Inside the Bear's Den - LITERALLY!

If you've been a fan of IEAS long, you've probably heard us talk about Bear Orphanage. Bear Orphanage is comprised of two 5 acre, naturalistic habitats for American black bears. Both habitats contain meadow areas, forest areas, a pond, and more. They allow the black bear residents of IEAS to truly live as wild bears do - but with room service!

One of the most rewarding things we see, in regards to Bear Orphanage, is how "wild" the bears truly area. Though many have been in captivity for the majority of their lives, their instincts are strong and very often, they exhibit the behaviors of a bear in the wild. Digging for grubs, foraging in the brush, climbing trees, and burrowing dens are things we see every day in Bear Orphanage.

Today, on a trek through one section of the habitat, we were able to spot the dens that several of the bears had dug for winter. They are currently unoccupied, as the bears are using the caves that we built and provided for them, so we were able to climb in and snap a few pictures. These pictures show just what a bear's den would look like in the wild. They are certainly smart, angling the dens to block the incoming northern wind, and digging in such a way as to effectively and efficiently block the elements!

We think that this unique look at a bear's den is really awesome, and we hope you do too! It's so amazing that the bears here at IEAS are able to live as wild bears do, AND that they do it so well!

Between Holidays at IEAS

Looks like Kumar has the right post-Thanksgiving idea!

Well, we're STUFFED, but we still managed to roll out the door today and clean the residents' houses! We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and plenty of time to relax and enjoy a break from work. Now that Thanksgiving is past, and Christmas is on the way, it's time for us to share the many ways YOU can help IEAS this season.

If you've been to the Sanctuary, you know our Gift Shop is stocked with plenty of adorable and unique gifts for the animal lover in your life. Stuffed tigers, IEAS t-shirts, and beautiful photos of the Sanctuary residents are sure to make your friends and family smile, and the money used to purchase the gift DIRECTLY benefits the animals! You'll be doing something positive in more ways than one!

Looking for something really special? How about Adopting an Animal for your chosen gift recipient? It's guaranteed to be appreciated, both by your loved one and the animal that your gift will benefit! Maybe you want something on a smaller scale? An Animal Packet might be perfect! Whoever receives that packet will have the opportunity to visit with the animal of their choice at IEAS! You're present will be a hit!

For more ways to help this Holiday Season, check out our How to Help page. There you'll find info about our Wish List, our Sponsorship Program, and more!

Remember, shopping through Yellow Brick Mall ensures donations for the IEAS animals, and shopping at Albertson's, Tom Thumb, and Kroger for your holiday treat will mean a percentage of what you spend for the Sanctuary residents! More info about these programs can also be found on the How to Help page!

Thanks for thinking of IEAS this holiday season! Tis the season, right!? Spread your Christmas spirit to better the lives the animals living at the International Exotic Animal Sanctuary! Remember, a donation in your name or someone else's is a great holiday treat!

And the nominees are....

...the International Exotic Animal Sanctuary! Well, we hope so! IEAS is hoping to take part in Wal-mart's "12 Days of Giving" campaign, but in order to be considered for a portion of 1.5 million dollars in grants, we need YOU to nominate us!

There's no voting and no signing up, just a short nomination form that you can fill out on Facebook! Could it be any easier?!

Here's how YOU can be the reason IEAS wins one of the prizes:

     Short Cut:
         1. Click the link right.... here.
         2. Click the green "Nominate Now" button.
         3.  Fill out the form and SUBMIT.
         4. Sit back and think about the wonderful thing you just did for the animals of IEAS!

     Long Way Around:
         1. Go on Facebook.
         2. Search for Wal-mart and go to their page. (Link to it here)
         3. Click on the little arrow next to their "apps."

        

          4. Click the "12 Days of Giving" App!

          5. See steps 2-4 of the "Short Cut" Method above! 

You only have until November 18th to make your nomination! 

Remember, the five minutes it will take you to nominate IEAS could have an impact that will last forever! 

Thanks to everyone who continues to do their part to help the animals at IEAS!

Bird's Eye View!

Our Curator and Lead Keeper were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to get a bird's eye view of the Sanctuary a few days ago. From about 1,000 feet up, they were able to catch several photos of habitats and finally see the Sanctuary in its entirety!

IEAS

Tiger Habitats

With this look at the approximately 50 acres of IEAS, they quickly realized just how much space the animals have. They got a great look at the 16,500 square foot habitat of Mau, a cheetah, and several tiger habitats, ranging from almost 6,000 square feet to 13,500 square feet.

Many of the IEAS habitats were difficult to see from above, as they were hidden by thick, developed trees, which they were actually quite pleased about! The trees the provide shaded areas in each habitat and give the animals a home that feels safer and more like their natural habitats. Within the habitat, the trees also provide environmental enrichment. They are a place where the animals can scent mark, making the area feel like their own!

Cheetah Habitat

It was such a great opportunity to see the Sanctuary from above! While we can't give aerial tours, we'd love to have you come out and see the Sanctuary from the ground! Remember, tours are every day at 11 AM and Saturdays at 11 AM & 3 PM.