There doesn't seem to be a news thread for the center.. So I'll start off with a little bit of background.
The center is home to grizzly bears and wolves, two highly sought after animals to see in Yellowstone National Park. The center is located in West Yellowstone, MT and is open 365 days a year with varying seasonal hours.
Nine grizzly bears call the center home. All of the bears are either orphans or nuance bears that would have otherwise been euthanized. There is one main habitat for 1-3 bears to be out in, depending on what bears get along together. The center has been changing their pairing with some of the bears and the results have been pretty positive. Keepers or keeper-kids hide food for the bears before each group of bears comes out into the habitat. The bears also get to participate in testing out multiple bear proof containers. During the summer time their pond is filled with live fish that they can hunt.
Seven gray wolves live at the center in two separate packs. The High Country wolf pack is made up of four wolves, one female and three males. Their exhibit features hills and a pond that is stocked with fish in the summer and an open air viewing area. The River Valley wolf pack is made up of three wolves, one female and two males. Their exhibit can be viewed from the cabin area that is in the middle of the two packs and from the outside area. They have a stream that runs through their exhibit and is stocked with fish during the summer. During the winter months both packs get carcases to feed from (since the park bears are sleeping for the winter).
The center has also opened up a number of raptor aviaries in the past few years. Their exhibit birds include golden and bald eagles, a rough legged hawk and great horned owl. They also have a few other raptors that appear at special events and in the theater. The birds are off exhibit during the winter time.
And lastly, they are not exhibit animals but they are at the center year round are the multitudes of common ravens. They like to take advantage of a free meal in the bear and wolf exhibits...however some unlucky ravens have become wolf and bear snacks.
There is also a multitude of indoor exhibits featuring information and history on grizzly bears and wolves including interactive computer screens and specimens.
Future plans for the center includes finishing a 200 seat amphitheater that will feature their birds of prey program. Construction of a riparian habitat featuring otters, dippers and amphibians. The blue prints are finished and they're making a push to get funding for construction. And a further long term goal includes another bear habitat that will provide additional space for more bears.
And I'd hate to start a new thread with not so great news...
Joseph, omega male of the River Valley pack passed away in late December after sustaining critical injuries that he was not able to recover from.
DISCOVERY NEWSLETTER
The center is home to grizzly bears and wolves, two highly sought after animals to see in Yellowstone National Park. The center is located in West Yellowstone, MT and is open 365 days a year with varying seasonal hours.
Nine grizzly bears call the center home. All of the bears are either orphans or nuance bears that would have otherwise been euthanized. There is one main habitat for 1-3 bears to be out in, depending on what bears get along together. The center has been changing their pairing with some of the bears and the results have been pretty positive. Keepers or keeper-kids hide food for the bears before each group of bears comes out into the habitat. The bears also get to participate in testing out multiple bear proof containers. During the summer time their pond is filled with live fish that they can hunt.
Seven gray wolves live at the center in two separate packs. The High Country wolf pack is made up of four wolves, one female and three males. Their exhibit features hills and a pond that is stocked with fish in the summer and an open air viewing area. The River Valley wolf pack is made up of three wolves, one female and two males. Their exhibit can be viewed from the cabin area that is in the middle of the two packs and from the outside area. They have a stream that runs through their exhibit and is stocked with fish during the summer. During the winter months both packs get carcases to feed from (since the park bears are sleeping for the winter).
The center has also opened up a number of raptor aviaries in the past few years. Their exhibit birds include golden and bald eagles, a rough legged hawk and great horned owl. They also have a few other raptors that appear at special events and in the theater. The birds are off exhibit during the winter time.
And lastly, they are not exhibit animals but they are at the center year round are the multitudes of common ravens. They like to take advantage of a free meal in the bear and wolf exhibits...however some unlucky ravens have become wolf and bear snacks.
There is also a multitude of indoor exhibits featuring information and history on grizzly bears and wolves including interactive computer screens and specimens.
Future plans for the center includes finishing a 200 seat amphitheater that will feature their birds of prey program. Construction of a riparian habitat featuring otters, dippers and amphibians. The blue prints are finished and they're making a push to get funding for construction. And a further long term goal includes another bear habitat that will provide additional space for more bears.
And I'd hate to start a new thread with not so great news...
Joseph, omega male of the River Valley pack passed away in late December after sustaining critical injuries that he was not able to recover from.
DISCOVERY NEWSLETTER
