually arrived, but we knew when she came as we could hear the loud screeching for very long periods of time. We would all become familiar with several types of noises that we heard, especially the screeching cubs loud cries as well as Lily's comforting noises. 

Volunteer viewers, from the people watching, agreed to take 2 hours at a time to record what was going on in Lily's den and everyday the viewers were updated on what had taken place the day before. We finally found out that the new arrival was a girl!

Facebook Fans

Lynn and Sue were also astonished, not really prepared for the incredibly large amount of people who started to tune in.  At one point, there were as many as 70,000 people watching.  Fans included children, classrooms, teachers, artists, writers, moms, dads, families, animal lovers, to name just a few.  As all of us watched this spectacle together, we all became friends on Lily The Black Bear's Facebook Page. We became closer to one another, as we shared how we felt and what we saw happening in Lily's Den on a day-to-day basis.  Some posts were funny and some days were quiet as we watched Lily and cub.   There started to be more sightings of the cub.  Some people had seen her feet and some people had seen her face. Again, videos and photos were taken all along the way. 

Contest To Name The Cub

Lynn and Sue decided to have a contest to name the cub. Along with thousands of entries, people were also ordering tee shirts and other memorabilia from the NABC- the BearCenter. We were also helping them to decrease their $700,000 debt.  As of February 14, donations were made in the amount of $62,000 dollars. What had started as a simple idea had mushroomed into an incredible event for all.  One of the viewers, who lives in Minnesota, is actually planning a Lily Bear and cub party at her home.  Several people are flying there for the occasion. 

We are all delighted to be participating in such a wonderful event.  Several individuals have actually made career changes and have decided to work with animals. One woman has decided to leave her "boring" job to become a Forest Ranger.  Indeed, this experience has affected us all.

The Journey Is Far From Over

All of us have been touched in one way or another by this incredibly special opportunity that we have been given.  Our work is just beginning.  We are moved to carry this message that we have learned through watching Lynn, Sue and the bears.  Bears are sorely misunderstood.   We have been introduced to bears that are not killers, nor are they violent. They have actually become Lynn and Sue's and the whole research teams best friends. Please follow all the activity and excitement (referenced below).  You, too, may become a believer!