Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center helps test bear proof containers

This summer, nearly 200,000 tourists are predicted to drive through West Yellowstone, Montana on their way to Yellowstone National Park. On the way, many will stop at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone. Once there, they will be treated to a visual treat.

Rescued grizzly bears will be testing out new ‘bear resistant’ products. It’s a business partnership between the Discovery Center and the IGBC. That’s the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee comprised of several state and federal agencies. Manufacturers create new products to be used in bear country, and the grizzly bears try to tear into them to get the food inside.

“The food is the reward,” says Randy Gravatt, facility manager. ” We give them sixty minutes. If they can’t get to the food, the product passes. If they do get inside, it’s a ‘fail.’

Videos are taken during the test, with one copy sent to the IGBC, and the other to the product manufacturer.

On display at the Discovery Center are a lot of examples of ‘failed’ products. From huge garbage dumpsters to small personal trash cans, if the bear can split it even an inch and a half, it can get a paw inside to reach the garbage. Manufacturers have been sending their products to the center for 13 years.

“The first year, only 10 percent of the products proved to be bear resistant,” says Gravatt. Last year, 60 percent of the products passed. ” It just shows the manufacturers are paying attention and providing better outdoor products,” adds Gravatt.

The main purpose of the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center is to teach people to keep food away from bears. Once bears have tasted people food, they like it, and they keep coming back. Eventually, they become a dangerous nuisance and have to be put down.

“One visitor here the other day said he was going to buy a steak and try to tempt a bear to his cabin so he could take a picture,” says Gravatt. ” After touring our center, he learned that’s a death sentence for the bear.”

The center teaches guests how to create bear resistant hen houses, gardens, bee hives, and homes. Much of it involves hot wire fences solar powered. A trip to the center is eye opening and educational. It’s well worth the trip for anyone that recreates in bear country.