Update on Ice the Bear (also questions that are asked)

10 lb male cub named Lubec arrived on 6-12-09

10-16-09Lubec weighed 58 lbs when released back to the wild :o)

Bear Records: Years listed when bears went to ,and when bears did not go to Second Chance Wildlife, Inc. Common Sense would be that when Maine bears are in need of rehabilitation they would go here. (The smaller bear pen was built in 2002,and the 3 acre bear pen was built in 2006)

If you would like to gather more data on the bears please keep scrolling,and also just view other pages on the website to learn more.I do not have everything on the website that has been documented at this time,but I will eventually add much more documentation/my bear journal..please be patient.Thanks!

-Dawn Brown

1997:

(1) Male cub arrived in October 1997 (Released himself shortly later at approximately 9-10 months age/escaped)

1998,1999,2000,2001-No bears came here for rehabilitation

2002:

(1) Male cub received from Daryle Dajoy on 10-8-02, We were told that the approximately 9 month old cub had swam across blue hill bay and was smashing up against the rocks ( in the Spring of 2009 as a yearling we attempted a potencial release,but it was obviouse that there was something not right,it was clear this bear would never be able to live life as a typical bear.We had to make a decision, and all agreed what would be best=This bear was euthanized on 5-30-03 by State Veterinarian Dr. Don Honeige . Biologist Mark Caron then transported the bear,and a necropsy was then done.Results=Brain tumor,and neurological damage

2003:

(1) Male cub I named "Coburn" arrived on 12-18-03 from biologist Mark Caron.Cub's weight approximately 15-20 lbs.As a yearling he was caught in the trap door/bear box,he was not ear tagged.The biologist said the yearling was in very good condition,and had good behavior and should do well.He was taken up North and released on 5-28-04 up in Coburn Gore, Maine. My husband and I accompanied the biologist .We all caught a glimpse as he took off out of the box into the the woods /great release! have video.

2004,2005-No bears came here for rehabilitation

2006:

(1) 2-3-06 Female neonatal cub named "Frosty " arrived with Female sibling,the biologist & bear crew tried a winter den release by putting the cubs in with surrogate sow-it did not work out, Cub "Frosty" & her sibling "Ice"both went back into rehabilitation,later they were released again in the summer July/August of 2006-both cubs were immature at this stage of development and had gone to a campground,they had gone back into rehab again.On 8-17-06:Cub frosty died in captivity.We took her to my Veterinarian Dr.Robert Patterson, he had then taken samples to be sent to John Hopkins for a necropsy in Maryland. He did say there was a lot of gas built up.He was correct (Results=A gastric intestinal disorder,and it is difficult to pin point what may have caused it.) Bears at this time were getting allot of fruit e.g. strawberries,blueberries,sarsaparilla berries,blackberries,raspberries,also frozen fish=may be questionable,Mountain ash berries/not ripened may also be questionable,rose-hips not quite ripe may be questionable.I no longer feed any of the questionable foods out, just to be on the safe side. further data listed on this page

(1) 2-3-06 Female neonatal cub "Ice" arrived with sibling *look above her sibling was frosty. (Ice was later released back to the wild as a yearling / winter den release in 2007.Sadly In the 2008 bear hunting season-Ice was harvested during the Maine bear hunting season.She lived in the wild for over a year and a half. further data listed on this page

2007: No bears went into the bear rehabilitation pens (smaller bear pen, and 3 acre natural habitat facility) (1) 10 oz. Male neonatal cub arrived named "Patten",later Released into winter den with sow and siblings on 1-23 -07 ,on March16, 2007 when biologist checked the den, Patten weighed 5lb 6 oz. His sister was the smallest of the three natural cubs, and weighed 4 lbs 10 oz - the other 2 siblings,a male and female both weighed 5 lbs and 8-oz.Down East study. further data listed on this page

(1) Female cub arrived named "Machias" arrived on 3-12-07 .Released into den with surrogate sow on 3-29-07. further data listed on this page

(1) Female cub arrived named "Tug" arrived on 3-12-07.Released into den with surrogate sow 3-29-07. further data listed on this page

2008 -No bears came here for rehabilitation

2009:(1) male yearling arrived to Second Chance Wildlife Inc. on 4-23-09 from Jack Knight /another wildlife rehabilitators facilities (bear was released by biologist back to the wild on 5-28-09.this bear was also ear tagged,weighed ,teeth checked,health ...I have not heard any data ,so I ma hoping he is doing just fine.

Update 2010 *During the Maine bear season this bear was harvested (method -using hounds).The Guide said this bear was pretty near 300 lbs.Take Note: Guides are very conscientious about the size of bears that they harvest = they have very good judgment as professionals (eg estimating bears weight, characteristics, and behavior prior to harvesting/killing the animal).

(1) female yearling arrived to Second Chance Wildlife, Inc. on 4-23-09 from Jack Knight /another wildlife rehabilitation facilities. (After being at Second Chance Wildlife Inc.the bear was released by biologist back to the wild on 5-28-09.this bear was also radio collard,weighed ,teeth checked,health ...

Bear biologist Randy Cross & crew During the 2010 winter den study checked on her, and she weighed 76 lbs.she seemed a bit lanky thin for her body structure.
She had not shown up in the 2010 fall hunting season harvest report

(1) male yearling arrived 4-28-09 from biologist he was getting into trouble with his mother sow and another sibling-they were getting into birdseed feeders! the sow was eventually shot during the 2009 Maine bear hunting season ,the other sibling I am not sure what its fate was, it never was caught.The 1 birdseed yearling male that came here was released by biologist back to the wild on 5-28-09.Hva e not heard anything ,so I am in hope he is doing just fine

(1) 10 lb male cub named Lubec arrived on 6-12-09 -Biologist James Hall said the Bear cub was around a residence for about two weeks, no sign of the mother.Cub was later drugged, ear tagged,checked teeth,health..weight=58 lbs biologist Randy Cross said he looked to be in excellent condition (size appropriate). Also well behaved in terms of avoidance behavior. Lubec was then released back to the wild on 10-16-09.Have not heard any thing new,so I am in hope he is doing fine. further data on the home page.Rescued June 12,2009 from a porch in Lubec at 10 lbs. He had started exhibiting denning behavior in the large enclosure so it is likely that he will den soon in the wild.10-16-10 Lubec : weight= 58 lbs. Neck circumference = 34cm; Chest circ = 58cm; Length (zoological) =85cm; Length (nose to tip of tail) = 100cm Ear tags White 0169 in both ears (let blue backs) No chest blaze

2010 update: *Bear Cub Lubec
Lubec was killed by a hunter 9-10-10 he was approximately 1 year, and 8 months of age =20 months
Lubec was released 10-16-09 at approximately 9 months of age
Lubec was in rehabilitation for approximately 4 months

Lubec's rehabilitation process has proved to be a success for this particular bear (Lubec survived his second winter, in a den as a yearling by himself, and was able to wake up in the Spring, and survive through the season, up until he was harvested/killed on September 10,2010

These 4 bears did not shown up in the 2009 harvest reports,and the female was checked in the 2009 winter den study,there have been no nuisance reports either.

2010:

(1) male yearling bear arrived from Rangeley/ Coplin Plantation on 5-11-10.Game warden Reggie Hammond called about the little bear,and said it had been showing up for a few days sleeping on the porch and going into the barn of John Cochese.The cub weighed exactly 23 lbs on 5-11-10 when we got it home to Second Chance Wildlife.We weighed it in the carrier,and after had subtracted the weight of the carrier.I have been documenting behavior, and care.48 lbs when released on 6-17-10

10-4-10 Update- Good News :o) Coplin bear has not shown up in the 2010 harvest report as of yet (he was ear tagged & tattooed)
UPDATE: Coplin the bear was harvested at grid n 45' 11.509, w 67' 57.849, at a baitsite located at buck knoll. the date was 6/15/2011 at 730pm taken with a 338 federal. the live weight was 98 lbs, we did not weigh it after it was dressed.Coplin was in passamaquoddy tribal lands where thay have a spring hunt;bear tracks guide service on passamaquoddy tribal lands for the spring hunt. Thanks goes to the passamquoddy tribe for sharing this data.Guides are conscientious and they have good judgment as professionals.Though I am saddened that coplin was hunted;I do understand that hunting is a part of wildlife managment,tradition,and conservation.

(1) male 5 month old cub weighing 7 lbs 4 oz on arrival 6-6-10.Warden Kevin Pelkey rescued 'BUR" the cub on 6-5-10.(To read more about "Cub Bur" go back to the home page.) BUR was released on 8-16-10 with a satellite collar ,and was ear tagged, weight 44 lbs.

9-30-10 Update :o) Bur cub is doing well, he was picked up using ground telemetry,and was spotted way up in a tree.
10-26-10 Biologist Randy Cross checked "Bur" again.He is denned up in a hollow pine stub (smokestack) He is just living life as a bear...We all look forward to seeing him this winter; during the Winter den study.Read up about Bur-Go to home page!

2011:

(6) Cubs in rehabilitation (1) Moose calf

UPDATE:(3 cubs/Standish trio were released 0n: 8-23-11,and the Moose calf was released on:9-21-11

Bear cub Orlando,and the Enfield siblings will be released in the Spring 2012/they are Wintering here.

5-3-11 (2 male bear cubs from Enfield Maine-Name “Enfield brothers” Weight= 5 ½ lbs & 7 lbs biologist Mark Caron called, and Alan Stan delivered cubs most of the way.
5-12-11(1 female cub from Orland-Name “Orlando” weight 6 lbs Biologist Randy Cross deliverd cub.
5-23-11( 2 female cubs approximately 8lbs & 12 lbs)(1 smaller male cub weighing approximatly 6 lbs-he was caught later that day up in the tree where his siblings were rescued too) 2 cubs delivered 5-23-11by Game warden Mike Pierre & 1 cub delivered from a biologist following day 5-24-11.(Cubs were from Standish)

6-28-11 (6) Cubs were Eartagged & weighed.

Biologist Chuck Hulsey & Bob Cordes assisted with this process ,along with Dawn Brown,Michael Brown,Richard Hulsey

1 Male Enfield bear estimated weight 25 lbs -- Ear tag # 181 (white) ID# 2936

1 female Standish bear weight 23 lbs --Ear tag # 180 (white) ID#2938

1 male Standish bear weight 26 lbs -- Ear tag #183 (white)ID#2939

1 male Enfield bear weight 22 lbs -- Ear tag #182 (white)ID#2937

1 female Standish bear weight 24 lbs -- Ear tag #184 (white)ID#2940

1 female Orlando bear wieght 22 lbs -- Ear tag #179 (white)ID#2925

All were give 2% lidocaine in the ears. The 1st 3 bears handled were given 0.2 cc of Pen. G. The last 3 bears were given 0.25 cc Pen G.

*7-2-11 Dawn & Michael released the 6 cubs into the 3 acre bear pen

Update: 8-23-11 the 3 Standish bear cub trio were releaed to the wild: Biologist Randy Cross,and Lisa Bates from MDIFW released the cubs.As soon as I hear some news on their Winter local/den site ;I will update any new data.
UPDATE: I have great news !:o) I heard from biologist Randy Cross about the Standish trio cubs; They have all been located now, and they too now have their own individual names, and each has certainly shown its own animality :o) The Pilot had found 2 of the 3 orphans (1 )female is just East of where she was released about 3/4 mile NE of Weeks Pd (she is on slow mode which is a good indication that she is probably denned). The other female is a mile farther ENE. Update: The pilot had found the missing orphan Male. About 17 miles SE of the release point - about 2 1/2 miles West of Oxbow Village; 3/4 mile S of the Aroostook River. Since they are clearly all on their own and denning separately, it will be helpful to give them names (they are still the Standish Trio, collectively). We'll refer to the wanderer being the Male as "Oxbow" and the Female, "Miles", and the remaining Female near the release site, " Sandy".

UPDATE: Biologist Randy Cross/ Den Checked TheStandish Trio:

(Sandy ,a female weighing 41 lbs.)(Miles", a female,weighing 42lbs., and was extremely feisty)("Oxbow", a male weighed 54lbs.) All three of the bears had excellent dens, and acted very much like wild bears, if not better.