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Hello and welcome...
Thanks for dropping in to the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, a not-for-profit, AZA-accredited wildlife park and educational facility, with a diverse crew of staff and volunteers. We're glad you're here with us.
We're sending a slightly abbreviated issue of the newsletter this week. We hope to see you soon, right here in West Yellowstone, relaxing and watching the animals, or participating in one of our interactive programs and displays, but until then we wish you all the best.
Take care, and we'll be back with you in another two weeks. Until then, we hope you continue to enjoy the fall and keep in touch with us. We'll see you soon.
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Illie
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Around The Center
What's Happening at the GWDC
We have sad news this week. It's hard to know how to pass on this information given our strong feelings, and continue to move forward with all that's happening at the GWDC. Beautiful Illie, the 17-year-old grizzly, died in her sleep at the beginning of last week. We are deeply saddened and deeply touched by her loss. By all accounts, Illie was behaving normally leading up to her death; keepers found Illie in her favorite sleeping position in her den when they came in the next morning. It was simply her time.
We wanted to contact staff, adopters and special friends of Illie's before we made this news public. By now you may have seen it on Facebook or heard from us at the Center. We are thankful for everyone's kindness and dedication in the face of this loss. We understand that death is a necessary part of life, and we are fortunate to have so many other unique animals that demand our attention and care. While we pause here to honor the end of Illie's life, we also recognize that other lives continue and deserve our energy and joy. Join us as we focus the rest of the newsletter on these other lives and happenings at the Center.
Remember if you have any questions, or just want to know more about any aspect of the Center, you can always give us a call at 406.646.7001, reply to this newsletter, or email |
 | | Summit and Leopold |
Bears, Wolves, and Birds
(Oh My!)
We have pretty big wolf news this week. Due to pack dynamics, Summit the Omega of the River Valley Pack and Leopold the Omega of the High Country Pack have been removed from those packs and introduced to each other in an off-exhibit enclosure. The introduction went smoothly and they have formed their own cohesive pack. In the wild wolf packs are constantly changing. Alpha wolves are always reestablishing their dominance and lower-ranking wolves are ever vigilant for an opportunity to move up the hierarchy. As a result, wolves will oftentimes disperse from their packs to join others or start new ones.
Due to their behaviors it was time to give Summit and Leopold an opportunity to form a new pack. At this time, it seems that Leopold is exhibiting dominant behavior, but that could change. Thanks to all of you who contributed towards a new shelter for Leopold, we are extending the High Country Habitat and splitting it into two enclosures. Leopold and Summit will be moved into their new habitat soon.We also have great bear news: we have begun using the new bear diet kitchen to process donated game meat! We're still polishing off a few minor details, but it's exciting to have this new space away from the bears' sensitive noses to prepare and process food for them. We have also begun using the vehicle maintenance and storage space! Thanks to all of you who have helped us make this dream a reality. With fresh snow blanketing the bear habitat, the cubs have been rolling, playing, and kicking up their heels. Concern for Sam and his time alone outside has been soothed by seeing him forage, eat, and move comfortably across the habitat. He has been receiving extra enrichment and treats of bones and produce, and is exhibiting normal behaviors. Construction of the new bear den will go ahead, and will allow many possibilities for managing the rotations of the current bear collection, and may allow temporary housing for a variety of agencies. We will continue to adjust the bears' schedules to do what is best for the animals. Due to the harsh winter weather West Yellowstone experiences, the birds-of-prey are moved off-exhibit into a more protected area for the winter months. These decisions are made according to the individual birds and each year's weather patterns. Josh and Zack will be in their outdoor aviary for at least another week, and possibly even until after Thanksgiving, depending on the snow and temperatures. The indoor mews are ready and waiting for the birds. It's hard not to assign warm, cozy human feelings to indoor spaces when the snow flies, but Josh and Zach seem to be thriving outside. Come see them soon.
We'll have more news for you next time. Please stay tuned. |
 | | Josh |
Education
Knowledge Is a Powerful Tool
With Trent and AJ at the National Association of Interpreters Conference this week, the education staff is proving that knowledge certainly is a powerful tool. Besides presenting a session for interpreters from across the country, they will also be attending the conference to learn as much as they can. Education is a two-way street, and with all the time spent in the viewing areas interpreting the behavior of the animals here at the Center, it's a nice change of pace to leave the snow behind and go exchange knowledge with others who are in the same business though the information may differ.
As a not-for-profit wildlife park and educational facility, we notice from time to time that visitors arrive and react to the Center with something else in mind. Yes, we're AZA-accredited but we're not your typical zoo. Yes, we advertise to tourists but we're not just an attraction and certainly not a trap. Yes, we have animals in captivity but they are not tame nor are they left unstimulated to exhibit frustration or boredom. It is our goal through the care of the animals and the interpretation of their behaviors to give visitors the chance to see what these animals look like and how they act and interact, in closer proximity than they could achieve in the wild while safety and natural behaviors are maintained. Wolves typically sleep in the middle of an August afternoon. You'll see that here. Bugs bite and ravens swoop. It takes patience to truly observe and understand the animals and the valuable lessons they provide.
It would be a shame to lose a cherished animal or to celebrate the successful introduction of two adult wolves without sharing those experiences in a way that informs others. We are undoubtedly preaching to the choir here, as you already know our mission is one of education. We hope that visitors and community members alike will take the time to get to know our programs, our staff, and most importantly our animals. Come spend time, ask questions, come back for a different rotation of bears...We invite you to engage and to learn.
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 | Free Day 2013 is this Saturday, November 9th! Join us this weekend!
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 | | Leopold |
Eye Candy
Photographs and Artwork from the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
We are honored to have many artists and photographers visit and support the GWDC. Their vision and talents inspire and enliven our work here, so we thought it would be nice to feature some of their work in every issue of our newsletter. Thank you all for the beautiful and lasting images seen in this newsletter.
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Thank you for sharing our sadness and our joys here at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center.
On a bright note, we want to invite you to visit the Center Saturday, November 9th, from 8:30 - 4:00 p.m. on the house! As a small token of appreciation to our community and to all of you we want to open the doors to the Center to anyone and everyone who wants to observe, understand and appreciate the animals here.
We are truly thankful for you this season and throughout the year. We hope you will visit Saturday if you're in the neighborhood, and that you'll come see us soon no matter where you are. Thank you for your kind words, your questions, and your concern.
Sincerely,
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The GWDC Staff
Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center |
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