Is that bear real?
The animals are real. They are not alive – like in a zoo. They have passed on. To make them look alive they are taxidemized by a professional who knows how to do it properly. The smaller animals are stuffed with cotton, styrofoam or wiring to keep their shape. With large animals like Waffles (the grizzly bear), they use wood and plaster. In the museum they keep the fur healthy with chemicals.
Solange Massicotte: Program Co-ordinator, Kelowna Heritage Museums
Solange says, “We think animals in the museum is a great idea because not all of nature you can get up close to. And I think that’s why a lot of natural history museums like the Heritage Museum show animals up close and personal… I could never be close to a mountain lion or a lynx or big bear because it’s dangerous. But it’s neat to see them up close… I think children find it fascinating.”
This is a photo of Justin Beaver, named by the children who have visited the museum.
Waffles was hunted legally when hunting Grizzly bears in British Columbia was allowed. Now, it is not legal to kill a grizzly bear. Waffles is almost 40 years old. If the museums keeps his fur in good shape and people don’t touch him, he should last for a very long time.
When a grizzly comes out of hibernation, its claws are very long. But, as it digs in the earth over the summer and fall, it’s nails get shorter.
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