Our Hope Button

Hope, first-born cub of Lily, the Black Bear, was killed on the evening of Friday the 16th. 2011. Hope meant so much to us on so many levels that it’s hard to get past her death. For many, she still lives on in our hearts. She touched people deeply with her struggles to survive with thousands cheering her on. Her family had some hurdles along the way but developed a long-lasting family relationship. Hope struggled against terrible odds to survive. In the process, she taught more people about black bears than any bear in the world. She brought thousands together and ultimately reached millions through the internet and three TV documentaries. Digital art by Rebecca Hamilton, based on a photo from the Wildlife Research Institute.