31/05/2009

Judy Williams, her husband and their daughter (UK) were some of the lucky visitors to Bulgaria that had the incredible chance of seeing not just a bear, but a bear teaching its cub survival techniques. The Williams visited Bulgaria in late May 2009 (26-30 May 2009) to enjoy our Brown Bear and Birds Tours. Three nights in a row we were patiently waiting for a bear to come in front of one of the cozy hides while we were having a cup of tea. Every evening, after spending some time the hide, we were discussing the opportunities to see bears and our local guides were showing us a map with the bear encounters for the last week or two. Sites where about 20 bears were observed were pointed on the map. The observations included large males, fighting cups preparing themselves for their future life and female bears with cubs. However, we had not got the chance of seeing these secretive animals yet. We had seen, of course, tracks and fur left by the bears to mark their territory and it was obvious that the animals were around. By the third night the Williams started thinking it might be better to leave the animals alone, as they obviously felt comfortable where they were. Up to that point we had seen Wild Boars, Red deer and Roe deer from the hides, but no bears yet. On our last night we decided to go for a walk at dusk in the mountain area, where we usually see the Balkan Chamois. There in previous years we had seen a wolf chasing Chamois, Red Deer, Wild Cat, Wild Boar, Hazel Hens and many other wild creatures. It was not before 20.30 when we heard a loud call. Thrills crept over us. We looked at each other and we all agreed it was a bear. The call was repeated. I started looking around the open areas, searching for the bear. I scanned all the neighbouring hills and glades but with no result. Another call followed. Then I changed my position and started scanning the hill where we were and there it was. A dark brown ‘object’ was sitting on the top of rock. In a second the ‘object’ turned its head around and the small rounded ear disclosed the bear hiding under the pine trees. The bear was at about 300 m away. Just over the bear was something even more exiting. A bear cub was very skillfully climbing a pine tree, going up and down. The mother was teaching her cub survival techniques. We all managed to see the bears exceptionally well with a scope at dusk light. We watched the animals for about 10 min, when the mother went behind the rock. In a minute or two the cub followed her. On the way back to the car we had Boars with piglets and Red deer. Except the bears, during the tour we also had very good views of Balkan Chamois, Wallcreeper, Peregrine Falcon, Grey headed woodpecker, Eastern Imperial Eagle and another 80 species of spectacular birds. This was one of the most fantastic and exiting bear tours for me. News provided by Iordan Hristov, tour guide on this trip.