Smithers, BC 0km

So now to tell you why we made our way to Smithers. Today we attended a dedication of a new bear cub enclosure in memory of Norma’s sister-in-law’s deceased brother Bruce. This took place at the Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter just outside of Smithers. The shelter has been providing care for injured and orphaned wildlife for over 30 years. They accept wild animals from squirrels to grizzly bears from all over BC. Their aim is to release the animals back into their home habitat once it is determined the animal can survive in the world. Pre COVID the shelter would host an open house once a year on Canada day. It is off limits any other day and was only open for us today because of the dedication.

As attendees of the dedication ceremony the staff provided us with a tour of most of the facility (not all, as some of the animals were being isolated from human contact prior to being released). We saw the hospital where injured wildlife were being cared for (e.g. a black bear cub that was hit by a vehicle) as well as various enclosures with bears, a siberian lynx (apparently someone’s “pet” that got too hard to care for), a porcupine, fox kits, etc. There were two moose calves that were being bottle fed – they are “vigorous” feeders!

There were three tiny cubs in the new enclosure. They were very shy as they had just arrived a day ago. There were 8 cubs in another enclosure where they were climbing, rough housing and generally being kids. Very cute and entertaining.

The actual dedication took place in front of the new bear cub facility and involved the presentation of a plaque, the planting of a lilac tree with some ashes and the placement of two commemorative stones. The weather was beautiful in a wonderful setting at an admirable facility, with a snow capped Hudson Bay mountain in the background. A satisfying day.