Moonridge Animal Park – Big Bear Lake, California
This wildlife preserve has a number of animals from the alpine that are no longer able to live in the wild. Either they have been injured by humans or in some other manner that prevents them from being able to take care of themselves if released.
The Moonridge Animal Park has received animals from numerous different facilities, such as the coyote from the Wildlife Way station in Tujunga, California wehre she was born, or The U.S. Fish and Wildlife which has a “three strikes you’re out” policy with bears. If a bear has been removed from a recreational or residential area three times they can no longer be released back into the wild. Other animals have come from other zoos. The majority of the animals at Moonridge have been injured and need the care offered here. The majority of animals rehabilitated at the Park have been successfully released to the wild. The majority of animals rehabilitated at the Park have been successfully released to the wild.
Educational wildlife programs have grown right along with the resident animal population. Moonridge Animal Park presents zoological information in an historical context, to demonstrate the impact of human social conditions on the well being of wildlife. This is done with the assistance of only non-releasable wildlife that serves as educational ambassadors. Each year, with the help of trained docents, Moonridge Animal Park offers hundreds of educational programs for school children, youth organizations, families, and visitors from around the world.
The growth of the facility is testament to the need for alpine wildlife preservation. Neighboring urban areas have grown and encroached upon bird and animal habitats to the point that the surrounding Big Bear Valley is now classified as an urban forest. The San Bernardino Mountains have become one of the last bastions for future generations to glimpse alpine wildlife in natural ecosystems.
Primarily a zoological facility, Moonridge Animal Park also is a fully licensed, designated care and rehabilitation facility for injured or confiscated animals. Annually, at least 200 injured wild birds and animals are treated here. Over the years, thousands of injured, orphaned, or behaviorally handicapped wildlife have come to Moonridge Animal Park.
The staff also presents off-site educational programs to schools, camps, church or other organizations to educate people about the needs of the animals. Animal Ambassadors include tarantulas, snakes, turtles, hawks, vultures, owls, hedgehogs, opossums, raccoons and much more.
List of Animals:
American Kestrel
Barn Owl
Black Bear
Bobcat
Coati
Coyote
Bald Eagle
Golden Eagle
Fisher
Great Blue Herons
Grey Fox
Grizzly
Horned Owls
Mountain Lion
Mule Deer
Raccoon
Raven
Red Fox
Red Tailed Hawk
Ringtail
Serval
Skunk
Snow Leopard
Timber Wolf
Turkey Vulture
White Pelican
Wood Bison
Hours: OPEN DAILY – WEATHER PERMITTING
JUNE – AUGUST
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
SEPTEMBER – MAY
Mon-Fri 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Sat-Sun 10:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
PARK ADMISSION
Age 11 to Adult – $9.00
Age 3 to 10 – $6.00
Children under 3 – Free
Seniors 60 years and over – $6.00
Prices are subject to change.
Location: 43285 Goldmine Drive in Big Bear Lake, California across the street from Bear Mountain Ski Resort.
Phone Numbers:
General Information: (909) 878-4200
Group Tours & Zoo Camp information: (909) 866-9700
Gift Store: (909) 584-1171
Injured Animal Hotline: (909) 584-1299
Moonridge Animal Park Curator’s Office: (909) 584-1299
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