Darly in transport	Darly gets acquainted	Darly's new home!

"Phase II" habitats nearly complete, but more construction planned

We are thrilled that of the more than 85 animals we relocated to our new site in late 2006, just one remains in temporary housing!  Jai, the Bengal tiger sister of Cita, remained in her comfort zone Sunday while Cita, and their neighbors Montrose and Darly, were all moved into a new, spacious habitat in the woods.  Jai was the last scheduled to move, but after becoming a little too spooked, we're giving her time to relax and will try again later this week.  Cita, Darly & Montrose, however, were all romping, playing, running, sniffing, and loving their new homes as staff observed Sunday afternoon.  Each pair has their own indoor and outdoor space and share one enclosed den building.

This new "permanent" large cat habitat is not the last one that we'll ever need to build, but it did mark a milestone in our Relocation Project.  Since moving the sanctuary three yeas ago we have adopted more animals that sitll need additional construction to provide them permanent spaces.  Kovu, the African lion ailing and removed from an indoor stall at another Indiana facility in 2007, and Wrigley, the little black bear rescued for the second time from private owners in 2009, are next on our list needing larger, permanent habitats.  They remain in our temporary housing facility.  In addition, Gus, an alligator rescued in 2008 when he outgrew a pet store, awaits an outdoor "seasonal" space, as do the sulcata tortoises.  A project to enlarge the pasture area for the grazing animals is also planned for the enhanced health and comfort of the resident camel, donkeys, mini-horse, deer, llamas, pig, goats, and large birds.  We invite area businesses to contact us if interested in the opportunity to put your business's name on any of these permanent habitats.  These one-time "naming" opportunities will put the sponsoring company's name in front of thousands of people for the lifetime of the habitat!  This offer is open to individuals and families, too!

For more information please call our office at (260) 636-7383.  General donations in support of any specific habitat project can also be made any time by mailing to Black Pine at P.O. Box 02, Albion, IN 46701, or securely online by clicking the "donate now" button at the top of this e-mail bulletin. 

Now booking field trips! 

Attention teachers!  It's time to schedule your spring field trip to Black Pine!  Don't wait much longer, the most sought-after dates will go fast.  Black Pine offers a wonderful alternative to visiting a traditional zoo.  An educational guided tour of Black Pine will bring the children up close to observe how camouflage, claws, tails, and other physical adaptations help animals survive in the wild.  Going beyond the usual "bio-facts", Black Pine's tour also teaches children about all the important considerations one should give to a variety of species before bringing them into a home to be kept as pets.  Our tour guides talk about where the animals living at the sanctuary have come from, sharing personal stories that will help illustrate what kinds of animals make suitable pets, and which species are too dangerous, too large, cost too much to keep, or are simply too dangerous to be suitable in someone's home.  We will touch on safety around animals and inspire young people to care about the wild world around them.  Field trips are available most weekdays beginning in late April.  A confirmed reservation is required and discounted admission rates apply.  To begin the reservation process go to http://www.blackpineanimalpark.com/programs.  Submit a field trip inqjuiry online, or call (260) 636-7383 to reserve by phone.  Hurry!  Our schedule fills up quickly!

cash

grocery gift cards
fuel gift cards

ice melt 

grass hay (round or square bales, no alfalfa)

straw (square bales)

Fresh produce

Absorbine Flex Plus powdered joint supplement (Tractor Supply Co.)

used cell phones for recycling
frozen beef, venison, poultry

shady mix grass seed

asphalt / gravel

telephone poles
pneumatic nail gun
farm-style broad/flat-end shovels

shrub rakes (about 10" wide)

floor squeegees - with absorbent rubber blades