Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center facts for kids

Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center

Date opened	1993
Location	West Yellowstone, Montana
Coordinates	44°39′25″N 111°05′54″W / 44.656951°N 111.098391°W / 44.656951; -111.098391
No. of animals	150 (2021)
No. of species	22 (2021)
Volume of largest tank	11,000 square feet (1,000 m2)
Total volume of tanks	22,000 square feet (2,000 m2)
Annual visitors	140,000
Memberships	AZA
Major exhibits	14

The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is a special place in West Yellowstone, Montana, United States. It's a wildlife park and learning center that opened in 1993. This center is open every day of the year. Your admission ticket is good for two days in a row! It's also approved by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which means it meets high standards for animal care.

History of the Discovery Center

The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center started in 1993. It was first called the Grizzly Discovery Center. It was created by Lewis S. Robinson. The center began with three bears. Its main goal was to be a safe home for bears. These bears had to be removed from the wild. This happened because they became too comfortable or aggressive around people.

In 1995, the center was sold. Then, in 1996, a wolf exhibit was added. Ten wolves born in captivity joined the center. By 1999, the center faced closing. But three managers stepped in. They formed a non-profit group. They bought the center and some land. This was done with help from a United States Department of Agriculture program.

The center then partnered with Yellowstone National Park. They helped with park programs. They also tested special containers that keep bears out of trash. In 2001, the center earned its AZA accreditation. This means it's a top-notch facility. In 2002, it got its current name. It also added the "BEARS: Imagination & Reality" exhibit.

Animal Exhibits and Learning Areas

The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center has many exciting exhibits. These areas let you see amazing animals up close. You can also learn about their lives and behaviors.

Meet the Bears

The bears at the center are all rescued animals. They came here because they caused problems in the wild. Or, they were orphaned cubs of such bears. They live in a large, natural outdoor area. This habitat has a pool and a waterfall. They also have private indoor spaces.

Staff members hide food in the habitat. They even put fish in the pond. This encourages the bears to search for food. It helps them act like they would in the wild. Different bears are rotated into the habitat. This allows them to interact in new ways.

Bears: Imagination & Reality Exhibit

This exhibit is a fun, interactive display. It was first made by the Science Museum of Minnesota. Now, it's a permanent part of the Discovery Center. It helps you compare bears in stories and art. You also learn about real bears. These are the bears known by scientists and people who spend time outdoors. The exhibit features over 25 taxidermy mounts. These include both grizzly bears and black bears.

Discover the Wolves

The center is home to two wolf packs. They live in separate habitats. These habitats are divided by the Naturalist Cabin. The wolves can even see each other through the cabin's large windows. In 2013, a third wolf habitat was added. A behind-the-scenes wolf exhibit was built in 2018. In 2021, one wolf exhibit was connected to another. This made their living space even bigger.

Hoodoo Pack Wolves

In May 2019, three wolf pups arrived. There were two males and one female. The female was named Shasta. The two males were named Obsidian and Bridger. This group is known as the Hoodoo Pack.

Fossil Butte Pack Wolves

In September 2019, two older wolves joined the center. Their names were Sura (female) and Lakota (male). This pack is called the Fossil Butte Pack. In spring 2020, Sura gave birth to four pups. These were two males and two females. They were the first wolves ever born at the center! In June 2020, the pups were named Harlequin, Meriwether, Boulder, and Colter. Sadly, Lakota passed away in December 2020.

Naturalist Cabin Viewing Area

The Naturalist Cabin is located between the two main wolf habitats. It has huge windows from floor to ceiling. This lets visitors see both wolf packs from inside. The cabin also has educational displays. You can watch a National Geographic film about wolves. It's also where the daily "Pack Chat" happens. Here, you can learn more about the wolves from a naturalist.

Ground Squirrel Exhibit

In 2015, the center added a Ground Squirrel Exhibit. This exhibit helps guests understand how predators and prey interact. Unlike the bears, the ground squirrels go through natural hibernation. They come out in March and go back to sleep in August.

Birds of Prey Exhibits

In 2013, four new bird of prey exhibits were added. These exhibits house raptors. These are birds that can no longer survive on their own in the wild. In 2014, another bird of prey exhibit was added. The old golden eagle aviary was also updated. It became a new home for bald eagles. You can visit this exhibit from April to November.

Warming Hut Viewing Area

In 2016, a new viewing area for the bears was built. It's called the Warming Hut. This cozy spot lets guests watch the bears while staying warm.

Other Fun Attractions

In 2014, a new exhibit called Bears on Easy Street opened. It teaches people how to be "bear aware." This means learning how to keep bears away from your home. In 2013, the center also opened a new kitchen behind the scenes. A new playground area for children was also added. An outdoor amphitheater was built in 2014.

Banks of the Yellowstone Exhibit

In 2019, the center opened its new Banks of the Yellowstone Exhibit. This exciting area has large freshwater aquariums. You can see North American river otters, Cutthroat Trout, and Arctic Grayling. It also features Tiger salamanders, Columbia spotted frog, Rubber Boa, and Garter Snake. The River Valley wolf habitat was also made larger. It was connected to the riparian building.

Future Plans for the Center

The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center has exciting plans for the future. These include building a new bear den and a black bear habitat. The new bear den will have eight spaces. This will help save bears from being put down in the surrounding area. Some resident bears will live there. The other spaces will temporarily house rescued bears. They will stay until a permanent home is found for them.

The new bear habitat will be very special. It will have river rapids for the bears to play in. There will also be trout for the bears to hunt. Bears will rotate in and out of this habitat throughout the day. This new bear exhibit will be built on the remaining undeveloped land at the center. Both of these projects are currently underway. They will continue to grow with financial support.