North American Bear Center

We enjoyed the Bear Center this year on our visit to Ely.  This center has acreage for the 4 resident bears to live.  The bears Lucky, Honey, Holly and Ted are residents.  Honey is 19, Ted 18, Lucky 8 and Holly 2 years.  Ted was in an enclosed area while Lucky the other resident male was outside.

Ted

Ted

You will see them in my photos. The Bear Center is beautiful inside and out. We spent hours here reading and studying about Black Bears as well as bears in general.  The outside viewing area is wonderful. You have the opportunity to photograph as well as observe the bears. There is a great nature trail you can walk and the trees and plants are identified for you. We found this information to be very informative and helpful in learning the native plants and trees of the area. We enjoyed the tour offered to go behind the scenes and see how things are done at the Bear center.  One of the missions of the center is to educate humans about living and sharing the environment with black bears.  As people learn more about black bears, they become more tolerant.  Today, people are allowing black bears to repopulate parts of America where bears had not lived in a long time. Please visit the North American Bear Center if you visit the Ely, Minnesota area. Blessings!

Holly

Holly

Honey

Honey

Outdoor area, Bear Center

Honey

Lucky

Lucky

Lucky

Lucky