One hundred years ago, American Chestnuts were the first choice of bears and other wildlife for fall eating, and in the case of bears, for bulking up during hyperphagia. We have mentioned that in the early part of the twentieth century a blight wiped out the chestnuts, eliminating that vital source of nutrition. Scientists have been working to find or develop a resistant variety of this all-important tree. Chinese chestnuts are resistant, and there are some places where they grow. A couple of ABR friends do have a stand of the Chinese chestnuts, and were kind enough to allow some of our volunteers to come and gather some of the tasty nuts for our cubs. Here is how it went.
Here is the grove of chestnut trees.One tray of the nuts.Back at ABR, the nuts are spread out with a fan blowing to dry them.Barley Bear decided right away that these were good to eat!He ate as many chestnuts as he could find.After eating, Barley looked very happy.Hops Bear wondered what was going on. He wasn’t too excited.But on second thought, after seeing Barley gobbling up the nuts, Hops tried them and found that Barley was right!He peeked out from behind the tree, as if a little ashamed of his first reaction.Lemon Drop finally arrived on the scene and Barley seems to be telling her about the new nuts.Cosmo ate some chestnuts. He is becoming very chubby!India Bear seems to be pleased with the new food.India Bear strikes a Rubenesque pose and looks very much like a model from a Rubens painting, with her plump belly and graceful arms.
We never know what our cubs will do next – they are as unpredictable as young children, and every bit as much fun to watch as they learn and grow! Stay tuned.
