Distinctly Montana Magazine

Woody Eddie Charlie Garfield Winnie Lewis Elijah BEARTOOTH NATURE CENTER: BY VIRGINIA A. BRYAN An assortment of animals and birds with catchy names, quirky personalities, and compelling stories have found a home at the Beartooth Nature Center on the outskirts of Red Lodge, Montana. Thor, a North American lynx, Harry, the magpie, Chey- enne, the barn owl, and Helen, a mountain lion, and oth- ers in the furred and feathered menagerie can’t be returned to the wild because they’ve been injured or imprinted by humans. The Center takes these animals in, much like foster children, nurtures them and then gives them a new purpose. The animals and birds who reside there teach us how the ravages of nature and our human mistakes affect the wildlife of our region. “We are a hidden gem on the edge of Yellowstone National Park,” said Jeff Ewelt, executive director. Ewelt has a background in zoo work and animal training. “You can see the animals and birds of Yellowstone up close and personal here.” There are few places in Montana or Wyoming where you can see a moun- tain lion’s whiskers twitch, watch a barn owl blink, or see a playful raccoon peek through a weathered fence. And who knows what the black bears, the red fox, the porcupine, the coy- ote, the turtles, the turkey vulture, pheasants, and fawn, a bunny or other wild infant and brought it to BNC. “If you care,” said Ewelt, “leave it there.” Chances are good that mama is close by. Ewelt suggests folks leave animal babies where they lay and notify the local sher- iff or game warden. Human interference endangers the maternal bond and affects an animal’s ability to survive in the wild. Helen, the mountain lion, was abandoned as a kitten because she had a lung infection. She’s grown up to become “the face” of Beartooth Nature Center. Lewis and Clark, twin lion kittens, were orphaned when their mother was shot by a hunter while carrying them in her mouth across a private field. “CHEYENNE IS RECLU- SIVE BY NATURE,” EWELT SAID. “SHE’LL GIVE YOU THE LOOK OF DEATH IF SHE’S NOT IN THE MOOD FOR TRAINING. mule deer might do on the day of your visit? Smiley, the mule deer, has been known to nuzzle up to the fence line to greet visitors. She may let you touch her antlers, which are, to the surprise of many, warm and furry. Ewelt, who took the helm at Beartooth Nature Center in 2008, is now known as “Jeff the Nature Guy.” Since then, he’s had too many calls from well-intentioned hunt- ers, hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts who’ve found a 88 Imprinting can occur when wild animals are taken in by humans as pets and for a variety of reasons, the relation- ship can’t continue. Harry, the magpie, is a good example of what can go wrong. Harry lived the tamed life for years to the amusement of his famous Montana owner. He could say his name, “hello,” “no,” and mimic social banter. Then, Harry began pecking at the heads of his owner’s guests. What’s a magpie to do when he’s met Mikhail Gorbachev and tasted barbequed buf- falo? Surviving in the wild for Harry, and other Center residents, is no longer an option. Luckily, there was room for him at Beartooth Nature Center. When animals are turned away, it’s because of insufficient funds for food and long term care or inadequate facilities. Every animal acquisition at BNC must pass local, state and federal permitting regulations. Ewelt is mindful of the downside of captivity for the animals under his care. “They get bored easily,” he noted. After settling in as director, Ewelt took to training Chey- enne, a barn owl who suffered lung damage from smoke inhalation in a Wyoming forest fire. With her diminished DISTINCTLY MONTANA • SPRING 2011

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