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First wild bear birth filmed live First wild bear birth filmed live
(10 minutes later)
The birth of a wild bear may be shown live on the internet, scientists hope. The first ever recorded birth of a wild bear may be shown live on the internet.
Bear biologist Professor Lynn Rogers has placed a webcam into the den of a pregnant wild black bear living in the woods of northern Minnesota, US.Bear biologist Professor Lynn Rogers has placed a webcam into the den of a pregnant wild black bear living in the woods of northern Minnesota, US.
He expects the bear, named Lily, to give birth in the coming days, an event never before filmed in the wild. He expects the bear, named Lily, to give birth in the coming days, an event never before seen in the wild.
The footage, which is being streamed live via the so-called "bearcam", should provide scientists with valuable new insights into bear behaviour.The footage, which is being streamed live via the so-called "bearcam", should provide scientists with valuable new insights into bear behaviour.
We expect this to be the first wild birth of a bear recorded Prof Lynn Rogers Watch Lily live via webcamWe expect this to be the first wild birth of a bear recorded Prof Lynn Rogers Watch Lily live via webcam
"We're putting it there because there is so much that we don't know about what bears do in dens and what behaviour they have leading up to giving birth. And how they take care of the cubs," Prof Rogers told the BBC."We're putting it there because there is so much that we don't know about what bears do in dens and what behaviour they have leading up to giving birth. And how they take care of the cubs," Prof Rogers told the BBC.
"When we are there watching them, we always wonder how much of their wakefulness that we see is because of our presence. This gives us a chance to see what they do when no one is around," he adds."When we are there watching them, we always wonder how much of their wakefulness that we see is because of our presence. This gives us a chance to see what they do when no one is around," he adds.
"Another reason is that the best way the public can get to know bears and get over all the misconceptions that most people have is to learn directly from the bears themselves, and this is part of that.""Another reason is that the best way the public can get to know bears and get over all the misconceptions that most people have is to learn directly from the bears themselves, and this is part of that."
Webcam starWebcam star
Prof Rogers has spent the past 43 years studying black bears, and is regarded as a leading authority on their behaviour and ecology.Prof Rogers has spent the past 43 years studying black bears, and is regarded as a leading authority on their behaviour and ecology.
During that time, he has developed a special relationship with the bears he studies.During that time, he has developed a special relationship with the bears he studies.
Rather than tranquilise the bears, he has habituated them to his presence, a technique which allowed him to approach Lily's den and set up the webcam.Rather than tranquilise the bears, he has habituated them to his presence, a technique which allowed him to approach Lily's den and set up the webcam.
Prof Rogers studies Lily's mother June in her own denProf Rogers studies Lily's mother June in her own den
That trust allows Prof Rogers and his colleagues to develop a new understanding of wild black bear (Ursus americanus) behaviour, which was depicted by the BBC natural history programme Natural World: "Bearwalker of the Northwoods".That trust allows Prof Rogers and his colleagues to develop a new understanding of wild black bear (Ursus americanus) behaviour, which was depicted by the BBC natural history programme Natural World: "Bearwalker of the Northwoods".
In that programme, Prof Rogers mostly follows a black bear called June, who is now nine years old.In that programme, Prof Rogers mostly follows a black bear called June, who is now nine years old.
Lily, the star of the new webcam who is almost three years old, is June's daughter.Lily, the star of the new webcam who is almost three years old, is June's daughter.
Black bears in north America will dig dens at anytime. But they typically mate in May or June.Black bears in north America will dig dens at anytime. But they typically mate in May or June.
However, bears are one of the few mammals that can delay the implantation of their fertilised eggs.However, bears are one of the few mammals that can delay the implantation of their fertilised eggs.
BEAR FACTS Black bear females typically produce cubs every two yearsBut when natural foods are scarce, it sometimes takes three or four years for mothers to build up enough body reserves to produce the next litterMalnourished black bear females do not successfully reproduceThe record litter size is six, produced in PennsylvaniaBEAR FACTS Black bear females typically produce cubs every two yearsBut when natural foods are scarce, it sometimes takes three or four years for mothers to build up enough body reserves to produce the next litterMalnourished black bear females do not successfully reproduceThe record litter size is six, produced in Pennsylvania
So females often do not implant the eggs until November, when the egg then develop into a foetus.So females often do not implant the eggs until November, when the egg then develop into a foetus.
During January the mother bears then tend to give birth to cubs weighing around 0.45 kg (1lb).During January the mother bears then tend to give birth to cubs weighing around 0.45 kg (1lb).
Viewers watching the webcam may likely see Lily give birth to multiple cubs.Viewers watching the webcam may likely see Lily give birth to multiple cubs.
"The most common litter size here is three cubs," says Prof Rogers."The most common litter size here is three cubs," says Prof Rogers.
The ability for bears to delay the implantation of the eggs means that, if Lily has multiple cubs, it is possible that each may have been fathered by a different male.The ability for bears to delay the implantation of the eggs means that, if Lily has multiple cubs, it is possible that each may have been fathered by a different male.
In recent days, Prof Rogers has recorded Lily's activities and measured her breathing rate. Her swollen genitals and heavy weight also indicate she is close to give birth.In recent days, Prof Rogers has recorded Lily's activities and measured her breathing rate. Her swollen genitals and heavy weight also indicate she is close to give birth.
Celebrity statusCelebrity status
"Lily's den cam is the first time anyone in the world has had a live TV feed from a wild bear den," says BBC producer Dr Ted Oakes, who filmed a recent documentary about the bears studied by Prof Rogers."Lily's den cam is the first time anyone in the world has had a live TV feed from a wild bear den," says BBC producer Dr Ted Oakes, who filmed a recent documentary about the bears studied by Prof Rogers.
"It would be helpful to the biologists if the public are able to spot the exact moment when she gives birth.""It would be helpful to the biologists if the public are able to spot the exact moment when she gives birth."
"I think it will happen quickly but I don't really know and I'm learning along with every one else," says Prof Rogers."I think it will happen quickly but I don't really know and I'm learning along with every one else," says Prof Rogers.
Lily as a cub following her mother JuneLily as a cub following her mother June
"That is one of the really neat things about this, technology has it so that everyone can learn about it at once.""That is one of the really neat things about this, technology has it so that everyone can learn about it at once."
After the birth, the cubs are not likely to open their eyes for six weeks.After the birth, the cubs are not likely to open their eyes for six weeks.
They will then stay close to the den, allowing viewers to follow the bears for the first few months of their lives.They will then stay close to the den, allowing viewers to follow the bears for the first few months of their lives.
Prof Rogers first attempted to film a wild bear giving birth ten years ago. But that bear did not go onto have cubs.Prof Rogers first attempted to film a wild bear giving birth ten years ago. But that bear did not go onto have cubs.
"We expect this to be the first wild birth of a bear recorded," he says."We expect this to be the first wild birth of a bear recorded," he says.
Lily is already becoming something of a celebrity in north America, with a Facebook page that has thousands of followers.Lily is already becoming something of a celebrity in north America, with a Facebook page that has thousands of followers.