Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, West Yellowstone
Near West Yellowstone, Montana
Just outside Yellowstone's west entrance, the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center houses animals that can no longer safely live in the wild. Lewis Robinson opened it in nineteen ninety-three as the Grizzly Discovery Center, a sanctuary for bears that had lost their wariness of people through encounters with hikers or campers in the national parks. A wolf exhibit was added in nineteen ninety-six.
When the for-profit owner decided to close it in nineteen ninety-nine, three long-term managers raised one point seven million dollars to buy the property and convert it into a nonprofit. Today it cares for grizzly bears, gray wolves, birds of prey, and river otters, all animals that would face death if returned to the wild. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
