The Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary (formerly Beartooth Nature Center) takes animals that cannot be released into the wild and gives them a home below the Beartooth Mountains on the outskirts of Red Lodge.
Most of the animals come from Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks. Some were confiscated when people illegally kept them as pets; others were found when their mothers were shot or otherwise orphaned. Some were just donated from private ranches when they no longer wanted them or couldnt keep them.
The nature center is good for the animals and a nice educational experience. The animals are interesting to watch and the gardens are beautifully abloom with native flowers.
Garfield the bobcat is one of the most popular attractions. While it is legal to keep a bobcat as a pet in Montana, most people discover that they aren’t really the best animals to have in the house.
Helen is a beautiful mountain lion that is the first YWS animal to be raised from infancy. She was born in 1994 and left by her mother because of a respiratory infection.
If you have any extra cash around, this is a great organization to donate to–or check their wish list.
Other Red Lodge posts
Red Lodge Road Trip–Are we there, yet? from Montana Parent magazine
Hike the Silver Run Ski Trails Near Red Lodge, Montana
Hike South Fork Grove Creek Near Red Lodge, Montana
Hike to Island and Night Lakes in the Beartooths
Drive the Beartooth Scenic Highway from Red Lodge to Cooke City
Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary: Red Lodge, Montana
Field Trip Friday: Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary