The Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter has plans of building a new black bear enclosure to accommodate a record influx of rescued cubs this spring.
To foot the estimated 35 thousand dollar bill to construct the enclosure, they’re running a fundraiser, started today by wildlife photographer john Marriott.
“John Marriott has done up a whole bunch of prizes for those that donate,” including a 3 day stay at a wildlife resort down in Bella Coola, explains co-founder Angelika Langen of the shelter, located just outside of Smithers.
She says they’re expecting more rescues this autumn.
“We don’t want to be caught in a situation where we’re turning bears down…the shelter is growing in the long-run, so this is really needed anyway…When the food becomes less available…the bears are showing up round people and that’s when we typically get more cubs,” ahead of hibernation, explains Langen.
They have 25 cubs that were rescued so far this year, up from their usual 2 or 3. And feeding the cubs has also pushed costs past their regular budget, including the need for an enclosure.
The fundraiser is a type of raffle – with donations 60 dollars and over putting people in the draw for the three day resort holiday.
Donations can be made below at Marriott’s website:
http://www.exposedwithjohnemarriott.com/nlws/
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