The fall of 2014 is Raspberry's 7th fall. In the spring of 2011 I observed Raspberry mating and hoped for spring cubs in 2012. No such luck. In springs in 2013 and 2014, I observed her being actively courted by a few different boars and again had my fingers crossed for spring babies.

My hopes for 2015 cubs are very high after seeing her looking so fat and well prepared for hibernation in October of 2014.

Bears mate in the spring, but through a process of delayed implantation, fertilized eggs do not begin to develop until after she enters hibernation. Her body fat content - and hence ability to support herself and offspring through hibernation - is the determining factor as to if eggs will implant and develop, as well as litter size.