Animals
BELLA
Bella's journey began in the untamed wilderness of Alaska in 2014. At the age of 4-5 months, she was discovered in a tree nestled in someone's backyard near Delta Junction, Alaska. With no signs of her mother for several days, a concerned family reached out to Alaska Fish and Game, determining that Bella had been orphaned. The call to Montana Grizzly Encounter was made, and after confirming our commitment to providing her with a wonderful life, Bella was tranquilized from the tree and transported to the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage.
At the Zoo, Bella, after days without her primary source of nourishment, gradually regained her strength and started eating again. This was a crucial step for her overall well-being before embarking on the journey to Montana. On June 19, 2014, after a long trip, Bella arrived at MGE, measuring about 1 ½ feet long and weighing only 20 lbs.
Bella's playful spirit comes alive as she engages with pelts and showcases her self-taught skill of tossing logs around the habitat. She particularly enjoys aiming logs toward the viewing area, eliciting enthusiastic reactions from our visitors, even if most end up in the moat.
Indulging in her favorite foods, including elk steaks, oranges, grapes, and yogurt, Bella adds a touch of charm and vibrancy to Montana Grizzly Encounter.
max
Max, born in 2019 on Unimak Island, Alaska, marks the beginning of a remarkable journey in the vast Aleutian Island Chain. As the ninth-largest island in the United States, Unimak provided the backdrop for Max's early days. At a tender age of 3-4 months, Max's adventurous spirit led him into the sole town on Unimak, where he found himself surrounded by local dogs. The caring locals swiftly intervened, securing him in a safe haven while awaiting the possible reunion with his mother. Unfortunately, Max's mom never appeared, and it became evident that he needed specialized care to survive.
Bear cubs typically spend 2-3 crucial years with their mothers in the wild to acquire survival skills. Without this essential tutelage, Max faced the risk of starvation or falling prey to larger bears. Alaska Fish and Game reached out to Montana Grizzly Encounter (MGE) to share Max's plight. With a unanimous decision to welcome him into the sanctuary, a compassionate private pilot facilitated Max's journey to the Alaska Zoo. After spending about a week there, a dedicated team from MGE retrieved him, thanks to a generous private flight donated by Eric’s Ranch. On May 29th, 2019, Max arrived at MGE, weighing approximately 25 lbs.
Max's playful nature comes to life as he engages with giant logs, splashing around in the ponds of the sanctuary. He thrives on the attention bestowed upon him by visitors, seizing every opportunity to showcase his playful antics. Max's favorite culinary delights include beef, turkey, avocados, and sweet potatoes.
MAGGI
Maggi's story unfolds as a tale of resilience and second chances. Born in 2006 at a wildlife park in Georgia, Maggi, accompanied by her companion Jake, faced an uncertain future when the Georgia park could no longer care for its bears. Enter Wildlife Safari in Oregon, which stepped in to rescue the bears, providing ample space for the adults but posing a challenge for the then-6-month-old Maggi and Jake, deemed too small for integration with the other bears. Placed in a non-permanent habitat, the duo awaited the funding to build them a new home.
Despite Wildlife Safari's efforts to secure funding for a permanent home, nearly two years passed without success. The USDA's directive to find a new home or consider euthanasia prompted Wildlife Safari to seek help. Montana Grizzly Encounter answered the call, rallying the funds needed to construct custom dens for Maggi and Jake at their sanctuary.
On December 24th, 2008, Maggi and Jake arrived at their forever home in Montana, leaving behind the contrasting landscapes of Georgia and Oregon for their first encounter with snow. It took two months and numerous invitations before they ventured into a full-blown blizzard, reveling in the joy of playing in the snow for hours. Maggi and Jake shared their lives at MGE until Jake's passing in 2019.
Maggi loves to roam her habitat and engage in enriching foraging activities. Scent enrichment holds a special place in her heart, especially when she discovers a captivating smell, like perfume. She enjoys rubbing the scent onto her fur.
Indulging in a diverse palate, Maggi's favorite foods include lamb, antelope, carrots, and craisins.
To learn about bears that called Montana Grizzly Encounter their home but have crossed the rainbow bridge, visit our memorials page.
Meet the Goats
The Nigerian Dwarf Goats
Before encountering our rescue bears when you visit MGE, you will first encounter our 4 Nigerian Dwarf Goats. All of our goats have been with us since 2015. They are very sweet boys who love attention. We welcome guests to grab a handful of tall grass to feed the boys as they are very likely to run up to the fence to greet you.
Fun Fact: Goats, along with most other hooved animals, have horizontal rectangular pupils. These pupils give them a field of vision of 320-340 degrees.
G
Meet O.G.$, affectionately known as G, The Original Goat and the pioneer of our goat family at Montana Grizzly Encounter. Alongside Shorty, he holds the esteemed title of the first goats to call MGE home. As the boss of our small herd, G asserts his presence with a distinct "boss noise" that is unmistakable once heard. Beneath his leadership, G remains a sweet and welcoming character, often one of the first to eagerly run over and greet visitors at the fence. Get ready to be charmed by G's unique personality and the authentic spirit he brings to our sanctuary.
Shorty
Meet Shorty, the easygoing second-in-command of our goat herd at Montana Grizzly Encounter. A laid-back and chill dude, Shorty finds bliss lounging on his goat playground, basking in the sun. Recognized by some of our guests as "The Unigoat," Shorty sports a unique charm with a single small horn sprouting from his head. His relaxed demeanor adds a touch of tranquility to our sanctuary, inviting visitors to share in the serene joy of observing this one-horned wonder.
Dante
Dante, the next addition to the Montana Grizzly Encounter goat family following the legacy of G and Shorty. Dante captivates with his brilliant blue eyes, reminiscent of Mac, and sports sweet, round chipmunk cheeks. Cloaked in mostly black, his charm is enhanced by frosted ears and moon spots. Despite being around the same age as his companions, Dante assumes the role of the baby in the herd, adding an endearing touch to the dynamic group of goats at MGE.
Mac
Meet Mac, a heartwarming presence in the Montana Grizzly Encounter goat family. Despite overcoming challenges from his past when his previous herd faced a dog attack, Mac exudes resilience and love. A gentle soul, Mac cherishes the head scratches he receives from our visitors. Watch for him engaging in playful headbutting competitions with his brothers, embodying the spirit of camaraderie within our goat herd at MGE.
You may also see...
Richardson's Ground Squirrels
When you visit Montana Grizzly Encounter in the spring or summer, chances are you'll encounter a resident rodent that often prompts the question, "Are those prairie dogs running around?" While they may resemble prairie dogs or gophers, they are, in fact, Richardson's Ground Squirrels. Named after the Scottish naturalist Sir John Richardson, these squirrels are also known as flickertails due to their constantly trembling tails.
Living in colonies, ground squirrels exhibit fascinating behavior. They emit high-pitched whistle alarms for ground threats and chirp alarms for threats in the sky. Unlike our rescue bears, these wild ground squirrels hibernate annually, with some beginning as early as July.
Mountain Cottontail
While exploring Montana Grizzly Encounter, keep an eye out for our Nigerian Dwarf Goats sharing their habitat with Mountain Cottontail bunnies. These adorable bunnies may also be spotted freely roaming throughout the sanctuary. They haven't escaped from a habitat but are a wild colony that has chosen MGE as their home.
Witness the delightful sight of these cottontails enjoying snacks of hay with our goats and seeking refuge under the gift shops. Whether you visit in spring, summer, fall, or winter, there's a chance to encounter these Mountain Cottontails year-round at MGE. Here's a fun fact: a group of rabbits can also be referred to as a fluffle.
Weasels
At Montana Grizzly Encounter, we've been graced by visits from both the smaller, short-tailed weasel and the larger, long-tailed weasel. These diminutive yet fearless carnivores play a vital role in maintaining the balance of the rodent population within the sanctuary. Both the short-tailed and long-tailed weasels exhibit seasonal coat colors, boasting brown coats in the summertime and transitioning to fully white coats in the winter. Regardless of the season, their tails retain a distinctive black tip.
Keep a keen eye during your visit to MGE, as there's a chance you might spot a weasel gracefully cruising around the viewing area, ever on the hunt for its next meal.
The Corvids
As you observe our rescue bears in their habitat, you'll notice a fascinating addition to the foraging scene – other animals sharing the space. Among the most common critters are three members of the corvid family: the Crow, the Raven, and the Magpie. Renowned for their exceptional intelligence, corvids stand out as among the most clever birds, showcasing impressive tool-making abilities and apparent self-awareness.
The presence of these birds at our sanctuary provides a unique opportunity to educate visitors about the relationship between wild bears and corvids. In the wild, you'll often find crows, ravens, and magpies near a feasting bear. Similar to their behavior in the wild, these birds sneak away with the enrichment we hide in the habitat for our bears, creating a dynamic and educational interaction between species at Montana Grizzly Encounter.
Common Ravens & American Crows
Often confused for each other, there are many ways to tell the difference between Ravens and Crows. When observed side-by-side, the most apparent distinction is size, with the raven being significantly larger than the crow. For individual identification, there are a few specific traits to note.
Common Raven
- Thick hooked beak with longer beak feathers
- Neck feathers are longer and shaggy
- Tail feather flats out into a diamond or wedge
- More soaring and acrobatics
- Deep croak or “gronk”
- Seen mostly in pairs
American Crow
- Straight beak with smaller beak feathers
- Neck feathers are smooth
- Tail feathers flats out into a fan
- More likely flapping while flying
- Short, rhythmic “caw””
- Seen in large groups called Murders
Black-billed Magpies
The lively Magpies, frequently spotted at MGE, are not only a visual delight but also make their presence known through their constant chattering. These birds are almost always engaged in a symphony of different chirps and calls. Adorned with vibrant blue and iridescent black feathers, complemented by their long tails, Magpies are truly a sight to behold.
In line with their spirited nature, a group of Magpies is appropriately called a mischief. This playful moniker finds historical roots in the Lewis and Clark Expedition, where Magpies were reported to boldly hop into tents to pilfer food, showcasing their mischievous and bold characteristics.
Contact Information
Phone: 406-586-8893
Email: info@grizzlyencounter.org
Address:
80 Bozeman Hill Rd.
Bozeman, Montana 59715