Yukon Wildlife Preserve

Yesterday we drove Monty’s body down to Whitehorse, our capital city, so he could be cremated. I’m pretty emotionally exhausted, so for now, let’s focus on some other cute animals.

We decided to spend two nights in Whitehorse, rather than driving right back in time for the weekend.

We visited the Yukon Wildlife Preserve today. We visited it when we were first in the Yukon, and wanted to see what it was like in the winter. If anything, it was busier, and we saw more of the animals! It is a really remarkable place, now owned by the territorial government. The animals are all from the Yukon and have huge fields. It doesn’t feel like a zoo, more of a big farm. The animals are a mixture of animals that have been born and bred here, and others that were injured or abandoned.

Here are some of my best pics of the day:

Elk

Two elks

Snowy owl. I couldn’t get a great photo due to the fencing. This owl came to the rehab after being found injured, and despite having healed, she isn’t able to fly, so she is now a permanent resident.

This bald eagle has also healed his broken wing, but he still can’t fly and will be able to live out his years here.

20160115-DSC_0022

Woodland bison

Mule deer

Mule deers playing

It was pretty neat to watch them tussling with their antlers.

This older one barely opened his eyes while the young bucks wrestled ahead of him.

Moose

Adult male moose. Lost only half his antlers so far.

Stone sheep

Mountain goat

Another mountain goat

These horns are sharp. Where the sheep bang their heads and horns, these goat will actually skewer each other in their sides so the adult males are separated during mating season.