June 17, 2021

Dear Supporters,

We need YOUR HELP to build a new structure needed to help rescue animals we have not been previously able to rehabilitate on site…BLACK BEARS! We are calling this facility the Apex Predator Enclosure, or APE.

Black Bear populations are returning and growing in our Sonoma County! However, the wonderful area that we share with bears has changed dramatically in the nearly two centuries since bear populations were decimated. The increase in wildfires is especially threatening to our bear population. Even if a bear was able to survive a wildfire, the resultant scarcity of food and the painful burns on its paws as it traverses the burnt landscape that used to be its territory makes survival questionable. This is especially true for cubs and young bears. Indeed, bear cubs commonly require rehabilitation due to disease, loss of habitat, fire injuries, or being orphaned.

Last year, on March 26, 2020, Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue became one of only a few sites in all of California to receive approval to rehabilitate black bear cubs. We hope you are as excited as we are by the opportunity and honor we have been given by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Since receiving our permit, we have spent considerable effort and time planning for what will be required for bear cub care. Now we need you!

We are fortunate to have the 8.3 acre property that the County of Sonoma allows us to use for rehabilitation of native wildlife. We have already identified a secluded location on our grounds to situate the approximately 20,000 square foot APE facility. In the past, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has also transferred orphaned or injured mountain lions into our care. This APE facility will consist of a building with a medical area and small rehabilitation enclosures with den boxes; a large outside rehabilitation area – all to be enclosed with escape-proof perimeter fencing. This facility will have the capacity to care for mountain lions as well as bear cubs. It is a quiet, forested location with a breath-taking view and is ideal for healing and growing!

There are 3 specific areas of support needed for the Apex Predator Enclosure to become a reality:
1. Financial Donations 

• We need your financial assistance. We have raised close to $12,000 of the estimated $190,000 required to build this unique facility. Such a large project will take time, as we know from comparable endeavors at Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue that have taken 3-4 years from start to finish. 
• Your financial support through donations to this specific project are being requested now. To keep the APE facility moving forward we need your donations to complete each stage of this complicated project. 
• If you have fundraising skills, or any ideas for reaching out to resources outside of our supporters, we would welcome working with you! 

2. Construction Consultation

• Consultation regarding the nature of construction for the den house and main APE building. This area needs to be approximately a 40’ x 30’ area. Construction options must meet the needs and regulations to care for large predators with possible options including a metal barn type building, a prefabricated building, a pole barn, or a permanent in-ground structure.
• There are many construction related aspects for which we need guidance, and we hope one of our supporters could give us a lead on getting this part of the project planned.

3. Natural Outside Enclosure Construction

• The largest components of the bears’ rehabilitation area are outside yards that must be escape proof and enriching. In addition to robust perimeter fencing, these areas will need dens, climbing structures, water features, and visual barrier screens. 
• If you, or any of your contacts, have a business or capacity that can help with site preparation, fence construction, or creation of any of the needed features, our future bears would greatly appreciate the assistance. 

A project as important and significant as creating a bear cub rehabilitation facility is complicated. Of course, we cannot include all details in this first plea for your assistance. We have a team of 12 wildlife professionals who have created our vision for the Apex Predator Enclosure. We are very serious and ambitious about the APE. 

We are eager to meet with anyone who has a way to help. If you need more details about the project plans, legal documents of approval for bear rehabilitation from the state, budget line items, or management plans to oversee these efforts, then just let us know.  Please join us and help build the capacity for Sonoma County Wildlife to provide healing care to bear cubs who will be in need in our local community. 

If you would like to make a donation towards our APEX Predator Enclosure, please use the link below. If you would like to support this project in other ways or if you would like more information, please reach out to Executive Director, Doris Duncan, at scwrdoris@scwildliferescue.org.