tography blind overlooking a field frequented by various bears. Their numbers had increased in the decade following the trapping and release of this special mother bear. One morning, an unpleasant-looking small sow entered the field near my blind. Her body was generally hairless. Her exposed skin was leathery and cracked. Her slow gait was unsteady and her eyesight JULY 2015 seemed impaired. She was a pitiful sight to behold. Mange had ravaged the skin and severely weakened this bear. Successive sightings indicated a rapid and steady decline in her health and strength. Her right ear carried a numbered aluminum tag, and although my photos 17