These pictures were taken from only about 20 m away at around 9:15 pm. They were literally on our doorstep.
Mama bear was not far behind...
Now grizzlies frequent the area and are almost never a problem - they usually stay away from people and just pass through. But this gal was facing a late, cold spring with nothing to eat and an additional 3 very large mouths to feed.
We have a small farm with purebred Shetland sheep and llamas (among other critters) and they unfortunately made very good eating. Out of 9 sheep and 2 llamas, we now have 2 sheep and one llama left. The bears destroyed animals, fences, gates - literally ransacked our farm. They went through the electric fence like it wasn't even there. Nothing we could do stopped them. Noise, lights, snares, baited barrel traps.
We did manage to snare and relocate a male cub. The dumbest one in getting caught turned out to be the smartest.
Mama bear then ditched her remaining cubs to fend for themselves (they were nearly adults, after all) and we didn't hear from them for another couple of weeks. But baby bears learn from the their mamas and liked the taste of lamb. The conservation officers shot the remaining 2 cubs.
To say we were devastated would be an understatement. Both for ourselves and for the cubs. But, as with all things, there are lessons to be learned - personal and artistic, as well as farming lessons. More to come on these...
Mama is still at large though. Has she been taught a lesson? Will she come back with new cubs next year?
