Second Chance Wildlife, Inc. www.beartodream.org

3-1-13 (4) cubs of the year arrived

Surrogate sow/Mom bears were found for them,visit fb page to learn more:o)

3-27-13 (3 tiny cubs arrived In need of care)

Logging Inncedent.

I have gone from 4 bottle feedings. to 3,to 2..

On 3-27-13 (weights=1 female 2lbs,1 male 2-1/2 lbs,1 male 2-1/2 lbs)

I,Dawn have been a Maine licensed wildlife rehabilitator since 1997:My wildlife rehabilitation permit was acquired through: The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.I am the Founder,President & executive director and primary caretaker for Second Chance Wildlife Inc. I feel very blessed having the opportunity to observe and document cub behavior over the years too, and I will continue to learn,as well as others who are inspired by this amazing species. I absolutely love talking about bears and being asked questions.

My Email: dawnbrown@hciwireless.net & Phone 207.778.7902 (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)

2012 bear cub rehabilitation

3-20-12 (8/9 week old cubs)

Immediate care 3 Male cubs arrived 5-29-12

Weights: 5lbs,6 1/2lbs,7 lbs ( Cubs are doing well :o)

2012 autumn;the cubs are doing well :o)

(5) UNDERWEIGHT BEAR CUBS ARRIVED;Were tagged,weighed,measured on 1-8-13;They all gained weight-3 are very chub cubs,and 2 smaller but gaining..:o)
(10-31-12 (1) male cub weighing 11½ lbs) (11-1-12 (1) male cub weighing 12 lbs) (11-19-12 (1) female cub weighing 16lbs)(11-21-12 (1) moose calf/cow underweight)(11-25-12 (1) male bear cub weighing 14 lbs) (12-21-12 (1)Female bear cub weighing 16lbs
I am very happy to say that they seem to be doing well! One day at a time...I will update more Information soon...
2012 Total = (14 bear cubs (2) were soft released,and (2) that are almost yearlings are denning out in the woods/wild,(5) are in the smaller bear pen,and arrived late,and another one just arrived December 21st;they were underweight and needed care.(5 bears are in the den box sleeping torpor) (2013(4) cubs arrived and surrogate sows were found for the cubs.I will only rehabilitate,and observe bears now.I will no longer rehabilitate cervids .The deer will be released sometime this Spring.

I will do slide show presentations for those who would like to learn more about bears:o) Second Chance Wildlife Inc.'s mission,along with others Is vital so that others may better understand the truths,and the myths about bears.If libraries,State Parks,Conservation Groups,Public Schools, Private Schools,Charter Schools,Schools of Faith,Churches, The Scouts,and others who are interested In learning about bear rehabilitation,development, and behavior,and bear conservation; I will gladly try to schedule a time frame that works. I do work for a living but will do the best I can.

Update 10-8-12 : I am happy to say that the Ins.Co. has covered the cost for us to replace some cams,netport,monitor.. that were damaged/destroyed by a lightning storm.I will keep everyone informed...It will take a bit of time to get everything up & running,and I need to make sure that we have safeguards in place;being in reference to protecting the cams,dvr,netport from potential lightning damage! Please be patient. Thanks :o) Dawn

2012 bear cub rehabilitation

7 bear cubs in 3 acre facility(7-16-12=6 month old cubs just being bears:o)

My vet had to suture this injured bear cub.

Cub wounded warrior has healed and is doing great!

Six bear cubs in the 3 acre pen:o) 2011

Cubs resting in an Oak tree:Bear habitat "Bear cub rehabilitation"

I have noticed over the years from placing bear cubs in a natural habitat that they have indeed had an opportunity to use their natural bear skills,and instincts, that they seem to visibly already have in place from the get go;the cubs simply needed an opportunity of being exposed to an environment that is similar to what bears in the wild have.The bear facilities give the orphaned cubs protection,and I truly believe that the mother sow intent is to protect the cubs rather than teach them.I am not saying that they may not learn from her at all ,but as I state documented facts=thus being ; I have never had to teach the cubs how to climb trees,swim,or forage; they did this all on their own.Once bear cubs are placed in the 3 acre natural habitat rehabilitation facility;they are being exsposed to what bears need most;bear habitat, so that they can explore, and indeed use the skills, that they already have in place;they enhance their skills naturally.ALLOWING BEARS TO BE BEARS IS THE KEY:o)

"Bur Cub" 8-15-10 in a beech tree at SCWI

8-16-10 Bur was released with a satellite collar,ear tagged,weight 44lbs.

10cc fast balance GI 3x daily

Bur was in the: DownEast Study

6-6-10 (7lb 4oz male cub)

Dawn with the new arrival "BUR" the bear cub.

Rain=cubs & yearling bears going up in trees

Cub Lubec

Blackberry Bushes thick in the smaller bear pen

Cub Lubec liked the thick cover the pen provided

Keeping wild animals in need of rehabilitation WILD! Time gives experience,and teaches much on what to do ,and what not to do. Understanding wild animal behavior allows an animal to have human avoidance behavior (Take note:giving them space,leaves them not wanting anything to do with you=(avoidance),and in turn makes it aware to them that you want nothing to do with them either=keeping them wild.Though some wildlife rehabilitators may have a bit different view on this issue than I...to me, it is what seems to be working best over the long haul of experience.(I keep records,and believe it is critical to understanding what may be in the best interest of the animal.After the rehabilitation process,it is helpful when animals can be monitored collard,ear tagged,tattooed by biologist so we know what is working & what is not.

"Coplin" way up in the tree! 3 acre pen 5-18-10

He is doing well=using his skills in the large enclosure,he forages & is still getting supplements.

Coplin was ear tagged & tattooed

released 6-17-10

The little male yearling bear named "Coplin" went into the 3 acre pen on 5-17-10

The 23 lb yearling was very lethargic for the first couple days. I have been feeding out supplements to help the little one along.I guess it was quite an event for this little bear.He was located up in Rangeley/coplin plantation-John Cochese had called Game warden Reggie Hammond ,and had told him the bear was hanging around for a few days on his porch,and in his barn,and that it seemed hungry.There was quite a bit of food that this bear was getting into.The little bear had been caught eventually with a catch pole;that being a bit of a process in itself,we were told.The little bear had been in the carrier for a while,and then on the road traveling too..by the time we had gone to pick him up in Farmington,the little bear seemed very tired,and under stress.The supplements I have been administering have turned him around completely within a few days. I have been monitoring behavior, and health frequently, making sure everything is okay ;to the best of my ability=whenever we are not at work.I think the peacefulness,and the quiet where we are located has helped the little yearling relax, and heal too.Now that the Little bear "Coplin" seems to be feeling so much better, we had moved him into the 3 acre pen on 5-17-10 ; so he can just be a bear! This little bear will be released once showing a bit of growth, while also gaining more strength;the 3 acre pen will help greatly with this process!

Correspondence from biologist Randy Cross:Most bears that weigh over 20 lbs in the den do survive, by the skin of their teeth maybe, but they usually do make it. 40-50 lbs is closer to the average we've been seeing in recent years. Weight is only a relative measure of body condition - a 25 lber can be a little butterball or a skinny bear. This one appears to be more the latter.6-17-10 Coplin the bear was released back to the wild.He took off into the woods, and disappeared.There were lots of wild strawberries around; everywhere we had looked.On 5-11-10 Coplin weighed 23 lbs on arrival.On 6-17-10 Coplin weighed 48 lbs when released.

Biologist James Hall said the Bear cub was around a residence for about two weeks, no sign of the mother.He said the Cub was feeding in a commercial compost pile and was curled up on the individuals porch and stayed around the house for the entire period.He said the owner called an ADC agent and was concerned about the cub and wanted to know if he caught it would someone take care of it.He also added that the Cub was very tame, could walk right up to it. Not aggressive at all, owner borrowed a catch pole, and enticed the cub with food & the cub came right over .No reported car/bear accidents or known shootings. There are active blueberry fields nearby with bee hives, female could have been shot? The bear was picked up on the Dixie Road in South Lubec. Agent who picked up the cub was Dayrl McCurdy.
-I would like to say thanks to Biologist Tom Schaffer who had first called about the little cub,James Hall,Daryl McCurdy, and all the other folks involved with wanting to help this little bear cub.

This cub is still elusive even in the smaller pen,the only reason I am even able to get a photo is because it hides in the log whenever it hears something; I am able to take a quick photo at the entrance of the log.Just recently when there was a break in the weather,and while also outgrowing the hollow log; cub lubec is foraging, and resting in the blackberry patch. When the little cub goes into the large facility It will more difficult to monnitor its behavior, health...for it hides so much of the time.(Need more monitor cameras) If there was more than one cub in rehabilitation at this time, odds are they would be in the larger pen because I believe there would probably be a bit more visible cub activity.I am going to give this cub just a bit longer before the big move into the large pen, by also preventing any worries of any possible escape i,e, I have had very young cubs in the large pen prior, but they were raised from neonates and were larger than cubs in the wild (Biologist Randy Cross said Maine Cubs in the wild in June can weigh anywhere from 12 lbs to 17 lbs.) Cubs I had started in rehab from neonates had weighed in the month of June were 36 lbs & 38 lbs big difference! These cubs were in the larger pen at a much younger age,as you will see if you view the website-these same cubs in the month of March weighed 13 lbs.

A Note To The General Public:Bears will end up in your yard, near your home, or if you are camping; bears could possibly show up at your campsite:DO NOT FEED THE BEARS! Bear rehabilitation carries out a process of some supplemental feeding that may be necessary to help bear cubs,and/or yearlings that may be malnourished,and also when cubs may become orphaned,and may need just a bit of a boost in the beginning to help grow and develop properly. Here at Second Chance Wildlife a large % of a bears diet consist of what they would consume in the WILD! Keeping bears wild,and preventing conflicts between bears and people is crucial.If the general public ever comes across a wild animal that they feel may be in need of help/immediate care;do not go near it ! Call a Wildlife biologist and/or Game warden, Animal control officer, or a licenced Wildlife Rehabilitator who specializes in bears to help assess the situation, and make sure the animal is in need of care to begin with."If You Care Leave Them There" This little cub was in need of rehabilitation for it is believed to have been orphaned,little cub is doing very well! He goes into the hollow log, and hides when I go to feed him some supplements that are needed at this time.This cub is also forging in the smaller of the two pens, and has dug at the logs diligently,it also has made a couple day beds,and has runways through the blackberry bushes, this cub seems to have good cub behavior-the pen is thick with blackberry bushes,dandelion greens,grasses, small trees/logs... giving the little cub great cover.The cub just needs to do a bit of growing (Supplemental feeding consist of e.g. esbilac milk formula,puppy chow in a dish,fruit, while also foraging on greens,larvae....) bear cubs in the wild are weaned at approximately 5 months age from the mother sow.In rehabilitation I work on weaning cubs much earlier from the bottle.This little cub seems pretty content and docile while in the natural environment that is helping that exposes the cub to use its skills that are in place.It would be a bit better if there was another cub for "lubec" to be with; while in rehabilitation,but I am happy to say ;that little growing Lubec seems to have good cub skills for being a single cub. I hope to be able to have the cub go into the 3 acre bear pen soon;then it will have the opportunity to climb tall trees,swim,forage on a variety of natural feed;letting me have an oppertunity to monitor the cubs potential skills,and behavior prior to release.On rainy days Cub Lubec has been in his log for the most part -the rainy weather has put a damper on him exploring...rain ,rain go away and come back another day!!! I have noticed that the cub has been dragging grasses into the log;making it a bit more comfortable,while adding more camouflage at the entrance of the hollow log.(good behavior).When the rain subsides you can see where the cub's activity is visible throughout the pen.(little cub territory) Take Note:As time went on Lubec grew and developed amazingly well for being a single cub In rehab=he never seemed lonely, and too had kept his wild instinctive behavior.Lubec contributed very Good data during rehab and after being released to the wild at 9 months age=he had proved that he could successfully den up on his own, and wake up in the Spring, and do fine throughout the Summer into autumn= This rehabilitation process had worked well for this particular cub being released at 9 months age.

Lubec in 3 acre pen photo 10-11-09

Released into the wild on 10-16-09

This three acre bear rehabilitation/temporary sanctuary pen gives bears an opportunity to just be bears; while also preparing them to return to the wild ! Having a chance to monitor bear behavior has been rewarding -the learning never ends.

Dawn L. Brown: Maine bear rehabilitator

" Ice the bear" Time gives answers to so many questions!

The cubs in this beautiful three acre pen; I must say that these cubs had many abilities at a very young age. They were climbing trees, walking in the snow, and swimming, at a bit over three months of age,and ironically Ice & Frosty once placed in an environment with trees & water had seemed to have development a bit faster physically with their skills; to swim,and climb trees, compared to even bear cubs that I have received at:4-5 months of age, that had been orphaned after had been out of their den with their mother sow=bear cubs in the wild may not disburse from their den In the Northern parts of the State; as late as the later part of April,and even into early May.though Ice & Frosty were attached/dependant to me, from having beenraised from neonates,they too were exposed to the natural elements at an earlier age, thus proving they indeed have great skills/natural instinks in place when exposed to a natural Invironment.The biggest Task with neonates, for me has indeed been trying to figure out how to have them be instinctively wild mentally , not just physically= I noticed that by exposing the cubs to the wild elements at a very young age that they have unbelievable capabilities,and natural instincts in place! I too noticed that from having them from a neonatal stage, and having had to bottle feed every 2-4 hrs, in the beginning of their development; my presence made them feel secure and safe, but as far as them learning skills once they were exposed to the natural habitat enclosure; I was then more of an observer than a teacher. The cubs did not need me to teach them how to swim, climb trees, or forage. Were the cubs scared when they were 50-60 feet up in a tree ? Yes! But they got down on their own without any help, and soon had no fear what-so-ever. As cubs I exposed them to a variety of natural foods. I ground acorns and hazelnuts, berries, larvae, and greens and mixed it in their formula. Not sure if this helped them to forage or not. I believe it would come naturally to them. I continue to learn from this incredible species. In the wild, when cubs are with mother sow the biggest thing she does is protect and teach them to be cautious. A huge part of survival! In rehabilitation, cubs are not experiencing the same "dangers" that they would while in the wild with mother. Their innate survival skills are developed within our large natural enclosure. I have seen the cubs get startled and go way up in a tree (this is great human avoidance behavior). Some cubs are better at this than others. All have unique "animalities".Over time we will learn the most beneficial time to release bears (i.e., cubs or yearlings during active season or den season) Bears at Second ChanceWildlife, Inc.is to be reckoned for having one of the best natural habitat; bear rehabilitation facilities in the Country ,and the # goal is have bears be returned to the wild,just being bears,and living their lives similar to other bears within the population:o)
Cubs like Lubec that had been with the mother sow for a period of time i.e.,4+ months;he had held onto very wild traits/instincts, making an earlier release very promising for him (late summer? ,but fall/autumn release worked well)
Very young neonatal cubs in rehab;I believe from experience should either go into a den with a surrogate sow/ if the option is available, or be released into a pre-made winter den/or den box the following year,or be released at 16 months typical dispersement from the mother sow in the wild.The reasoning for a later release? is because I have come to the conclusion that if a bear sow cannot be found for surrogation the neonates ,then the next best option is for neonatal cubs to stay in rehabilitation longer, so that they can actually mature mentally,and develop their natural skills within the 3 acre bear natural habitat enclosure.Neonatal cub rehabilitation is difficult from the get-go ,and such young cubs can be imprinted; I continuously observe and document stages of development whenever the opportunity arises,and too look at every option that is accessible to prevent them from becoming habituated to humans.Bear cubs such as Lubec arriving at approximately 4 months, can do very well being released at a younger age; because he had spent a bit of time with his mother in the wild too after exiting the den;this allowing him to gain complete human avoidance,and being very wild from the beginning.Take Note: Though he only weighed 10 lbs on arrival he was exposed to a complete natural environment.My goal is to duplicate this as much as feasibly can be done while cubs are in rehabilitation under my care.
Positive outlook for neonatal cubs:As neonatal cubs develop in a natural environment, such as our bear facilities,they can eventually develop mentally,and physically similar to bear cubs in the wild; being given the oppertunity to exibit their skills/instictive behavior,and they will be released back to the wild successfully i.e.,yearling "Ice" being released into a winter den the following year has proved to be very effective,and had created a successful release; by her spending time out in the wild prior to waking, seems to have been a + too :o)

5-14-10

23 lb Small bear yearling/ approximately 16 moths old

If you come across an orphaned or injured bear please contact your local Maine Game Warden,and /or biologist..They will asses the situation to see If the bear and/or cub is in need of care,and will hopefully contact Second Chance Wildlife, Inc. Bear rehabilitation,research & release. Dispatch Centers:

Augusta
1-800-452-4664

Orono
1-800-432-7381

Houlton
1-800-924-2261

Dover-Foxcroft
1-800-432-7372

7-4-10 BUR the cub doing well!

He went into the 3 acre pen 7-18-10

6-15-10 coplin in 3 acre pen foraging

HE WAS RELEASED 6-17-10

7-25-10 Bur cub way up in oak tree (3 acre pen)

Bur cub in smaller bear pen

exhibiting wild cub behavior

Some supplement feeding can be necessary

Puppy chow,esbilac,fast balance-G.I.,bene-bac,and it is also foraging too!