Powdermag.com Press Release
July 2--Kicking Horse Mountain goes Jellystone
June 30, 2003, Golden, BC... The development of the world's largest, enclosed grizzly bear refuge was announced today at Kicking Horse Mountain, bringing wildlife professionals one step closer to the development of rehabilitation protocols for orphaned grizzly bears. The Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge represents the second phase of a rehabilitation project spearheaded by the Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife in 2001.
The 22-acre habitat at Kicking Horse will provide the infrastructure necessary for wildlife professionals to extend the scientific, environmental and conservation goals of the rehabilitation project. "We've demonstrated at the Grouse Refuge it's possible to offer orphaned bears a second chance at life by providing a safe, humane natural environment overseen by wildlife professionals and leading-edge technology," said Dr. Ken Macquisten, veterinarian and Director of the Refuge.
"This accomplishment led us to the point where we could consider the second phase of the project, namely the establishment of grizzlies at another location that has the land base necessary for bear rehabilitation. We were spared a time-consuming search for expanded grizzly bear habitat when Kicking Horse Mountain generously stepped in offering land and operational support for orphaned bears," he said.
"There currently isn't a protocol for the rehabilitation of orphaned bears in BC. The only alternative to captivity has been destruction," said Gord Vizzutti of Kicking Horse Mountain. "We're honored to support the work of researchers and wildlife professionals in developing a protocol for the rehabilitation and possible release back to the wild of future orphaned grizzly cubs," he said.
Orphaned grizzly bear cubs, Cari and Boo, are expected to be relocated to the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge July 8th, 2003 to champion the next phase of the rehabilitation project. They have resided in a 2.5-acre habitat at the Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife since June 2002 when their mother was illegally shot and killed.
Grizzly bears are currently considered a blue-listed endangered species list in British Columbia due to habitat loss.
Established in June 2003, the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge is a conservation, education and research centre, committed to becoming a world leader in the preservation of grizzly bears. The Refuge is located 2.5 hours west of Calgary on the Trans Canada Highway at Golden, British Columbia. For more information, visit www.kickinghorseresort.com