Lily And Hope Tussle In The Den

By KBJR Manager

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January 17, 2011 Updated Jan 17, 2011 at 6:36 PM CDT

Ely, MN (Northland's NewsCenter) - Baby bear cubs could be born soon near Ely.

Researchers at the North American Bear Center are getting ready for the birth of Lily's new cubs.

Researchers say there is evidence that mama bear Lily is getting ready to give birth.

Her breathing has increased, she is spending time rearranging the bedding in the den, and physical changes to her body indicate labor may not be far away.

Hope, Lily's first cub, was born last winter on January twenty second, after 22 hours of labor.

The yearling cub is spending the winter in the den with Lily, as is normal for black bear families.

What researcher's say is not normal is for a female bear to give birth two years in a row.

That situation is causing drama between Lily and Hope.

Hope wants to nurse while Lily wants to get the den ready for the birth.
Several tussles have ensued.

The live dencam, which was installed just before the New Year, is transmitting all the drama from the remote den site near Ely.

You can check it out by CLICKING HERE.

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