As you know, if you’ve been following us, all but 6 of our yearlings were released recently.  Eleanor, our “cinnamon” colored bear (black bears do come in several colors: black, brown, reddish-brown or cinnamon, even white and blue-gray) is taking on the mothering role with the other, smaller yearlings.  The interesting fact is that all of these little bears are the same age – they were born in January 2011!  Because of the poor natural food supply last year, they didn’t grow as fast as normal, and were fortunate in being rescued by wildlife officers who brought them to ABR.  Here is a photo of Eleanor tending to one of the smaller bears.

And here is Eleanor and her “family” in their den.  Can you count all 6 bears?

It always amazes us how female yearlings will take on the role of mother, even though their “babies,” though somewhat smaller, are the same age.