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 research expert; I have documented a great deal over the years;I try very hard to not get attached to the bears,but none the less-each hold a special place in my heart; I focus my attention greatly 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 develop,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 on paper taht is,but I am to be reckoned and have gathered more data than most whom have gotten a degree for thesis = 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 with my beautiful bear facilities Note : I do allot of it myself as well. It Is a dream come true for me to have one of the largest bear facilities In the Country . I take photos of the bears I care for and observe because I have a great opportunity ; being the only caretaker and observer. Much thanks goes to Individuals whom have contributed their knowledge and time (In reference to what bear biology consist of = I  correspond with Maine bear biologist Randy Cross mainly,and others whom work in that field Note : what I do and biologist do differ in some instances = I focus my attention with bear cub development and repetative behvaioral pattrens,.... ) I have tried to communicate with others whom  rehabilitate bears,and though we certainly tend to see things a bit differently from one another ;that is okay. As I stated - I simply document my bear cub care, bear development, and repetitive behavioral patterns - everything that I have an opportunity to witness, and have my observations backed up with monitoring cams, and video that I take = proof...( I do consider myself a biologist/or bear researcher in regard to the specific research I have done over the years and continue) 

Thanks 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 ,but we may see and learn individual insights = having different hands on experiances.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  I try to learn from it ! The bears continue to teach me! They are my true educaters = I go directly to the source - not speculation - it keeps me safe. 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 would have never have 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,and set any differences we have aside!Note : what I doccument though is what I doccument and it is my data. I enjoy wildlife rehabilitation consisting of care and observation, and I believe record keeping is indeed critical = I keep most all my records on paper and video, and too eventually type some of it out and share on my fb, website, and youtube channel(BUT NOT ALL). Repetitive behavior Is my focus! 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 for the most part. By having 5 acres of bear habitat fenced in - I can actually see/witness how bear cubs develop,and behave naturally and instinctively. 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 having something to do with bears ,and truly believe this is my fate;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 more 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 I did not have the proper facilities;so 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 2006 ,and another 2 acres added in 2013.I am hoping bear cubs, and/ or yearlings will now go here;I always figured working real hard to accomplish not only building one of the best bear rehabilitation facilities,but too having the care 2nd to none,and I truly believe there is no one out there that documents any more meticulous and thorough than I = I am very disciplined,and believe truth and accuracy Is what will prevail.Bears should simply go here,but I have 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 what I believe in-this is my dream,and I will always stand my ground,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 believe focusing my attention strictly on bears ;that I will have a better chance of learning much more about Maine Black Bears/and yes; I call them my bears when they are in my care.. By just rehabilitating,and observing  bears ;I will be able to focus all my attention on that particular species:documentation,behavioral research.. My three 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/rehabilitaion.

• I will 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 .)