Hope, a wild American black bear, is the yearling daughter of 4-year-old Lily and part of the long-yerm study of black bear ecology and behavior counducted by biologist Lynn Rogers of the Wildlife Research Institute near Ely, Minnesota. Hope's birth was broadcast live to over 25,000 viewers on January 22, 2010. Shortly afgter the birth, Hope's tiny paw reached out to touch Lily's nose as people around the world watched in awe... and fell in love.

Unfortunately one cub was not enough to keep Lily from coming into estrus last spring. Lily abandoned Hope during the May mating season. Five days later, Hope was found, 2 miles from where she was abandoned, and reunited with Lily. However, by then Lily's milk duct were clogged and Hope became weaker and weaker trying to keep up with Lily. Researchers stepped in and began feeding Hope a special formula. When Lily abandoned Hope a second time, no attempt was made to reunite them.

Reachers set up a feeding station to keep Hope alive until wild foods became available and she could forage on her own. They also placed a tiny radio-collar on Hope so they could monitor her movements. Hope thrived. Eventually Hope and Lily crossed paths and reunited on their own. They travelled and foraged together through the late summer and fall, and they denned together in late October.

Lily is probably pregnant. If she gives birth in late January, we will have the rare opportunity of observing a mixed age litter, new cubs and a yearling from last year's litter. How will Hope react to new cubs?

To learn more about bears and this bear research visit the North American Bear Center at www.bear.org and the Wildlife Research Institute at www.bearstudy.org.