Bear on Internet gives birth

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UPDATE:

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- A researcher says Lily the black bear has given birth to a cub in her den in northeastern Minnesota.

Biologist Lynn Rogers says Lily gave birth just after 11:30 a.m. Central Time Friday in her den, which is equipped with a video camera. He says it was difficult to see her giving birth, so he based his conclusion on contortions the bear made, followed by her "sweet grunts" that show concern for a cub.

Rogers and his North American Bear Center put a camera in Lily's den outside Ely, Minn., that streams her activity live over the Internet.

Rogers says he doesn't know if the cub is male or female. He says a bear's first litter is typically one or two cubs, so the 3-year-old Lily might go into labor and deliver a second cub.

EARLIER STORY:

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A black bear named Lily is may be about to give birth in the wild live on the Internet.

Biologist Lynn Rogers says the birth in Lily's den outside Ely, Minnesota is a video first. Rogers and his North American Bear Center put a camera in Lily's den that streams her activity live.

Rogers says Lily appears to have started labor around 2 p.m. Central Time Thursday.

Since then, Lily has pawed at her face, left her den, and then returned and has tried going back to sleep. She brought in balsam fir to set up bedding and her mammary glands appear swollen.

Rogers has been studying bears for 43 years and never seen a birth. He predicts the 3-year-old Lily will give birth Friday.

It's hard to capture a black bear birth live because they don't usually den near where live cameras can be set up.