About Us-take a glimpse at new photos

Email: dawnbrown@hciwireless.net

Phone: 207-778-2902

Bottle feeding neonatal cub Patten

After 221 feedings"Male cub "Patten" weighed 2 lbs 14 oz after 21 days in wildlife rehabilitation Biologist found a surrogate sow.ultimate situation.

At Second Chance wildlife, Inc. We strive to create the most natural habitat for all the Bears that come here,and focus on having them all return to the wild just as wild bears. I/ Dawn L. Brown am continuously learning, and growing on what obstacles that may take place during the wildlife rehabilitation process...I have learned much all on my own, just from what I have had the opportunity to witness.I try very hard to not get attached to the bears,and focus my attention on what is in the best interest of the bears . I feel very blessed having had an opportunity to care for ,and observe bears in their element,it has without a doubt helped me to better understand their behavior,and how they adapt and react to different situations. I hope to continue doing this for many years :o) I keep documentation on everything that I am able to witness with bear behavior,and development.I do not have a college degree, nor am I a biologist. I am greatly self taught,and out of the box,but I certainty have a passion for learning,and no one can take that away from me! I would like to thank my husband Michael for understanding my passion for bear rehabilitation,and also his understanding with the time that I spend with documenting bear behavior,and with corrisponding with others..I greatly appreciate,and respect all his help with the upkeep of our facilities. Thanks also goes to so many gifted/skilled individuals who have contributed their knowledge and time e.g. I have corresponded with Maine bear biologist Randy Cross & crew, Maine bear & Lynx biologist Jennifer Vashon .Thanks also to some other skillful folks e.g. other bear rehabilitators such as: Ben Kilham; Among The Bears,and others I have corresponded with;though we certainly see things a bit differently from one another ;that is okay..Much thanks also goes to other biologist that I have never spoken with; Just read their books/literature, and gained much knowledge! Such as Bear biologist Jeff Fair & Lynn Rogers ;The Great American Bear, (Wildlife Monographs-A publication of the wildlife society:Effects of food supply and kinship on social behavior,movements,and population growth of black bears in Northeastern Minnesota--by biologist Lynn Rogers) Bear biologist Terry Debruyn ;Walking With Bears, Bear biologist John Beecham & Jeff Rohlman ;Shadow In The Forest,Bear biologist Craig Mclaughlin, Ken Elowe, and many others .... I believe our focus is all near the same; also thanks to the knowledge of hunters, and conservationist; who also truly understand the bear species.We may see bear behavior a bit different just as we are all a bit different from one another.I look at statistics while also looking for something new in behavior, and try to learn from it ! I am greatly a self taught educated individual,and I have learned a great deal from time, trial and error,and truly believe that certain data I collected certainly would have never been documented if, I had given up.I see some folks who rehabilitate bears: (have none or little presence with very good results)( others try to teach bears- to learn their skills; also having a fairly good success rate)( others;a happy medium -letting the cubs be observed by video,and or monitor cameras, but at the same time trying to figure out what they do while no one is watching & quote ;this is my philosophy ; none of us are going to stop learning..and I truly believe just knowing this gives me inspiration ! I am in hope that we will all learn a bit from one another peacefully! I enjoy wildlife rehabilitation and believe record keeping is critical .My true dreams are to learn absolutely everything I can about black bear cub/yearling behavior and development-Seeing their capabilities at different stages of their development -Maturity and so on; greatly through the eyes of a camera .By having three acres of bear habitat fenced in I can actually see how bear cubs can behave. Three month old cubs can climb 70 feet up in a tree and swim across a pond,forage,hide and just be bears, it is like a dream come true! I always dreamt I would have the opportunity to rehabilitate bears,I have been curious about black bears since childhood. Later on in life you tend to look at things that captured your curiosity but never pursuit ,By having persistence,determination,and just being driven had lead me later in years to work with this incredible species:For this I feel blessed!

My first bear in rehabilitation was a cub in 1997-but i did not have the proper facilities; worked real hard to fulfill my expectations,and we have succeeded to now have built of the largest bear facilities in the USA Contsructed, and completed Spring of :2006.I am hoping bear cubs, and/ or yearlings will now go here-I always figured working real hard to accomplish building one of the best bear rehabilitation facilities in the Country;well bears would simply go here,but I had forgotten how so often we live in a world now; that everyone gets a trophy, and it does not matter how hard you work. It looks as though things may be finally be making some sense.Never back down from a dream,and always stand your ground,and make everyone accountable for their actions. The black Bear Ursus Americanus is what I specialize in (specific species) and what I typically only have the time for;considering we work for a living ;I also believe then I will have a better chance of learning much, it also allows me to focus all my attention on that particular species:(documentation,research) Our two black bear pen/facilities are for bears!
I will rehabilitate other species only on a small scale, while also gaining knowledge on their behavior and development.

1997 My first bear cub in rehabilitation

The cub that got away

"Living wild" Hey that's my clover! While momma was not around ,I was able to get this photo-It was interesting to observe this species in the wild-the mother will often leave for an extended period of time ;or at least out of sight.I was able to photograph/video tape them while she was nursing the little duffer-something not very often seen..

Moose,Deer,sign....Oh My! Being in the woods-our passion."Just does somthing to your soul"

whitetail Deer bed down

Deer Hair caught in a maple sapling

Our real job;working for a living installing floors can be a bit tough at times! Work slows down a bit during the winter, and early spring,but unfortunately the past 2 years it has slowed down greatly ,not just during the Winter and Spring.It sure is nice if when we have the opportunity to get at least 2-4/small,and /or medium size jobs a month during the most difficult times;being later Winter and early Spring.Sadly we have cut our cost,while too having to deal with fuel cost rising,and work supplies have gone up too= inflation.The private sector seems to be hurting the most in this economy!During slow times I do have time to feed very young cubs,for they are bottle fed every 2-4 hrs.It is helpful being in business for ourselves to a degree,for I can focus all my attention on cub care when work tends to slow down a bit.Take note:I will schedule time frames as the cubs grow,and feed them through the night when we do have work-this seems to work out well.I did this with the moose calf.With time permitted my husband & I like to spend as much time as we can in the woods and learn how mammals live in the wild understanding them= where they have gone, and where they have been, and everything in between;habitat,range,territory...Take Note:Nature can be tough,and we seen what nature can consist of,and the harshness,and the triumphs;until you have witnessed it first hand it is very difficult for some to understand it. A pass time of ours is to collect moose sheds after the first cold snap,we have quite a collection-each one is different & unique.We trained our pup Tracker to snuff them out and she is pretty with her skills.We also enjoy deer hunting, and greatly respect the hunting heritage, knowing that it stands strong for the very core meaning of : Wildlife Conservation, and management programs :keeping wildlife healthy & stable now, and for future generations.We all have common ground and admire all the critters out there!

My husband Michael & I have been married 27 years, we moved to New Sharon Maine 22 years ago,we bought the land,and built our cozy home in the middle of the woods.We hope the land around us will stay wild!Housing developments are going in places you never thought it would happen. We will do our best to keep our privately owned land just as it is.I am sure that others who choose to develop in the wild areas of Maine will do the very best that they can to make corridors for wildlife,keeping habitat in place.Maine's landscape is made up of allot of privately owned land ,and to me that is of good! Of course I am a strong believer in the right of those who privately own their land; for I, and my husband are land owners.Life liberty & the pursuit of land "happiness"

Tracker snuffing out a Moose antler shed

Maine State Flower "The white pine Cone"

The pine Cone fell from a white pine tree into a white spruce tree

"Winter wonderland"

Back woods Late January Winter 2010

The beavers are at work! (yellow birch tree)

Our back woods beaver bog (April 2010)

No beaver tree huggers here;beaver harvesters

"White Ash Tree"

Moose bed down ,and droppings.Look below and you will see what moose do to saplings/young trees-they will often chew the bark clean off,while also brousing the tips of young saplings-this helps them to survive the long winter (an adult moose will forage on 40 lbs of brouse a day) Maine has the largest moose poulation in the U.S. outside of Alaska.In the spring/summer they will brouse/forage on the leaves,and saplings while also enjoying the aquatic vegetation in the swamps,lakes,ponds,and streams.(Brouse /saplings comes from trees being harvested from logging)(Bull Moose will also srape ,and snap,and tear apart saplings during the rut/breeding season.Always be cautious with moose during rut.)

Moose chews to the left. Beaver choping to the right

Snowshoe hare bunny chews (April 2010 back woods)

Rabbits will devour the cambium on saplings as far as eyes can see in the woods.

"Spring In Maine" "The Way Life Should Be"

Waking up to a fresh cup of coffee what do you see? Moose! We seen;I believe a momma cow, and her yearling? It is known though that cow moose are getting ready to have their calves soon-so these two may possibly be from last year(making them yearlings),and have just been kicked out from an adult cow moose getting ready to calve.The one on the left was definitely bigger-so it is a bit tough to say; the photo does not do it justice.They were checking out our deck,then they went by the fire pit, and scurried off into the woods-They look pretty ratty at this stage; spring molting,and black fly season,tics...They have it a bit tough! especially after the snowy long winter we had this year- reaching snow depths of 5+ feet.They will soon have their beautiful coats as time goes on,and enjoy browsing on all the new saplings,vegetation in the ponds,and enjoy the warm breezes; keeping the bugs at bay.What a wonderful sight!

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life ,Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Hold to the truth ,and speak without fear

I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man. -George Washington

JOB DESCRIPTION: Dawn L Brown 90 Mountain Road Second Chance Wildlife, Inc New Sharon, Maine 04955 President and Executive director.Job description Primary wildlife caretaker for the rehabilitation of orphaned/ neonatal cubs,older cubs,and also injured bears e.g. Consistency/accuracy, with the intense feeding schedule of neonates, and any other immediate care for older cubs that is necessary for success. I will observe, and document behavior, and development/growth rates…. I participate in other chores that are needed and necessary for preparing animals for release e.g. collecting natural food, and feeding out supplements when needed. In the future I will assist students, biologist, and other bear rehabilitators by giving them the opportunity to view, and observe bear behavior, and possibly other species on a monitor; by having cameras placed in our pens during the rehabilitation process (natural habitat). We are not open to the public so as to
keep rehabilitated bears, and other wildlife in a natural environment. No human presence with any wildlife outside of caretaker; except when blinders are in place, and very specific instructions/guidelines would be established i.e. biologist may view, and inspect the facilities, and possible media/documentary; only when blinders are in place! work with the assistance/advice from the board of directors, and others; too succeed in gaining resources e.g. Professional advice for grants/grant writing, how to gain possible corporate donations, and sponsorships for expanding our facilities, more cameras for monitoring bears when in rehabilitation & radio telemetry and/or GPS/satellite collars for when they are returned to the wild; Gaining public support for our efforts.I will correspond and answer questions from the public about bear rehabilitation, development, behavior, conservation,and too try to communicate with other bear rehabilitators, and other bear specialist/biologist by sharing information, and techniques. My job will also consist of directing some folks to i.e. biologist such as other board of directors who specialize in specific species i.e. bear, lynx for when questions pertaining to certain aspects of management, and biology, research;I being unable to answer certain questions in their field of work/expertise.I keep track of Second Chance Wildlife, Inc. financial records & cost e.g. materials, labor, and other data/bookkeeping i.e. any necessary legalities/fees that may be needed for: Second Chance Wildlife, Inc. e.g. Lawyer, accountant, consulting, Ins; if necessary.I will update news/events by adding literature, photos, videos… on our website www.beartodream.org ,and now I have added a facebook page ,and also have a youtube page = I am continually adding any new information that may arise in reference to: Second Chance Wildlife, Inc. I try to add additional educational data received from biologist in reference to wildlife management/biology, and conservation programs; including other educational Links. I too include some of my own views, and philosophies on the website when in reference to bear development,behavior,care.I try to work closely with the board of directors for creating new projects for the future. I will participate with i.e. seminars, presentations, media outreach, to educate the public about bear rehabilitation, research, and the importance of conservation=wildlife management programs. I gather information/data collected from : The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & wildlife bear biologist & study group, and other biologist in the event of other rehabilitated species monitored in the wild. I.e. they are either: radio collard, and/or GPS, satellite, ear tagged…) Time corresponding=informing me of any data/documentation that the biologist have collected; good, bad or indifferent, to help us better understand what rehabilitation methods are working best with specific species. I help/assist my husband Michael with e.g. maintenance on our bear pen, immediate care building, and other facilities, adding cameras, and any other work necessary. We will continue to have our bear facilities be one of the best facilities in the country! The other pens will also enhance the short rehabilitation stay that is necessary for other species.

Mission Statement:

Is to have a black bear rehabilitation facility for cubs that have been orphaned due to:

Death of the mother by natural causes, hunting, or collision with a vehicle.
Logging operations disturbing or destroying a den Ÿ A consequence of death or separation of an adult female that the defenseless cubs are left to fend for themselves First time mothers abandoning their dens and cubs, or Natural separation as a result of dens being flooded or other disturbances unless they are found and taken to a wildlife rehabilitator for care and housing, medical treatment, and eventual release into the wild.Transitioning black bear cubs back to the wild, and for observing and monitoring rehabilitated bears. With support of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. We currently have a 3-acre pen containing good habitat for bears to forage on -there are many different natural food sources such as green up,beech nuts, acorns, maple keys, ants larvae, hazelnut and a few berry bushes…. and a small vernal pool full of nutrients -while also having a pond to swim (bears love water). Our future goal is to fence in another large area and create what bears need most? space!

EDUCATION:

Educate the general public about bear behavior and development, while understanding the vital importance of wildlife conservation and management . Habitat loss continues, we need to Focus on the facts (educate the public about how we can live with this incredible species among us ,while also knowing bears need enough habitat capacity that is able to sustain them .)

Another important issue that I will strive to have the general public be aware of Is to understand the hardships of nature itself, predation from other species is not pretty! an animal can be dragged down, and sadly be alive for an implausible amount of time,seen it , It is very sad... If we let certain species thrive, they will intern devastate other stable populations (this is where wildlife management comes into place).Winter is also very harsh- Maine can loose up to 30% of the deer population.Having good habitat also plays a role / factor on how they may do...Some wild animals starve to death in the wild each year.For those who have not spent time in the woods to acknowledge/witness something as such ? it can be a bit difficult for them to absorb.We need to learn all sides of what happens in the wild- good ,bad or indifferent, and have an understanding of what is real and what is not.

How many animals die each year from vehicles,how many people die from animal crashes. MDIFW has records on wildlife collisions.Moose & Deer are high on the list.Bear vehicle collisions are fairly low on the scale.

Individuality:

I personally do not hunt bear, and never will, but I am open minded, and continue to focus my attention along with others to educate the public on what is in the best interest of the bears, and the people of Maine. Many more bears live than die.Approximately 3,000 to 4,000 bears are harvested each year ;the good news is that there are over 23,000 bears that live in Maine .A Maine Black Bears odds are fairly good with making it through the bear season! Though the bears, and other species will still also have to deal with some of the hardships that exist within nature itself.

Management for Bears consist of : hunting seasons along with other regulated hunting seasons on game species e.g., Moose ,Deer,and other species...they are monitored closely,while many folks who head into the woods to go hunting are enjoying a wholesome heritage, and tradition , and also putting healthy food on the table for those who believe in the hunt. It also provides "game wildlife species" to stay at a healthy and stable population- preventing disease,overpopulation.....while also realizing any good hunter focuses their attention on a quick humane kill "that is there intention." Those who break the law and/or are unethical -They are not a real hunter to me, and they will get caught.

Much sincere thanks goes to: Wildlife Biologist Sandy Ritchie, Jen Vashon, Randy Cross-For a bit of advice and assistance with grant writing /proposals,cover letters...

This smaller Bear pen is from a previous grant

from the Maine outdoor heritage fund.

Grant funding was for $2,300.00

Cow Moose out in our back woods-while we were snowshoeing

Porcupine devoured this beech tree

The cambium layer is gone -this tree will not survive

Home for generations of porcupines

"Old yellow birch tree"

Momma is nursing baby above-look close!

larger porcupine in a beech tree below (Porcupines will destroy the outer bark/ cambium-typically the tree will die if completely girdled)

momma porcupine and baby enjoying Imperial whitetail clover

(these are not rehabilitated animals)

Deer scrape on the left-you can see a bit of hair left.Odds are it rubbed it's antlers on the small spruce tree; most likely during the rut season last fall,or possibly when it was trying to shed its antlers.

this moose antler above has been chewed on-a variety of critters will gain a good source of nutrients such as calcium...from moose,deer sheds/antlers ,and also from the remains of bones from the hardships that several species may encounter in the wild.

Maple saplings snapped in half by moose

"Winter & early Spring In the Maine foothills"

Early April back woods April 4,2010

Still a bit of snow here in the foothills

The flower garden did great! the long summer days

Apple blossoms & bumble bee pollinating