Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Yellow-Yellow

YELLOW-YELLOW IS A 125 POUND BEAR WHO LIVES IN THE
NORTHEASTERN ADIRONDACKS IN UPSTATE NEW YORK, home to about 5,000 other bears. She is named for the 2 yellow ear tags that help wildlife officials keep track of her. This extremely shy, rather small, middle-aged black bear has managed to figure out how to break into a complex locking system that allows her, and apparently no other bear in the country, to open a BearVault500, a popular canister designed to keep camper's and hiker's food tamper free. In all the break-ins, it is indicated that Yellow-Yellow was in the vicinity, her radio collar giving her away. She is simply able to open the canister as quickly as a camper does.
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The manufacturers and Dept. of Environmental Conservation believe that they are dealing with a genius bear, who has made short shrift of the complex lid, and is able to get to the food with a twist and a snap. She doesn't much care for humans, isn't threatening, just likes our food. The manufacturers believe that it may not be too long before other bears get to figure out how to tear into this canister, and are at this moment working on a really foolproof canister. But "bear" in mind, she has outsmarted thousand pound grizzlies across the country who have only met with frustration in trying to unearth the secret of the BearVault 500. She seems to be one of a kind.
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There's a rumor going round that Yellow-Yellow is forming classes to instruct moderately gifted bears on how to make humans look as foolish as she's been able to do.
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The BearVault500/canister...easily opened by Yellow-Yellow.
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Based on information from an article in the NYT.

12 comments:

Jeane Myers said...

I'm not a bit surprised, are you? we humans think we know everything and are reminded over and over that that is an urban myth :))

Lyn said...

Hi Jeane-
I do love finding these exceptional non-human creatures..

Tess Kincaid said...

You, show 'em, Ms. Yellow!

Lyn said...

Hi Willow-
And another fem shows the way!!
Thank you..

Unknown said...

Hi Lyn,

When in South Africa's Kruger Park camps, refrigerators are usually kept outside on the verahdah. If you don't turn the door towards the wall the monkeys usually enjoy a good snack! But opening a fridge door is child's play compared to the canister. The manufacturers will need to see her in action to keep one step ahead!

Lyn said...

Hi Derrick-
Thank you..it's usually our arrogance that leads us astray. There's tons of evidence showing the intelligence of other species..ants, apes,dolphins..and on..

Jenn Jilks said...

That is just a hoot! Our raccoons are similarly clever, with opposable thumbs. I saw one in My Muskokasitting on a branch hauling up a chain like a sailor, on the other end was our bird feeder.

Lyn said...

Hi Jenn Jilks-
Thank you for visiting..good story!
Maybe species survive because they can think for themselves!!

Raph G. Neckmann said...

I'll have a go at opening one of those - depending what's in it! Custard slices? Rice pudding? Sponge pudding! Yes please!

Lyn said...

Hi Raph-
I'm sure you won't have any trouble opening one..as easy as a child-proof container! And yummy rewards...

Deedee said...

"History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men..." - Blue Oyster Cult

Lyn said...

Hi Deedee-
Thanks...just a perfect quote!!

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