“If we have the ability to help an animal in need, then we are morally obligated to do so”

Extinct is Forever!

We are a volunteer driven non-profit organization dedicated to the survival of rare and endangered species. We are also involved in humane wildlife rescue and rehabilitation of animals involved in public concerns, and as always, we provide a safe haven for unwanted, abused and injured exotic and zoo surplus animals.


FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
or Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my!

Q: Are you open to the public?
Bear Creek Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary is no longer open to the general public.
For all who have supported us, we say thank you, and hope to continue to receive your support .

For those who wish to continue supporting us through adoptions , please call for an appointment to visit with your adopted animal and have a personal tour of the sanctuary. Appointments will be scheduled during the months of June, July, August and September, weather permitting. Please note: Visitors who have adopted at the levels of "Friend" or "Guardian" will be required to make a minimum donation of $10.00 per person at the time of the tour.

For outreach programs & presentations,
please call Mary Sever (705) 721-4730 or email Bear Creek Information
Once again, Thank you for your past, present and future support.

Q: When we visit our adopted animal can we take pictures?
No, sorry, only our official photographers are permitted to take pictures of the animals. We do have beautiful posters though, available through our online store for a small donation.

Q: Where do you get your funding?
All of our funding is donation based. All of our staff are volunteers. Visit our volunteer page for information on volunteering.

Q: Where do the animals come from?
Our animals are unwanted, abused and injured exotic and zoo surplus animals.
Most of them would have been euthanized if they hadn't come here.

Q. How many animals do you have?
We have over 100 animals.

Q. What kinds of animals do you have?
We have Siberian tigers, lions, cougars, timber and Arctic wolves, a black bear, a jaguar, jaglions, a coyote, foxes, Canadian and Eurasian lynx, servals, white tailed deer, emus, macaws, cockatoos, cockatiels, a ring necked dove, golden pheasants, lovebirds, a caique, a great horned owl, a ring tailed lemur, monkeys, coatimundi, and raccoons. To see photographs of our animals go to the "Meet Our Animals" page.

Q: If I adopt an animal can I take it home?
No, when you adopt an animal you are supporting it financially. These
animals are wild and need the very specific care that they get at Bear Creek, so they
need to stay here. Wild animals don't make good pets! If you would like to visit your adopted animal you can make an appointment. For more information on adopting an animal, click here

Q: What do the animals eat?
Our large carnivores (tigers, lions, etc.) eat domestic turkeys just like you have for Thanksgiving. The only difference is theirs have the heads, feet and feathers on. The smaller carnivores (foxes, great horned owl) eat chickens. The bear eats everything. The lemurs, monkeys and raccoons get monkey chow and fresh fruits and veggies. nuts and dates. (Thursday is jam sandwich day.) The emus get cracked corn, emu chow, apples, and grass or clover in the spring and summer. The parrots and lovebirds get specialized seed mixes plus fresh fruit and veggies. The deer get carrots, deer chow, whole corn, cracked corn, banana and melon peels and molasses feed. They also get ferns and maple leaves during the spring and summer and hay in the winter. To see photos of a typical breakfast for the little guys go here .

Q. Can we donate food?
No, we have to control very carefully everything the animals eat. If you want to help support the animals the best way is to adopt an animal , make a donation, buy BCEWS products at Cafe Press or buy some posters. You can do all of that online.

Q: Do you cook the carnivore's food?
No, we try to keep their diet as close to what they'd get in nature as we
can. The carnivores need the feathers and bones from their food
to keep them healthy.

Q. Do you have a gift shop?
W e have a new store at Cafe Press for t-shirts, sweatshirts and gifts, and a series of beautiful posters that can be yours for a very small donation. All profits from sales of Bear Creek Sanctuary merchandise go directly to the animals.

If you have any other questions please call us at
(705) 721-4730 or email Mary

All images and content in this website are Copyright protected © 2004-2010, Bear Creek Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary,
Andrzej Taramina, Dana Taramina, and Beth Grace.
All Rights Reserved.
Any unauthorized use of images or content from this site will be prosecuted.