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History
HISTORY OF
MOONRIDGE ANIMAL PARK
A Story of Survival and Harmony Between People and Nature
Moonridge Animal Park arose from the ashes of forest fires in 1959 that
devastated the natural ecosystem of the San Bernardino Mountains. Several
injured animals were brought to safety for rehabilitation and a second
chance at life in the wild. But for some, returning to the forest was
not an option due to human imprinting or injuries that would
compromise their survival. For those healthy but non-releasable birds and
animals, a 2.5-acre parcel located 7,125 feet above sea level in the
same indigenous, sub-alpine conifer forest became their protective
new home and the site of Moonridge Animal Park.
An orphaned, 30-pound black bear cub, stranded in a tree after the fire,
was among the first, permanent inhabitants at the park.
Other early arrivals to the Southern California facility included
mule deer and bobcats.
In 1960, a 50-year lease on the property enabled Moonridge Animal
Park to grow into a zoological facility. In 1961, the Park became
part of the San Bernardino County Big Bear Valley Recreation and
Park District. Today, Moonridge Animal Park is home to more than
150 birds and animals representing 85 species. Notably, Moonridge
Animal Park is distinguished as the only zoological facility in
the United States located in an alpine/sub-alpine environment, dedicated
to the preservation of primarily alpine and sub-alpine species.
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 majority of animals rehabilitated
at the Park have been successfully released to the wild.
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