Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center
October 29, 2014
DISCOVERY
News from The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
In This Issue
Around the Center
Bears, Wolves, and Birds
Education
Developments
Eye Candy
Quick Links

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, and we hope to see you in person soon. Happy Halloween, Veteran's Day, and Thanksgiving to you and yours. And just to cover our holiday bases, don't forget the end of Daylight Saving Time and Election Day. We hope all your days are happy.

 

As usual, there's a lot going on in this issue, maybe even more than usual. Enjoy the photos and the news. Get to know our amazing cast of characters, and share us with your friends. Please come visit us right here in West Yellowstone, relax and watch the animals, and participate in one of our interactive programs and displays. Until then we wish you all the best. We hope we can bring a little discovery and excitement your way. See you soon!
Nakina
Nakina with Pumpkin
Around The Center
What's Happening at the GWDC

As the days grow shorter and cooler we are preparing for the inevitable winter that will soon be upon us.  Fall has been lovely with the changing leaves and brisk weather.  Hunters are bringing in their carcasses for the wolves and bears.  The bears (especially Sam!) have been enjoying their pumpkins in the habitat. We have moved our main entrance from the museum building to the Gift Shop for the season. Don't be alarmed by the construction going on at the front of the museum building; we're expanding our restrooms this winter to make your visit next summer even better!

 

The changing season also means that our hours will shift to accommodate the waning light. On Sunday, November 2, coinciding with the end of Daylight Saving Time, we will begin our winter hours;  through the end of April the Center will be open from 8:30 to 4:00 (despite what you may see on Google).  The west entrance to Yellowstone National Park closes on November 3 and will reopen for over-snow travel (weather permitting) on December 15.

 

Don't think for a second that with the Park closing there's nothing to do in West Yellowstone. Since we have so much to be thankful for, we are having another Free Day to celebrate our local community members! It was a huge success last year. Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 8, and come on down! You will probably see your friends and neighbors too.  It's just another way we like to say 'thank you' to all the folks here in West Yellowstone and in our region who send visitors our way all year and who make our community a great place to be.

 

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

info@grizzlydiscoveryctr.com. We will try to keep you informed and up to date in as many ways as we can. Your involvement and interest in what we do keeps us doing it! We welcome your feedback and suggestions. Thanks again for tuning in.

Kootenai
Kootenai
Bears, Wolves, and Birds
(Oh My!)
Animal Updates

During the summer, the bears and wolves shed their heavy coats and immediately started growing back their fluffy, thick winter fur. Both wolves and bears have two layers of fur: the outer guard hairs that provide protection from dirt and water and the soft, dense underfur that provides insulation and warmth. Did you know that when snow falls on bears and wolves it does not melt?

 

We have received our last fish delivery from the Ennis Fish Hatchery; soon the ponds will freeze over until next spring's thaw. Lewis, the turkey vulture, has gone into the warm shelter of his indoor mew and Jago, the peregrine falcon will soon follow. The other birds on display will be in their outdoor aviaries a bit longer as they have more tolerance for the cold.

 

Stay tuned and we'll keep you posted on the reason we're all here - the animals! Every issue of our email newsletter will have updates on the animals, and we will still be sending quarterly newsletters through the mail. We hope you'll follow our progress keep an eye on the animals, and please come visit us soon.


  Check out our wolves...  

Raptor Fest 2014 Emily
Raptor Fest 2014
Education 
Knowledge Is a Powerful Tool 

On October 4th and 5th we once again had the privilege of presenting our Birds of Prey program at the Bridger Raptor Festival.  Our education staff brought birds Chip, Acadia and Nahani to Bridger Bowl near Bozeman, Montana, for the annual event; altogether we reached over 700 people throughout the weekend!  The Raptor Festival centers on the largest known Golden Eagle migration in the United States.  Since 1991, a raptor migration count has taken place every fall; the festival activities focus on raptor viewing and include nature walks and talks, as well as educational and entertaining programs.  The Bridger Raptor Festival is an annual event dedicated to promoting an awareness and appreciation for the migration of raptors and other wildlife throughout the Northern Rockies.

Raptor Fest 2014  

If you're interested in visiting the GWDC with your family or with your students, or if you'd like to sponsor a Teaching Trunk or outreach program, let us know. One of the Center's naturalists can visit your school for special assemblies, programs or activities. As you know, some of our birds-of-prey can travel for such programs as can our large collection of wolf and bear artifacts. We are currently adding materials to our Teaching Trunks, and adding programs to our roster. We will customize the program or the Teaching Trunk for your group and areas of special interest.  

 

Deby Dixon Otter Raffle
Deby Dixon Otter Raffle Ends Friday!
Developments
New and Exciting Opportunities to Support the GWDC

Summer Raffles end Friday night at midnight! Whether you're feeling lucky, generous, or just a little bored at work today, buy your tickets now. We will draw the winning names first thing Saturday morning and ship these beauties off next week. Don't miss your chance to win one of these stunning pieces for yourself or someone you care about. Nothing would say Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas, or Just Because I Love You like one of these framed photographs.

To beat the clock and buy your winning tickets, please call the Center at 406-646-7003, or click on our website's donation form here and write "Otter raffle" or "Grand Prismatic Raffle" in the Project field.
C Balmer God's Palette
Christopher Balmer Grand Prismatic Raffle
Thanks for ALL you do to help the GWDC. Your support makes a world of difference to the animals here, and to the work we do. We hope to hear from you and see you soon.

 

Keep reading about other ways to support the GWDC... 

McKinley & Adara
McKinley & Adara
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. If you'd like to see your artwork here, send us an image! Paintings, sculptures, and mixed media are welcome too. Thanks to Gretchen Heine for this week's photos.
We hope you enjoy this issue, learn a little something, and feel like you are here with us for just a few minutes. It's a pretty special place to be. Have a great month and enjoy all November has to offer, and we'll look forward to seeing you soon.

Thanks again for keeping up with us and for all you do.

Sincerely,
Sam in Autumn Leaves
Sam in Autumn Leaves

The GWDC Staff
Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
 
Gift Shop
Happenings

 
As the Summer Raffles end, we are excited to introduce the 2014 Holiday Drawing! This alternative to our annual Christmas Stocking raffle promised to be a fun new twist on holiday giving. Instead of winning a huge stocking full of numerous items, this year we have 8 gifts up for grabs, described in more detail on our website. Eight different winners will be drawn for these marvelous gifts, which are on display now in the Gift Shop. You have until midnight December 9th to buy one ticket for $10, 6 tickets for $50, or 12 tickets for $100. The drawing will be held December 10th and if your name is drawn for one of the items, your gift will be shipped to you free of charge! To see the items and read more about them, check it out here!

2014 Holiday Drawing

Halloween promises to be an exciting day in the Gift Shop this year. We will have trick-or-treat candy, special deals, and if you're lucky you'll see a few costumes!

We are all looking forward to making your visit to the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center enjoyable and educational. Give us a call anytime, and don't forget to shop online if you can't get here in person. Thanks for caring about the animals and the Center!
Stop in soon to see our new gift items and souvenirs!