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Researchers Say Bear Was Killed By Coyote Bite

ELY, Minn. (WCCO) – Researchers in Ely said Tuesday they have figured out what caused Lily's black bear cub to die.

Bear Researcher Dr. Lynn Rogers said he believes a coyote pulled the cub from a tree by its leg and bit it on the head.

"About the time he would be screaming in pain from that, Lily would come running back just in time to save him from the bite to the head, which was just minimal, but enough to puncture that thin little skull," Rogers said. "So he died from a brain infection from that, four days later."

The birth of Lily's cub, known as Jason, was captured by a live webcam over the winter.

Rogers said Lily, her daughter Hope and the remaining twin cub Faith are now browsing the spring greens in the woods.

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