Billie Bear

A very dear friend of mine told me the tale of his misadventure a few years ago when he became lost in the woods. It was autumn and fairly nippy so he needed to find shelter to keep warm and safe. He was lost for a couple of days but through it all had confidence that his friends would find him and bring him out. That is in fact the case and he was airlifted from the bush by helicopter and brought to safety.

I cannot even begin to imagine how I would react if I were to become lost in the woods. I do not have the skills necessary to survive. I have never been trained or shown how to deal with a situation such as this. I can only assume that instinctively I would attempt to seek cover and save myself.

Our latest addition to the AVWS family is a tiny little bear who for reasons we shall never know became a victim of the winter, lost and lone in a struggle to survive. Billie Bear, named for the road on which he was found. was discovered hanging around the property of Jeanette H. He had spent time up in her trees and had made a little nest at the base of the tree in an attempt to stay warm and dry.

I shall now turn this article over to Carolyn Paterson who has been instrumental in the saving of Billie Bear. I thank her for this wonderful letter she has allowed us to reprint in this article:

‘Billie Bear’

"Little Bear” (as I had been calling him) wandered into the neighbourhood from quite a way I suspect.  I tracked her as far as I could the afternoon she presented herself, and that was only about 1 km - until the tracks led up into the high hills behind our place and through very deep snow. I could see where she had bedded in to underbrush when it was available, and stuck to the high ground of the snow banks on the sides of the lane when she could.  
 
She made a bed at the base of a tree at John and Jeannette's with sticks and was in every way very savvy in her bear ways!  I couldn't believe the size of her  - so small.  (Obviously by the weight you got (14 lbs!)) When I checked the trap that late afternoon before I called you, she 'charged' the door, and it confirmed her strength and amazing determination.  We left her completely alone after covering the trap with blankets - understanding that human contact was only a liability to her.

Little Billie Bear must have an amazing story - if only she could tell us!  ... and her story continues with you and your wonderful commitment to wildlife!
 
I have lived here all my life, and as a professional ecologist and nature enthusiast, I understood the significance of not nurturing the bear from a human standpoint.  (oh how our hearts tempt us) It was important not to feed the little desperado...it was important to find an alternative.  The longer she stayed here, the worse it would become for her.
 
Thank-you Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary for being on the scene so quickly and enthusiastically!  
 
You are very busy people with a most admirable mission. 
 
I would like to keep in touch with you about Little Billie Bear, as much as possible.  She is a gift.
 
Side Note:  "Billie" (of Billie Bear Road) is the nickname of a woman named Mabel Hart Brook, who pioneered here and owned and ran 'Camp Billie Bear’ as a tourist destination over a century ago.  She was a well known conservationist and naturalist, and is still honoured in our community every day via the 'Mabel Hart Brook Marion Hill Memorial Foundation' Conservation lands, which is a community managed conservation property in our township.  I think Billie (the) Bear is just the perfect name for this little guy/girl!
 
Thinking about you and 'Billie' and all your charges at the AVWS!
 
Carolyn