Bear Education & Animal Rehabilitation Sanctuary The Bear Education & Animal Rehabilitation Sanctuary, (BEARS) was founded as a non-profit Alaskan corporation (501c3) on January 28 th, 2002. Our directors and advisors are a partnership of educators, scientists, concerned citizens, and businesses. Our overall goal is to build a facility where aversion conditioning research will be pioneered, public awareness and education will be facilitated, and orphaned or injured animals will receive professional care. A partnership with the University of Alaska will oversee the research performed at our facility. An education center will be built to partner with Alaskan schools for all to learn about conservation and how to successfully coexist with our wild neighbors. We believe that an army of educated children will impact the negative behavior of adults in the neighborhoods of our community. In molding a new generation of conservationists, it may be possible to positively impact the future leaders of our lands and resources.
ORIGINAL THANE SITE First Site for BEARS, INC. was located at the little rock dump on Thane Road. While the 6 acre site was situated perfectly for tourist accessibility, it was small and full of 40 foot deep waste cells. Building on this site would be impossible, though it may make a great city park in the future. OTHER POTENTIAL SITES HAVE BEEN RESEARCHED. The IHH property above Fred Meyer has been stripped of all its natural beauty. We would have to re-foliate 75% of the property to achieve any vision of a sanctuary type setting. The proximity to traffic and airport noise could be disturbing to both animals and visitors.
100+ acres at Herbert river became unavailable when the city in conjunction with the Southeast Alaska Land Trust, purchased the property from private ownership. This wilderness site would have been a great setting for a rehabilitation and viewing. 20 acres of privately owned property in the Lemon Creek area is available, but borders the Glacier Highway. The traffic noise would detract from the setting we hope to create. An 86 acre site on Douglas is available from private ownership. This property is very attractive to the project, though it is not in proposed acceptable zoning. At the time the text amendment was requested from the Planning Commission, for BEARS, INC., we requested this specific property be allowed for our use. While garnering support for the use of the Douglas site, we have been advised that we may have access to CBJ land, if we can make a compelling case with the positive attributes of our project.
The Case for BEARS, INC. The Bear Education & Animal Rehabilitation Sanctuary is a multi-faceted facility that offers many benefits to our community. With increased focus on tourism in Juneau, our facility has the potential of being the premier visitor attraction, combining wildlife viewing with education on co-existence with all members of our eco-system. 1. The education center, while being entertaining, will be informative in all aspects of conservation. 2. Visitors will learn how to co-exist and appreciate all wildlife in our natural eco-system. 3. Emphasis on how access to garbage, can have a negative impact on animals, as well as create dangerous encounters for humans. Our goal is to create a new generation of conservationists, who will police the negative behavior of others in their neighborhoods. 4. Our rehabilitation clinic will help orphaned and injured animals. 5. Our site will create living classrooms for use by both University and local schools. Our facility will be available to all schools at no charge. Curriculum in the education center will be designed by local teachers to assist in core training, as well as to encourage research projects that would have a positive impact on our wildlife and eco-system. 6. Revenue produced at our facility will have positive effect on our local economy. A. Tax revenue for CBJ B. Creation of 12 year round positions, along with up to 20 summer jobs C. A source of funding for other local nonprofits 7. The experience of visitors to our site may encourage others to visit Alaska.
Similar Facilities Paws Wildlife Centre, Lynnwood, WA, 425-787-2500 Source: "Post-Release Survival and Movements of Captive-Reared Black Bear Cubs", Jeanne A. Wasserman and Curtiss J. Clumpner. Draft completed in December 14, 1995, published date unknown. Year rehabilitation program started 1986 1994. Number of cubs entering rehab program (11). Number of cubs euthanized (2), (one dwarf and one retinal degeneration). Number of cubs rehabilitated & released (9), (arrival from Jan. 8 - Dec. 8). Number of released cubs tracked (8). Number of cubs released without a tag (1). Number of tags not returned (3). Number of cubs still being tracked (1), (at time of report tracked for 366 days). Number of cubs hunted (1). Note: Wasserman prepared an updated report for an International Bear Association meeting in 2001.
Bear With Us, Mike McIntosh,,Sprucedale, Ontario, Personal Communication 705-789-5507 The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) refers cubs to Bear With Us. Mike McIntosh is a Director of the Ontario Wildlife Rehabilitation Network (OWRN) and is helping to prepare standards for bear rehabilitation for the Ministry through OWRN. Generally speaking Mike McIntosh releases bears the following June, when the wild berry crop is ripe, in release sites determined by the OMNR. Year rehabilitation program started 1992. Number of cubs rehabilitated & released (90), (arrive all time of year), (19 more to be released this year). Number of cubs tagged (78). Number of cubs not tagged (12). Number of tags returned (5). Number of cubs legally hunted (3)*. Number of bears shot as a "nuisance" (2)** * One was a June orphan who survived for a year after a June release the following year before being shot in good condition at a bait station. Lived for about 28 months. One was a spring orphan who lived for three months after release the following summer. Shot in good condition at a deer run. Lived for about 20 months. One was a fall orphan who lived for about 26 months after release the following year. Shot in the fall hunt. Condition unreported. Lived for a total of about 43 months. ** One was a fall orphan who lived for 1 year after a June release the following year before being shot reportedly in good condition when it was attracted to a fish gut pile in a fish camp. Lived for about 28 months. One was a spring orphan who lived for 16 months after a June release the following year before being shot when walking in a moose hunting camp. No damage to camp. Good condition, lived for a total of about 32 months. Note: McIntosh responds to bear "nuisance' calls in the Parry Sound/Muskoka Ministry of Natural Resources District and has relocated and tagged 87 bears since 1992. All were wild bears. He has never been called to relocate one of his tagged rehabbed & released orphaned bear cubs.
Black Bear Idaho Rehabilitation, Inc. Sally Maughan, Idaho Black Bear Rehab, Inc., (IDBBR) Garden City, Idaho 208-853-3105 Source: Maughan's year 2000 report Sally Maughan is licensed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Dr. John Beecham, now retired from the Game Department, is Vice-President of the IDBBR and heads her release team. Releases are into winter dens at the time hibernation sets in. Year rehabilitation program started in 1989. Cubs are tagged/radio collared on release. Number of rehabilitated cubs rehabbed & released (43). Number of successful releases (40), (includes one male relocated). Number of problem bears (1), (captured female & placed in captivity). Number of cubs that died of a mishap (2), (human problem with release at out-of-state den placement involving a male & female cub). Number of tagged bears shot in hunting season (0). Number of bears that died prior to release (5), (1 broke her neck in fall, a male & female suspected tetanus, 1 male pneumonia, 1 male euthanized on arrival after injured when hit by a car). Circumstances causing orphaning: Number from spring hunt (11). Number from poaching (6). Number resulting from mother bears being hit by cars (5). Number from fall hunt, fires, abandoned (26), (reason unknown, miscellaneous).
Credentials of Directors and Advisors Christopher Grant - 25 years experience in hospitality industry, owning and managing restaurants and resort facilities. Chairman and Executive Director of BEARS, INC. Angela Hull - Former facilities manager for a telecommunications corporation. Director and Advisor for BEARS, INC. Michelle Morris - BS in Marine Biology from University of Alaska. Director and Advisor for BEARS, INC. Johanna Fagen - Masters in Biology from West Chester University. Formerly employed by Brookfield Zoo in Chicago and Philadelphia Zoo. Published author on Human/Bear interaction. 10 years study of Bear behavior at Pack Creek. Honorary Director and Wildlife Manager for BEARS, INC. Bob Fagen - PHD from Harvard University. Associate Professor at University of Alaska. Published author on Bear Behavior. 10 year study of Bear behavior at Pack Creek. Advisor to the Board of Directors, BEARS INC. Jaclyn Weyland - PHD in Biological Sciences from Stanford University. Former Associate Professor at Holy Cross University. Advisor to the Board of Directors, BEARS, INC. Jim Rowell - Over 25 years with Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. Founded Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Illinois. Consultant for Yellowstone and San Diego Zoo. Advisor to the Board of Directors BEARS, INC. Skye Stekoll - BSLA from the University of California, Davis. Advisor to the Board of Directors, BEARS, INC.