Company Profile

Company Overview

The North American Bear Center is the only black bear and wildlife educational facility of its kind. Dedicated to replacing old myths with facts, people learn from the bears themselves about bear behavior, ecology, and their relations with humans. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and opened in May 2007. We have 3 ambassador bears that share a 2.5 acre enclosure. Each bear has their own unique story of why/how they became unable to live in the wild anymore. The enclosure is naturally forested with a man made pond, waterfalls, and several bear dens. Visitors can learn from the bears themselves and by wandering our expansive museum. Our Northwoods Ecology Hall (opened spring 2015) features the many animals that black bears encounter in northwoods habitats and includes the history and values of those habitats. Exhibits include a 660-gallon aquarium, terrariums with local reptiles and amphibians (turtle, snakes, fish, salamanders, toads and frogs), a majestic bull moose mount, woodland caribou mount, and a 40-foot wildlife exhibit showcasing over 35 mammals and birds in seasonal habitat settings. Our cub room beckons kids of all ages to explore the hidden world of black bears. Children and cubs learn by play and socialization. The Cub Room encourages exploration by touch and educational displays featuring a coloring & reading area, games to play, videos showing the relationship between a mother bear and her cubs, and a walk-through bear den where children can act like bears and crawl inside and explore. The Bear Center also has a theater where you can watch the full-length BBC documentary “Bearwalker of the Northwoods” featuring Dr. Lynn Rogers. Finally, you can learn about trees, plants, wild bear foods, bear and animal sign while taking a casual walk on our quarter-mile interpretive nature trails. Trails are self-guided. We offer many interpretive programs for all ages that enhance your knowledge and peak your interest in bears and northwoods ecology.