Photos by Simone Heinrich
It’s baby time in Jasper—elk calves, moose calves, sheep lambs and goat kids are out as well as goslings, ducklings owlets…and bear cubs.
Bear cubs are full of energy and can provide some great entertainment when there are safe viewing opportunities. These tiny daredevils will often climb very high in a tree and engage in playful behaviour at great heights. They’ll step out onto very small branches or chase each other. Although they can occasionally fall out, the cubs are quite comfortable up there and can sleep on a limb or wrapped around a tree trunk.
On the ground, bear cubs they will entertain themselves with sticks, logs and other natural objects. When not sleeping or nursing, they will play and wrestle, building up their strength and stamina. All of this playfulness is also for safety. They are constantly under their mother’s watchful eye; when she senses danger, she will give them a signal and they will stick close to her or head up a tree out of harm’s way.
At this stage of their development, bear cubs are nursing and won’t move to solid foods until later in the summer. While mom is grazing on grass and dandelions, or picking buds and catkins off poplar trees, cubs have to behave and stay close. Sometimes she will need to discipline them with a gentle cuff with her paw.
As the summer season progresses, the little furballs will grow into bigger butterballs and start to eat solid food. The first year of a bear’s life is full of playfulness, but they will also be learning plenty of new skills to help them on their journey to adulthood.
Even if an animal appears unconcerned by your presence, this is not an invitation to get comfortable. Do not approach or entice wildlife. Use binoculars or a telephoto lens instead. Remain at least 100 metres away from bears. In the past 10 years, 125 bears have been killed on roads in the mountain national parks. Slow down, remain in your vehicle, pull over safely, out of traffic and if you are getting a photo, move on after a few minutes.
Trish Tremblay // info@thejasperlocal.com
