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ORR- Limited public weekend viewing of the black bears at the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary will continue through July, but August sessions may disappear completely if volunteers aren’t found …
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ORR- Limited public weekend viewing of the black bears at the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary will continue through July, but August sessions may disappear completely if volunteers aren’t found to help staff them.
Former Executive Director Steph Horner stepped back into the position in June after the new director hired to replace her abruptly quit, and ever since she’s been trying to recover from a staffing crisis that forced the sanctuary to close temporarily and then open weekends only. Hoping to expand to full hours by mid-July, Horner reluctantly announced continuation of the Saturday-Sunday schedule on Tuesday due to a continuing shortage of volunteers.
“We will be open every Saturday and Sunday for the month of July from 5-8 p.m., with viewing continuing until dusk,” Horner said in a social media post. “Our hours of operation in August will depend on staffing. At this time, we do not have the staffing to be open in August.”
August is normally the time when summer interns begin to transition away from the sanctuary to return to their schools and homes and volunteers step in. But with only two interns on staff this summer instead of the normal 10-15, public viewing in August will have to be terminated so that the few staff and volunteers who remain can devote their time to feeding the bears, unless more regular volunteers can be found.
“Now is the time to volunteer if you always wanted to,” Horner said.
Potential volunteers should contact Horner by emailing bears@americanbear.org.
Bear breakfast
The ever-popular Breakfast with the Bears will be back on Saturday, July 16 from 7-9 a.m. The ticket price of $40 includes breakfast, beverages, and a souvenir Breakfast with the Bears mug. Register online at www.americanbear.org/event-calendar/breakfast-with-the-bears to reserve your spot.
Meanwhile, donation requests are normal during the regular season, and Horner is once again asking for the public’s help at the iconic Orr attraction.
“We are still accepting bear food donations and monetary donations for bear food,” Horner said. “These are critical times for us, so please consider a donation.”
Those considering food should donate only dried fruits, nuts, seed, apples and watermelon, and regardless of public viewing hours, the bears will be fed their regular diets every day, Horner said. Donate to the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary by going online to www.americanbear.org/get-involved/donate.