Sarah Bear is Dead

Why kill a yearling, why????

Radio-collar of Ely Research Bear turned in.

September 7, 2010: "Braveheart’s yearling daughter Sarah is dead. Her radio-collar was covered with bright ribbons (photo taken Aug 26) We thought she was safe."



"We picked up her blood-spotted radio-collar from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources this morning. It had been turned in anonymously."

"We are at a loss what to do to combat this kind of loss. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources posted a picture of a radio-collared bear with ribbons like on Sarah’s collar and asked hunters not to shoot these bears. The Minnesota Bear Guides Association asked their hunters to spare radio-collared bears. We contacted all the hunters we know in this area to introduce them to bears and answer their questions."

"We have gotten the word out every way we know, including signs throughout the study area. And thanks to Lily fans, a huge amount of media coverage told how the radio-collared bears are helping science, education, and the regional economy. Sarah was a gentle, trusting, and trustworthy bear with the calm personality that allows a person to accompany her and be ignored. Such a bear is a window into bear life for both us and the world."

"Ethical hunters are reacting with disgust, saying “that is not hunting!” We both felt the hopeless sense of somehow being violated. We hoped our shaking wasn’t noticeable as we spoke to cameras for the BBC documentary. We know you understand our feelings."

"We re-checked the other radio-collared bears. They seem to be safe. But we are still worried about the trail cam on a bear trail on the edge of the property here."

"Thank you for your support through the hard times as well as the joyous ones."

—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center.

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