Bozeman, MT – Montana Grizzly Encounter (MGE) offers visitors a chance to see Grizzly Bears up close in a sanctuary that strives to offer a natural mountain setting and provide education to the public. The sanctuary receives no government funding. The sanctuary is currently home to 5 grizzly bears. There is a large outdoor area that has a pond, rocks and vegetation that the bears get to spend time in on a rotating schedule. This space overlooks the surrounding mountains. There are usually 2 bears out at once except for the very end of the day when the oldest bear is able to spend time outdoors alone. The staff provide information about the bears and safety in bear country to visitors.
Montana Grizzly Encounter is located in Bozeman
Founded in 2004, the sanctuary was started to house Brutus the Bear, who you may recognize from the TV show “America the Wild” starring Casey Anderson. Brutus was rescued as a cub in Montana and now checks in at about 7 feet tall and weighs 900 lbs! In addition to his role on “America the Wild”, Brutus has had parts in several movies, tv ads, and Public Service Announcements. Brutus is a big boy and regularly eats 40-50 pounds of food per day.
Brutus the Bear is a TV and movie star
Brutus weighs in at 900 pounds
Jake and Maggi were born at a wildlife park in Georgia in 2006, but were unable to stay there. They are brother and sister. Wildlife Safari in Oregon rescued them, but was unable to provide a long term home for them. Jake and Maggi moved to MGE in 2008 when they were 2 years old. It took them 2 months to try playing outside. They are now adult bears and usually love their time outside. Maggi looked anxious during our visit, as she was repeatedly walking in a small circle. This was most likely due to the strong smell of wildfires. Jake is taller but more slender than Brutus. Maggi is the smallest bear and is more petite than the other female (Bella).
Jake relaxes in the pond on a hot day
Maggi is the smallest bear at the sanctuary
Maggi poses
Jake strolls across the enclosure
Bella was born in Delta Junction, Alaska. She was left alone in the wilderness when she was about 4-5 months old. She was found waiting in a tree for her mother who never returned. She was brought to MGE at about 1.5 feet long and 20 lbs. She has grown into a good sized female at about 600 lbs, which is large for a female in the lower 48, but she is an Alaskan brown bear. She spends her time outside with Brutus and they seemed to get along very well during our visit.
Bella is a 3 year old female
Bella’s front claws and prominent grizzly hump on display
Sheena is the oldest bear who is now 31 years old. She lived in a small cage (6 feet by 4 feet) in someone’s backyard for 18 years before being rescued. She shared that cage with her sister for the first 15 of those years! She used to spend time outdoors with Brutus, but as she has gotten older they have given her time outside alone so that she does not accidentally get injured by Brutus. She is the one bear we did not get to see.
Located conveniently off of I-90 in Bozeman, Montana, this is a great stop on your way to Yellowstone National Park or if you are heading east/west through Montana. The address is 80 Bozeman Hill Road, Bozeman, MT 59715. We visited here while we were staying at the Sunrise Campground in Bozeman. The current rate (2017) was $7 for adults (13+ years), $5 for children (4-12 years) and $6 for seniors (65+). Admission is used toward the cost of feeding and caring for the bears. Hours vary slightly by season. Our admission was good for the day we arrived and the following day, you may come and go as many times as you like. This gives you the opportunity to see different bears and different times of day. Find out the bear rotation schedule. A good time to visit is about 30-45 minutes before one group goes inside and the next bears come out. The sanctuary staff hide food items throughout the space for the bears in between groups and the outcoming bears are usually very enthusiastic to find the treats.
