OPERATION DIVOT SUCCEEDS!

Teams began looking for Divot around Brooks Camp at 6:00 am. At around 9:00am we sent a boat out to look for her along the lakeshore, and she was seen approximately in the same spot as yesterday. The rest of us mobilized and arrived where Divot had been seen and she was nowhere to be found. Once again, we retired to the boats so as to have a better look along the shore. About 12:20 Alaska time she appeared, we moved into position and were able to get a clean shot. Within about 3 or 4 minutes Divot was sleeping soundly on the beach. The team moved in, removed the wire snare (it was indeed a snare–please don’t jump to any conclusions about the snare–right now we want to focus on the success of the mission). While deep (a little more than an inch all the way around), it had not severed anything critical. It was cleaned and liberally doused with Betadine disinfectant. We have every reason to believe she will make a full recovery. Throughout the entire time we were with her, about 45 minutes, her cub stayed pretty close, keeping an eye on us, and occasionally calling out for Divot. After about an hour she picked up her head, at 1:20 mins she attempted to get up, but was still pretty “drunk”. Ranger Mike and several others waited with her until she was fully mobile.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014 2:36PM AK – Ranger Roy
Update: I will make this short, and then be available to answer questions later. We arrived where Divot had been seen and she was nowhere to be found. Once again, we retired to the boats so as to have a better look along the shore. About 12:20 Alaska time she appeared, we moved into position and were able to get a clean shot. Within about 3 or 4 minutes Divot was sleeping soundly on the beach. The team moved in, removed the wire snare (it was indeed a snare–please don’t jump to any conclusions about the snare–right now we want to focus on the success of the mission). While deep (a little more than an inch all the way around), it had not severed anything critical. It was cleaned and liberally doused with Betadyn disinfectant. We have every reason to believe she will make a full recovery. Throughout the entire time we were with her, about 45 minutes, her cub stayed pretty close, keeping an eye on us, and occasionally calling out for Divot. After about an hour she picked up her head, at 1:20 mins she attempted to get up, but is still pretty “drunk”. Ranger Mike and several others are with her still, waiting until she is fully mobile. I’ll have photos and videos later. Right now I need to run off to the river to address an issue with “Bear Hat Bear”, Bear 500, our newest numbered bear.

http://explore.org/live-cams/player/brown-bear-salmon-cam-lower-river#comment-1513466792

Wednesday, July 30, 2014 4:23PM AK – Ranger Roy Edit
To give you all an idea who was involved with the Divot Mission, here is a list:

Ranger Grant-Wildlife Biologist and guy with the skill and license to tranquilize wildlife
Ranger Sherri–The park’s wildlife biologist
Ranger Michael S–Bear Tech
Ranger Leslie–Bear Monitor
Ranger Chad–Boat captain
Ranger Matthew–Boat Captain
Ranger Aaron–Park Interpretive Ranger
Ranger Mike F–Media Ranger Ranger Roy

The entire Brooks Camp staff that kept their eyes peeled for Divot, and kept camp running during our days away looking for her.

The entire King Salmon staff that located resources and transported people and gear to and from Brooks Camp

http://explore.org/live-cams/player/brown-bear-salmon-cam-lower-river#comment-1513758196

Wednesday, July 30, 2014 6:00PM AK – Ranger MikeEdit

Good evening from Brooks Camp. I just got back about an hour ago. I was out in the boat with other staff monitoring 854 Divot as the effects of the tranquilizer wore off. When we left the bear at 4:30 PM, the family was still on the beach and the cub had nursed for a few moments. Hopefully, our efforts gave 854 Divot a chance to heal. Attached are a few photos from today.
The first photo is Sherri Anderson and Grant Hildebrant treating Divot. They removed the snare, applied an iodine-like liquid (betadyn) to her wound, took blood and hair samples as well as applied a lip tattoo.

The second photo is 854 Divot after we treated her and moved her off of the beach. We moved her away from the water so that when the tranquilizer’s effects began to wear off, she didn’t fall into the water and potentially drown.

The third and fourth photos are of Divot after she moved slightly down to beach. Her state at that point in time, about 1-2 hours after being tranquilized, is best described as extremely intoxicated. She can move, but doesn’t have full control of her legs and really couldn’t stand up.

http://explore.org/live-cams/player/brown-bear-salmon-cam-lower-river#comment-1514017406

Wednesday, July 30, 2014 6:33PM AKDT – Ranger Jeanne Edit
Divot Map by Ranger Jeanne 073014
Ranger Jeanne’s Divot Location Map 073014
Ranger Roy posted photos of 854 Divot with the snare around her neck on July 28. Those photos were taken at Brooks Camp by Michael S, a bear technician. After seeing them, CalliopeJane realized she had seen the same bear near King Salmon and posted her photo. Here is a map with some of Divot’s locations marked. The coordinate marked July 24 is where CalliopeJane took her photo. The July 29 coordinate is the approximate location where Divot was tranquilized today. The green lines mark the park boundary.
http://explore.org/live-cams/player/brown-bear-salmon-cam-lower-river#comment-1514167213

Thursday, July 31, 2014 4:23PM AKDT – Ranger Roy Edit
We went to check on Divot today. She was sleeping off her “hangover” on the beach while her cub caught a fish in the lake. We watched for a few minutes and then she got up and walked down the beach away from us. So it seems she is doing well.

http://explore.org/live-cams/player/brown-bear-salmon-cam-lower-river#comment-1517394255