Submitted by Northwest Trek
There’s a baby boom underway at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park.
Two bison calves and two bighorn sheep lambs were born over the last several days, bringing the total of newborns of each species to three since calf and lamb season began.
More newborns are expected in the bison herd and bighorn sheep population. And several Roosevelt elk cows are pregnant, too, keepers report.
The calves and lambs are sticking close to their mothers in the meadows and on the hillsides of the wildlife park’s 435-acre Free-Roaming Area, where herds roam at will through the landscape.
Visitors to Northwest Trek can look for them from the comfort of a 50-minute naturalist guided tram tour.
The three-day Memorial Day weekend is a great time to plan a trip to the wildlife park to do a little baby animal spotting.
“It’s always exciting for us to witness the joy and wonder on our visitors faces when they get to experience seeing a new calf or lamb for the first time,” Northwest Trek Education Curator Jessica Moore said. “Spring is a wonderful time to visit the wildlife park and learn about native Northwest animals.”
Visitors to the wildlife park also can walk forested paths to view American black bears, a grizzly bear, Canada lynx, gray wolves, red foxes, beavers, a river otter and other animals in exhibits that showcase these animals in natural
habitat.
The beaver kit that had been expected in that part of the wildlife park was stillborn to its 9-year-old mother last week, veterinarian Dr. Allison Case said. The kit was full term and there were no obvious signs of trauma, Case added. The results of a necropsy are pending. The mother is doing well, Case said.
For more information about Northwest Trek and animals to see at the wildlife park, go to www.nwtrek.org.
Northwest Trek is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The wildlife park will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Memorial Day.
