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Large mammal facility This facility was built specifically for black bear cubs. However, it has been used for other medium-sized mammals whenever we are void of bears (which isn't often). All our facilities are built to prevent escape, but this one in particular! If there is the smallest escape route, a baby bear will find it. A double entry system was installed so the caretaker could enter and close the outer door before ever opening the door to the pen. Inside the main facility is a heavy-duty metal pen. For the most part, it is used simply as a “den,” but occasionally we have to cordon off a cub while we clean out the pen. That is actually rare, though. Because each animal has only one human caretaker and because we raise each animal as close to the way the mother would as is humanly possible, the animals see Dana as mom bear (or squirrel or whatever). That allows her to enter their facility without fear. By the same token, we recognize and respect that wild animals are wild and, even in playing, can cause serious injury. A 5 pound cub, anxious for her bottle, taught an improperly clad Dana that sharp claws can leave permanent scars. So we are well aware that a 90 pound cub can do some serious damage if not careful. The pen holds a large trough, used more for playing than drinking. Cubs love water and will play in the tub the same way small children play in a pool. They take their paws and splash each other, slide on their bellies (the pen is on a small incline), and spray water out of their lips. A smaller tub holds their drinking water. Tucked in one corner of the pen is a "cave" for them to sleep in or hide inside if they hear a strange noise. Because bears like to sleep in den-like areas in the wild, this "cave" gives them that same sense of security. The pen has a roof to keep bad weather at bay while the cubs are small. Once transferred to the remote three acre pen in Caswell County, there is no roof, just as there would be no roof in the wild. There are, however, many den sites for them to get out of the weather if they wish. Update: In February of 2007, Kindred Spirits was overwhelmed with seven little bears! As a result, we had to create a second bear pen. It is very similar to the first pen except this one has a huge oak tree in it for the cubs to partially climb, run around, or hide behind. (The bears can only climb so high because the pen has a secure roof.) |