Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary
The Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal sanctuary in Red Lodge, Montana with the mission of providing lifelong sanctuary to non-releasable Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem wildlife while sharing a message of education and conservation. The Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary is accredited by the American Sanctuary Association.[1]
| Founded | 1983 (as Beartooth Nature Center) |
|---|---|
| Type | National not-for-profit organization |
| 81-0422009 | |
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization |
| Focus | Caring for local native wildlife; conservation; advocacy |
| Headquarters | Red Lodge, Montana, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 45°11′53″N 109°14′31″W |
Area served | North America |
| Gary D. Robson | |
Employees (2019) | 10 |
| Website | yellowstonewildlifesanctuary |
History
Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary was formed in 1983 as the Red Lodge Zoological Society, but changed its name to the Beartooth Nature Center around the time the facility opened on about 7.5 acres (3.0 ha) adjacent to Red Lodge's Coal Miner Park a few years later.[2] In 2012, the name was changed to Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary to better describe what the organization does.
Despite the word "Yellowstone" in the title, the organization is not connected to or funded by Yellowstone National Park. The sanctuary's funding comes from grants, donations, admissions, education programs, and gift shop sales.[3]
Animals
The Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary takes in only non-releasable wildlife of species native to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The animals may be non-releasable due to being injured, habituated to humans, or orphaned. Mammal species represented as of 2019 include black bear, gray wolf, coyote, red fox, mountain lion, Canada lynx, bobcat, bison, porcupine, raccoon, and fox squirrel. Bird species represented include sandhill crane, turkey vulture, American crow, raven, and a variety of owls, hawks, and falcons.
The sanctuary has an on-site animal care staff, plus arrangements with three local veterinarians. Like all other organizations of its kind, it is licensed by the USDA and regularly inspected by APHIS for compliance with the Animal Welfare Act. It also carries a license from the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and a migratory bird permit from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to keep birds in accordance with the Migratory Bird Act.