We are fortunate to get some live fish from a local hatchery so our cubs can practice this important skill. Here our grizzlies Moon & Star have their first try at fishing!
Queen Sigrid (CLICK for VIDEO)
December 01, 2021
Grizzly fun
August 16, 2021
Grizzly cubs are always good for a smile. These 6 month old cubs are orphaned and are raised to be released once they are old enough. The sibling males are called Rollo (playing with water) and Ragnar.
Watch until the end!
Grizzly Rescue
July 11, 2021
On June 21st 2 grizzly cubs were orphaned near Vanderhoof. Conservation officers captured the 2 cubs and alerted NLWS. A team immediately dispatched and by late last night the cubs arrived at NLWS.
We are so grateful for all your support, that allows us to react in a timely fashion and in turn saves so many lives.
Grizzly Release
June 17, 2021
On May 30th, 5 young grizzly bears started their long journey home. After been given a chance to mature at NLWS for 6 month each bear was placed into individual transport boxes to travel from Smithers to Bella Coola. After a night of rest the last leg of the journey is completed via helicopter to a remote habitat chosen to ensure best possible survival chances for the young bears.
There is so much hope and promise with this work, but it also comes with significant challenges. During the final stage of the release, there were complications during the helicopter transportation, and one of the bears did not survive the journey.
The provincial veterinarian who was on-site is conducting a necropsy. It will take some time to get the complete analysis of this tragic event.
One of the goals of our research is to examine every step of the rewilding process. From their intake by the Conservation Officer Service, through their care at the Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter, to their final release in partnership with the provincial government and all of the professionals that put so much care into giving these cubs a second chance at life in the wild. Through all of this, we are learning and building best practices. Ensuring we determine the best care and welfare for the bears, while giving them every chance for success and survival in the wild.
The other 4 bears have, to everyone’s joy, settled well into their new home. All bears are wearing radio transmitters and are monitored closely. They chose to use their new landscape in the exact way that would be expected from a “wild” grizzly and in doing so, are demonstrating their instinctive ability to adapt.
At NLWS we know that this is innovative research being done nowhere else in the world. We understand that we have a lot to learn, however the loss of Muwin was a hard blow. Arthur, Raven, Isa & Cedar are showing us that the work must continue and the best way to honor Muwin is to ensure that we can with our partners create a comprehensive guideline for others to embrace the rewilding of grizzly cubs in other parts of Canada and the world.
We are deeply grateful to the continuous commitment of the BC Conservation Officers, Ministry of Natural Resources, Grizzly Bear Foundation, Wildlife Veterinarians, Researchers, and the people of BC and beyond that support this project.
Grizzly Fun
April 23, 2021
Our 5 grizzly cubs are doing well and are very active. In our rewilding program for grizzlies we don't hibernate the cubs and they keep growing throughout the winter. To avoid habituation to humans we release our cubs at 17 month while they typically leave their mother at 29 month. Growing over the winter gives our yearlings the size of 2 year old's and gives them the best survival chances.
All released bears are fitted with a radio collar to monitor their first year and so far we have no evidence that the early release age lessens their survival chances.
Grizzly Bear Helicopter Release
June 05, 2020
Prizes Wanted
April 13, 2018
Our 3rd annual M & M Event is just a few days away and we are still looking for prizes. If you have an item or service you like to donate, we would be grateful for your help! M & M stands for Miles & Milk, as we are gearing up to release 37 bears, 2 otters, 1 bobcat and 1 porcupine. We will travel over 10000 Miles (16000km) to bring the animals back to their home ranges. At the same time the first young orphans will arrive here soon and we are stocking up on species specific milk replacers to give those babies the best possible care we can. We typically spend $6 - 8000 on these products.
Instructions on how to donate a prize:
Please do not send us the prize!!!!!
send us a good quality photo of your gift
a description of the item and its value
If you provide a service or made the item:
information on where people can purchase your product
For your In Kind Tax receipt (yes you can deduct at least a portion of your donation from your taxes)
your e-mail address (we try hard to save our trees and send receipts via e-mail)
your full name and postal address (we are required to put that into the receipt)
Once the prize is awarded we provide you with the address of the winner and you can mail your item directly to them. If the postal costs exceed your abilities we are happy to reimburse you.
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