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 do consider  myself a bear rehabilitation & behavioral obsever  expert; I have documented a great deal over the years;I try very hard to not get attached to the bears,and I focus my attention on what is in the best interest of the bears . I feel very blessed having 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 more 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 an out of the box thinker for sure..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 I spend with documenting bear behavior,and with corresponding with others..He enjoys being in the woods, and too has respect for all wildlife,and he too is an avid hunter.I greatly appreciate,and respect all his help with the up keep of the facilities. I would like to also welcome our new board member: Rick Libbey/MooseMan who is a professional photographer for SCWI, and whom also educates about photography,and wildlife. Thanks also goes to so many gifted/skilled individuals who have contributed their  knowledge and time (In reference to what bear biology consist of; I  correspond with Maine bear biologist Randy Cross , Jen Vashon,and Lisa Bates,and other who work in that field) I communicate with other bear rehabilitators,and though we certainly tend to see things a bit differently from one another ;that is okay..I simply document everything that I have an opportunity to witness...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.I would like to reckon hunters, and conservationist too for their knowledge of bears and other wildlife species;they truly understand what goes on out there in the wilderness.We may see/observe 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 have 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 /or from  a distance where I can observe uninterrupted bear cub,and yearling behavior.By having three acres of bear habitat fenced in I can actually see how bear cubs can behave. 3,4...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..Later in years I have succeeded to live out my dream by having persistence, and determination;being at times it seemed as though all odds were against me for whatever reason?..This Indeed only made me more driven to succeed;thus NOT allowing roadblocks /or special interest to get in my way.I feel blessed to have stayed on track,and most importantly to have never given up on my vision and dreams of what I, as an individual believe in,and what is indeed in the best interest of the bears that I care for.My first  bear in rehabilitation was a cub in 1997,but did not have the proper facilities from then on  my intense focus was to work real hard to fulfill my expectations;thus we have succeeded to now have constructed one of the largest bear facilities in the USA , and completed the 3 acre facility 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,and having the care 2nd to none ;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.I never back down from a dream,and will  always stand myground,and I believe in making 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 I am self employed and work for a living Installing floors with my husband;I also believe then I will have a better chance of learning much more about Maine Black Bears, it also allows me to focus all my attention on that particular species:documentation,behavioral research the two black bear pen/facilities are for bears!

I will no longer be rehabilitating other species.My time and effort will be strictly focused on rehabilitating bear cubs,and yearlings and documenting their behavior and development while in my care.

• 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 .)