Biologist with black bear cub

The biologist pictured was assisting the Minnesota National Guard and Minnesota Dept of Natural Resources with their annual black bear hibernation study on Camp Ripley on March 3, 2020. Bear researchers allow volunteers to participate in the survey work by keeping bear cubs warm while the mother bear is being examined, measured, weighed, and fitted with a new radio collar. The study on Camp Ripley is part of a statewide research project conducted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources designed to monitor body condition; movements and reproductive success of black bears in the northern, central and southern parts of Minnesota's bear range.