The Story of Edna
TimeOut.jpg - 11.75 K
Edna is an incredibly unique bear I have studied for three years now. Pictured above, you'll find her taking a break from fishing against the local fish ladder. I call the image "Time Out". Edna has more character than other bears I've photographed with the exception of Bruno.
Edna is 5-6 years old making her a prime candidate for motherhood which means I could find her with cubs next spring, providing she puts on enough weight to survive the winter and is able to stay out of the "sights" of hunters.

Through a remarkable process known as delayed implantation, a fertilized egg will divide and float free within the uterus for six months.

During hibernation, the embryo will attach itself to the uterine wall and the cubs will be born after an eight week period while the mother sleeps (January or February).

This process is important to the survival of the mother. Should she not gain enough weight to carry her through the winter, the embryo will not implant and be reabsorbed by the body.

The average number of cubs born is two to three, though I have seen bears with as many as four. Age, geographic location and food supply influence the size of a bears litter.

The number of cubs a female will have increases as she gets older. At birth, the cubs are blind, toothless, hairless and very tiny weighing less than 1 pound.

Shadow of The Bear