What do they eat?

American Badgers are a fossorial carnivore which means they are adapted for digging and living underground. Most of the food they eat, they find underground such as pocket gophers, ground squirrels and moles but they also eat some plants and even poisonous snakes.

How long do they live?

Badgers have been known to live to about 25 years in captivity, although a life span of 15 to 20 years is more common.

How many babies can they have?

Badgers can have from 1 to 5 offspring but 3 is the average.

Where are they found?

Badgers are found mainly in the western regions of North America and also portions of Canada.

Interesting facts:

• Badgers are so aggressive they have been known to back down bears when they are confronted.
• Badgers are excellent diggers and have been known to dig through 2 inches of concrete.
• Badgers have delayed implantation and the babies do not start developing for a couple of months after mating.

American Badger at the zoo

Lotus - She came to the zoo in December of 2005 when she was one year old. She was found abandoned at the side of a road at a very young age and was raised by a rehabilitator. Since she was so young when she was found, she imprinted on humans and could not be released back to the wild. Lotus loves frozen rats and plays with them for a while when she is given one.

Docent / Volunteer Program

Donate your time and talents to the Big Bear Alpine Zoo!

Docents / Volunteers are always needed, and there are plenty of opportunities.

This program is for people who enjoy learning about wildlife and the environment,

and like working with people who feel the same.

Volunteer Docents

What is a Docent?

A Docent is a visiting teacher, lecturer or tour guide.

Docent Opportunities

• Tours – conduct or help with tours of the Zoo for schools, churches, camp groups, as well as visitors from around the world
• Travel with some of the educational animals and their keepers to schools and off-site locations
• Roamer – Educating the public about our zoo and its unique residents

General Volunteers

Volunteers can help with a variety of activities around the zoo,

below are some examples:

Qualifications

• All Docents / Volunteers must enjoy working with adults and children.
• All Docents / Volunteers must purchase a “Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo” shirt, as there is a uniform requirement.
• All Docents / Volunteers must be a member in good standing with the “Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo”.
• All Docents / Volunteers must conduct themselves in a professional manner.

Volunteer Hours Per Year

A minimum of 20 volunteer hours must be completed during our fiscal year to be considered an “Active” docent.

Training

Our Docents / Volunteers are required to complete a training program. We currently offer four consecutive Saturdays or four consecutive Thursdays (subject to change). This training is offered once or twice a year, typically one course is offered in April, and the other in May. For class dates and itinerary (click here).

Requirements

• MUST be a least 18 years of age
• All Docents / Volunteers MUST maintain a membership with the Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo.
• All Docents / Volunteers MUST be fingerprinted and background checked by the County of San Bernardino. This service is offered free of charge through the Big Bear Valley Recreation & Park District, AFTER the required training classes have been completed. Until this process has been completed AND approved, your ability to participate will be very limited. The fingerprinting and background check is for the safety of the zoo visitors, and is required by law.
• You will only be considered a Docent / Volunteer AFTER you have been approved for the program.

Docent / Volunteer Program Application

All Docent / Volunteer candidates must complete a program application prior to classes

(click here for on-line application)

OR if you prefer to mail in your application, you can pick one up at:

41220 Park Ave., Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

(From Big Bear Blvd, turn north onto Mountainaire. When you get to Park Ave., in front of you will be a driveway into Swim Beach. We are located in the parking lot of Swim Beach, in the building to your right.)

For additional information, email fobbaz@fobbaz.org or call (909) 878-4200

The Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo

We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Big Bear Alpine Zoo improvements and providing opportunities to learn about wildlife.

BASIC MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS*

• Free Park admission for one year
• Member newsletter
• Free admission to selected events
• Free Docent Training
• 10% off merchandise in the gift shop
• Free or reduced entry fees to reciprocal parks.

Membership is non-transferable, only names on the membership card are legitimate users of the membership card. Card holder must be present. Your membership card and a photo ID are required to enter the park or to receive your gift shop discount.

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES

• Individual Membership $40/Yr - One person with Basic Benefits.
• Couple $55/Yr - Two (2) Adults or One (1) Adult & One(1) Child under 18 with Basic Benefits.
• Family Membership $75 - Two (2) adults, up to three (3) children (Under age 18) with Basic Benefits; Additional children $5.00 per child
• Grandparents Membership $75 - Two (2) adults, up to three (3) grandchildren (Under age 18) with Basic Benefits; Additional grandchildren $5.00 per child
• Contributing Member** $200/Yr - Family Membership Benefits and two (2) additional accompanying guests each visit plus two (2) additional $2 discount coupons towards zoo admission
• Supporting Member** $250/Yr - Family Membership Benefits and three (3) additional accompanying guests each visit plus three (3) additional $2 discount coupons towards zoo admission and one (1) animal adoption of your choice
• Sustaining Member** $500/Yr - Family Membership Benefits and four (4) additional accompanying guests each visit plus four (4) additional $2 discount coupons towards zoo admission (1) animal adoption of your choice, and one (1) paving stone with family name in designated area in the new zoo
• Curator’s Circle** $5,000 one time (lifetime) gift - Family Membership Benefits for lifetime plus five (5) additional accompanying guests each visit, one (1) animal adoption of your choice, one (1) paving stone with family name in designated area in the new zoo, annual behind the scenes tour of the Zoo, 20% discount in the Zoo Gift Shop for membership card holders, and a lifetime plaque on the Curator’s Circle Wall

*Benefits subject to change without notice.
** All but $75 is tax deductible.

To join or renew your membership with the Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo, mail the completed FOMZ Membership Form, or make a secure online credit card purchase.

To contact the Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo, please visit click here.

Become a Member/Renewal

Ready to join? Need to renew? Click Here

Become a Volunteer
Want to contribute your knowledge, expertise, or skills? Click Here

Support the Zoo 
Big Bear Alpine Zoo appreciates your support! Click Here to see how you can help out.

Big Bear Valley Business Supporters
Here is an opportunity for many business owners to make a difference in the lives of the animals along with everyone in the Big Bear Valley. Click Here to give your support today!

Office Mailing Address:
PO Box 2557
Big Bear City, CA 92314

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 10:00AM – 4:00PM
Office Phone Number:909-878-4200
Office Fax Number:  909-878-4212
Gift Shop Number: 909-584-1171

We LOVE gift cards for Home Depot, Lowes, Vons, Stater Bros, Petsmart, etc.

Animal Care Items

• Avederm Loafs for the Bear’s Skin (Petsmart, Petco)
• Baby bottles, slow flow nipples, animal baby bottles, squirrel feeding tubes etc. (Chris’ Squirrels on line)
• Baby food – Gerber’s rice cereal, chicken, beef, spinach, bananas, sweet potatoes
• Blankets, sheets, towels
• Falconry gloves – small medium and large (Northwoods or Mike’s Falconry online)
• First aid kits – large
• Formula for the babies – Esbilac, KMR, multi milk, zoologic milk replacer (petag.com)
• Specialized formulas – (Fox Valley Animal Nutrition online)
• Handling gloves – Kevlar, etc. (aces animal care equipment.com)
• Heat lamps (ceramic base) and heat bulbs 250 watt
• Heating pads – no auto shut off – for infants and sick animals
• Kitty litter, shavings, reptile substrates
• Leashes and collars, all sizes
• Meal worms, wax worms, crickets, gold fish
• Medical supplies for the animals
• Nets, capture equipment (aces and pneudart online)
• Omega 3 oil for bears skin and coat, (Kvet Supplies, Calvet Supplies)
• Orchard, Timothy, Bermuda, alfalfa and straw hays
• Pig pad/dog heaters – warmers
• Reptile heaters, ceramic heat bulbs, night bulbs, 50 watt and higher.
• Reptile thermostats (Fish Locker/VCA/ LLLreptile.com)
• Sampo swivels all sizes, perches, jesses (Northwoods and Mikes Falconry on line)
• Turtle food – floating
• Vitamins for dogs and cats (Missing link)

Enrichment Items

• Bones – raw knuckle
• Boomer balls, eggs, etc.
• Christmas trees live and cut
• Coconuts – Grizzlies love them
• Dog Biscuits Large Milk Bone – adult wolves love them
• Edible Browse – branches with leaves from willow, poplar, apple, acacia
• Kong dog toys – the really large tough ones
• Listerine and other items for scent enrichment – perfumes, cinnamon, catfish bait
• Mixed nuts
• Molasses and honey
• Pomegranates & pumpkins (Grizzlies love them)
• PVC pipe, 3” in diameter and larger plus end caps for enrichment
• Wheat grass in pots
• Yarn

Facility Items

• 2 way radios, Midland GXT5000 or GXT1000VP4 (midlandradio.com)
• Chairs, tables, file cabinets
• Clips and carabineers
• Crates dog and cat
• Cutting boards
• Fish tank filter and pump
• Food bowls – stainless steel, all sizes
• Food prep table – stainless steel
• Food storage tubs – large- tough Rubbermaid with lids
• Heavy duty laminator
• Industrial washer and dryer
• Knives – kitchen
• Microwave oven
• Plastic bags – Ziploc various sizes
• Skeletons for education (bone clones.com)
• Walk-in freezer or other large freezer and refrigerator
• Warm gloves

Maintenance Items

• Astroturf
• Batteries
• Brooms & mops, mop buckets
• Buckets
• Cages and runs- all sizes
• Cat box pans for foot baths
• Chain link, metal poles, gates, etc.
• Chain saw, all other power tools
• Corrugated sheet metal for roofing
• Dust pans – metal
• Extension cords
• EZ up canopies, 10×10 or 10×12
• Flashlights, lanterns, power spots, etc
• Flex rakes
• Generator – portable for emergency power
• Hoses – High pressure, commercial grade, 50+ feet
• Ice picks, axes, breaker bars, pitch forks
• Linoleum – commercial grade
• Propane and electric heaters
• Propane torches
• Reciprocating saw blades
• Rope, chain, zip ties, wire
• Shovels and snow shovels
• Small refrigerator
• Snow blowers, weed whackers, lawn mower
• Steam cleaner – high pressure
• Table saw
• Tarps, shade cloth (heavy)
• Tools of all kinds: Open end wrenches, socket set, pliers, ice scrapers
• Vacuum cleaner – industrial and shop
• Wheel barrows
• Wood for shelves and den boxes- 4×4’s, plywood (3/4”)

In 1981, I was hired by the Los Angeles Zoo to work in the Koala House. During the 12 years that I was at the Los Angeles Zoo I was privileged to work in several different areas including the elephant barn, hoof stock, infant care and all of the shows. Eventually I became the Head Animal Trainer and Lead Keeper for the Animal and Bird shows.

In 1994, I was hired at the Moonridge Animal Park (now the Big Bear Alpine Zoo) as a keeper.  I eventually became Lead Keeper and am now the Curator of our facility. I am very proud to be affiliated with a zoological facility whose main concern is the care and protection of animals that have been adversely impacted by humans or their environment.  Each of the animals at our facility would have been euthanized if we did not offer them a place to live. We pride ourselves in safely returning to the wild, all the animals that we have successfully rehabilitated. There is no better feeling than being able to give an animal a second chance at life. I believe and impress upon the keeper staff how important it is for us to take responsibility for the care of those animals that have been negatively impacted through no fault of their own.

Each of the animals in our care is like a member of my family.  When one gets sick or passes away, it is devastating to each of us.  However, that is overcome by the joy we receive from each of the animals that come to the facility.  A few experiences I will always treasure are the three mountain lions that I hand raised from the time they were 4 weeks old, and the nine wolf pups my lead keeper and I hand raised from the time they were a day old.  Each of the animals in our care is special and I count myself lucky each and every day to be able to observe and interact with them.  Animals bring a perspective and a calmness I don’t find anywhere else and I wouldn’t give that up for anything.

I have worked at the zoo for one half of my life.

I have dedicated myself to taking care of the animals that are unable to care for themselves and I am continually attending classes to learn more about the animals in our care.  It really is a dream job to work outside and be surrounded by those that depend on you for their survival.  Animals don’t play games, they either like you or they don’t and I respect that aspect of them.

My favorite part of my position is raising orphan animals and releasing them back in to the wild.  To give them a second chance is a really great experience.

When asked to pick my favorite animal, that is almost impossible to answer.  They are all very special in their own way as I have been at the zoo when most of them came here to live.  Zuni the black bear and I used to rub bellies when I was pregnant.  I love the wolves.  To be able to stand in the middle of a pack of wolves and have them accept you is incredible.  The ravens amaze me with their intelligence and the coyotes are especially entertaining.   My goal for the future is to learn more about the species we care for to better help them adapt to captivity and in rehab.

I hope to continue to educate the public about the animals in our care and to be part of helping the new zoo blossom into awesome.  I love to do animal impressions and can easily get the coyotes and wolves howling for the guests in the zoo.  I have a small home and have happily raised my three children amid hundreds of animals in my care during the 20 plus years I have been working at the zoo, including Huckleberry the three legged bear.