North American Bear Center, Dorothy Molter Museum and International Wolf Center are back open, albeit with some changes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Three of Ely’s biggest tourist attractions are open to the public after temporarily closing because of the pandemic. The Dorothy Molter Museum, the International Wolf Center and the North American Bear Center have all opened their doors.
Each organization has needed to make adjustments to its daily schedule, of course. Each facility has instituted new cleaning protocols, some also require masks and advance ticket purchases.
After all the changes, though, the experience within each facility is just as memorable as always.
Scott Edgett, the Senior Director of Operations at the bear center, said the response from the public has been incredibly positive so far.
“There have been a lot of changes behind the scenes, but we’re hearing from our visitors that the experience here isn’t diminished at all,” he said. “I’m so proud of the staff here that’s managed to adapt to this new normal.”
At the International Wolf Center and the Dorothy Molter Museum, a new online ticketing system will help ensure there aren’t too many visitors at any one time. The system also makes it possible for visitors to be guaranteed entry after they purchase those advance tickets.
“Moving to the online ticketing system is going to be the biggest adjustment for our visitors,” said Dorothy Molter Museum Executive Director Jess Edberg. “Since we have to limit our capacity to comply with the governor’s orders, this system should help visitors rest easy knowing that they will be able to get in as long as they purchase those advance tickets.”
While each organization was closed, staff members worked hard to get ready for reopening. Sinks were changed to touchless models, as were soap dispensers and hand dryers/towel dispensers. Hand sanitizing stations were tracked down and purchased, which wasn’t easy considering many other organizations were looking for the very same thing. With all of those new safety features in place, doors are reopening.
“We’re so relieved that we’ve been able to come up with solutions that keep our visitors and our staff as safe as possible,” said International Wolf Center Interpretive Center Manager Krista Harrington. “I know that everyone at the Dorothy Molter Museum and the bear center have been hard at work on the same thing.”
All three facilities plan frequent cleaning and sanitizing throughout each day, and each implemented its own Covid-19 preparedness operations plan based on state requirements.
Here’s more information on how each facility plans to operate for the time being:
Dorothy Molter Museum
Advance tickets, available online or by phone, are required for admission to the Dorothy Molter Museum, which celebrates the life of Dorothy Molter. Molter operated the Isle of Pines Resort from 1948 until 1986 and made tens of thousands of bottles of root beer for Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness paddlers.
She lived at the resort year-round. The museum honors her legacy with several of the cabins from her property on site, as well as countless photographs and many of her belongings.
One-hour time slots are available from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m., seven days a week. There is a limit of 10 visitors on-site at any one time.
Masks are required. Disposable masks are available in the gift shop for $1.
Hand sanitizer is available on site.
Changes may be made to this schedule, so visitors should watch the museum’s website for the latest information.
More information about the Dorothy Molter Museum can be found at rootbeerlady.com or by calling (218) 365-4451.
International Wolf Center
Advance tickets are required for admission to the International Wolf Center, too. They are for sale online at wolf.org or by phone.
The Center features a live pack of ambassador wolves, exhibits and lecture-style programs in an auditorium setting.
The Center is open for members only from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. seven days a week. From 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. is general admission. The Center closes between 3:30 and 4 p.m. for a cleaning, then limited group admission is available from 4 to 5 p.m.
Masks are required. Disposable masks are available in the gift shop for $1 and hand sanitizer stations are available.
Changes may be made to this schedule in the coming weeks and months, so visitors should watch the Center’s website for the latest information.
More information about the International Wolf Center can be found at wolf.org or by calling 218-365-4695.
North American Bear Center
The North American Bear Center is open daily from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The bear center will operate at 25 percent of its visitor capacity, or 65 people.
Staff will wear masks and cleaning and sanitizing public spaces throughout the day. Hand sanitizer is available. Visitors are encouraged to practice proper social distancing, too.
Changes may be made to this schedule in the coming weeks and months, so visitors should watch the center’s website for the latest information.
More information on the North American Bear Center can be found at bear.org or 218-365-7879.
Colorado Proposition 114 Endorsement: Yes on gray wolves reintroduction
From The Denver Post:
Coloradans are being asked to weigh a critical question this fall — would western Colorado be better off with a wolf population than it is without this apex predator roaming public and private lands.
Opponents of a ballot measure asking Coloradans for the needed legislative permission to reintroduce the gray wolf into the Centennial State argue wildlife officials, scientists, and biologists should be making this decision, not the voters.
Click here for the full story.
Colorado Wolf Reintroduction
Ambassador wolf receives MRI procedure at Ely hospital
Prognosis isn’t yet clear for Boltz, an 8-year-old gray wolf
Contact:
Chad Richardson, Communications Director
International Wolf Center
Office: 763-233-7132
[email protected]
Additional photos available on request
For the first time in the history of the International Wolf Center and the first time at the hospital, an ambassador wolf from the Center was given an MRI. The procedure was done to help identify some lingering health issues that are negatively impacting Boltz, an 8-year-old gray wolf.
“We’re so thankful that the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital worked with us on this really unusual request,” said the Center’s wolf curator, Lori Schmidt. “It is not uncommon for us to have x-rays taken at the Ely Veterinary Clinic, but an MRI is not available there. This contribution to helping diagnose Boltz was critical.”
The MRI came about thanks to an initial phone call from Dr. Woerheide from the Ely Veterinary Clinic, followed by hours of logistical details on how to keep a wolf safely sedated for the duration of the procedure.
“She made the call to the hospital and was able to coax them into seeing what a benefit this could be for all the parties involved,” said Krista Harrington, the Interpretive Center Manager. “The closest animal MRI is in the Twin Cities, so we could not have done it without her and the Ely hospital.”
The hospital said it is proud of its contribution.
“While certainly an unusual request for a different kind of patient, we were excited, challenged and blessed by the opportunity to help with Boltz’ diagnosis and eventual care plan,” said EBCH’s Diagnostic Imaging Team Leader, Victor Aime. “I had two planning meetings with Dr. Woerheide to consider the challenges of an MRI on a sedated wolf. The meetings paid off with a flawless experience. It couldn’t have gone better! Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital is proud to have been a participant in this collaborative effort with the International Wolf Center and Ely Veterinary Clinic for the benefit of Boltz.”
Dr. Woerheide figured she had nothing to lose in asking the hospital.
“It didn’t hurt to ask,” Woerheide said. “We thought they were probably going to say, ‘No, we don’t want a wolf in our very expensive machine,’ but Victor was open to helping out. I met with him in person and we talked it all through. We just made a plan and made it happen.”
Staff at the International Wolf Center were able to get Boltz sedated during the day and then transported him to the hospital in a crate. Woerheide was in the back of the truck monitoring Boltz on the short drive to the hospital. When they all arrived, he was loaded onto a lift and taken into the MRI trailer.
Everything inside took about 90 minutes. During the MRI, hospital staff carefully studied what was showing up on their monitors. It’s safe to say that these results looked much different than what they normally see.
“The staff was comparing the anatomy of wolves to people and asking a lot of questions,” Harrington said. “They were asking things like ‘How many lumbar vertebrae do wolves have? What were the presenting symptoms?’
“They explained a lot of what we were seeing on the scans as they happened — where the spinal cord was, the various parts of the brain, the sagittal crest, the jaw and other skull and spine features.”
Once hospital staff were finished with the MRI, the images were burned onto a disc. Those images were emailed to the University of Minnesota Neurology Department, which conferred with Dr. Woerheide on the results. Nothing conclusive has been found yet, so additional tests are being done to get a diagnosis for Boltz.
“Wolf care staff are closely monitoring Boltz with the aid of onsite surveillance equipment and daily review of video to assess his response to treatment, Schmidt said. “We are hopeful we’ll have a conclusive diagnosis and prognosis soon.”
The International Wolf Center advances the survival of wolf populations by teaching about wolves, their relationship to wildlands and the human role in their future. For more information about the International Wolf Center, visit wolf.org.
Important data security notification
The International Wolf Center, like numerous other nonprofits, recently became aware of a data security incident that may have involved some of our donor and membership information.
What happened?
We were recently notified by our database service provider, Blackbaud Inc., of a global security incident impacting many nonprofits. At this time, we understand they discovered and stopped a ransomware attack. After discovering the attack, Blackbaud’s Cyber Security team—together with independent forensics experts and law enforcement— successfully prevented the cybercriminal from blocking their system access and fully encrypting files; and ultimately expelled them from the system.
What kind of information was involved?
A very limited amount of information may have been involved.
This information did include:
Names
Addresses
This information may include:
Giving history including memberships and donations
This information did not include:
Credit card information
Bank account information
Social security numbers
Based on the nature of the incident, its internal research and a law enforcement investigation, Blackbaud has said they have no reason to believe the information was or will be misused. A full description of the incident is available on the Blackbaud website. The International Wolf Center does not collect and store any social security or bank account information.
What we’re doing
Protecting your information is something we take very seriously. Since learning of this incident, we have been working with Blackbaud to understand the scope of the ransomware attack and the steps it is taking to prevent future data security incidents. We have evaluated Blackbaud’s security protocols and feel confident it has taken the appropriate action to further protect the information entrusted to it.
What You Can Do
Again, no credit card, bank account, or other sensitive information of that nature was compromised, to our knowledge. However, as a best practice, we recommend you remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activity or suspected identity theft to us and to the proper law enforcement authorities such as the Federal Trade Commission, and the Office of the Minnesota State Attorney General.
For More Information
We sincerely apologize for this incident and regret any inconvenience it may cause you. Should you have any further questions or concerns regarding this matter and/or the protections available to you, please do not hesitate to contact: Hilary Smith, Development Director, by email or 763-233-7135.
Wolves and water
Colorado Springs Editorial: Don’t hand wildlife management to the wolves
From the Colorado Springs Gazette:
It’s a familiar political face-off. On one side are environmental and animal-rights groups attempting to micromanage wildlife policies with a well-intended, ill-informed proposal at the ballot box.
On the other side are the people who know the land and its biodiversity — among them, ranchers and others in agriculture; the outdoors economy and its many enthusiasts, and of course the wildlife biologists, game wardens and regulators officially charged with the welfare of the animals that inhabit public lands and waterways.
Click here to read the whole editorial.
Setting it straight
Three of Ely’s biggest attractions have reopened
North American Bear Center, Dorothy Molter Museum and International Wolf Center are back open, albeit with some changes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Three of Ely’s biggest tourist attractions are open to the public after temporarily closing because of the pandemic. The Dorothy Molter Museum, the International Wolf Center and the North American Bear Center have all opened their doors.
Each organization has needed to make adjustments to its daily schedule, of course. Each facility has instituted new cleaning protocols, some also require masks and advance ticket purchases.
After all the changes, though, the experience within each facility is just as memorable as always.
Scott Edgett, the Senior Director of Operations at the bear center, said the response from the public has been incredibly positive so far.
“There have been a lot of changes behind the scenes, but we’re hearing from our visitors that the experience here isn’t diminished at all,” he said. “I’m so proud of the staff here that’s managed to adapt to this new normal.”
At the International Wolf Center and the Dorothy Molter Museum, a new online ticketing system will help ensure there aren’t too many visitors at any one time. The system also makes it possible for visitors to be guaranteed entry after they purchase those advance tickets.
“Moving to the online ticketing system is going to be the biggest adjustment for our visitors,” said Dorothy Molter Museum Executive Director Jess Edberg. “Since we have to limit our capacity to comply with the governor’s orders, this system should help visitors rest easy knowing that they will be able to get in as long as they purchase those advance tickets.”
While each organization was closed, staff members worked hard to get ready for reopening. Sinks were changed to touchless models, as were soap dispensers and hand dryers/towel dispensers. Hand sanitizing stations were tracked down and purchased, which wasn’t easy considering many other organizations were looking for the very same thing. With all of those new safety features in place, doors are reopening.
“We’re so relieved that we’ve been able to come up with solutions that keep our visitors and our staff as safe as possible,” said International Wolf Center Interpretive Center Manager Krista Harrington. “I know that everyone at the Dorothy Molter Museum and the bear center have been hard at work on the same thing.”
All three facilities plan frequent cleaning and sanitizing throughout each day, and each implemented its own Covid-19 preparedness operations plan based on state requirements.
Here’s more information on how each facility plans to operate for the time being:
Dorothy Molter Museum
Advance tickets, available online or by phone, are required for admission to the Dorothy Molter Museum, which celebrates the life of Dorothy Molter. Molter operated the Isle of Pines Resort from 1948 until 1986 and made tens of thousands of bottles of root beer for Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness paddlers.
She lived at the resort year-round. The museum honors her legacy with several of the cabins from her property on site, as well as countless photographs and many of her belongings.
One-hour time slots are available from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m., seven days a week. There is a limit of 10 visitors on-site at any one time.
Masks are required. Disposable masks are available in the gift shop for $1.
Hand sanitizer is available on site.
Changes may be made to this schedule, so visitors should watch the museum’s website for the latest information.
More information about the Dorothy Molter Museum can be found at rootbeerlady.com or by calling (218) 365-4451.
International Wolf Center
Advance tickets are required for admission to the International Wolf Center, too. They are for sale online at wolf.org or by phone.
The Center features a live pack of ambassador wolves, exhibits and lecture-style programs in an auditorium setting.
The Center is open for members only from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. seven days a week. From 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. is general admission. The Center closes between 3:30 and 4 p.m. for a cleaning, then limited group admission is available from 4 to 5 p.m.
Masks are required. Disposable masks are available in the gift shop for $1 and hand sanitizer stations are available.
Changes may be made to this schedule in the coming weeks and months, so visitors should watch the Center’s website for the latest information.
More information about the International Wolf Center can be found at wolf.org or by calling 218-365-4695.
North American Bear Center
The North American Bear Center is open daily from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The bear center will operate at 25 percent of its visitor capacity, or 65 people.
Staff will wear masks and cleaning and sanitizing public spaces throughout the day. Hand sanitizer is available. Visitors are encouraged to practice proper social distancing, too.
Changes may be made to this schedule in the coming weeks and months, so visitors should watch the center’s website for the latest information.
More information on the North American Bear Center can be found at bear.org or 218-365-7879.
For the first time since March, the International Wolf Center is opening its doors to the public.
The Center will reopen at 8 a.m. Monday, June 22.
By Chad Richardson
Communications Director
International Wolf Center
651-214-4989
[email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For the first time since March, the International Wolf Center is opening its doors to the public. The Center will reopen at 8 a.m. Monday, June 22.
Several changes are planned at the Center to ensure everyone’s safety during the Covid-19 pandemic. The biggest change is that tickets must be purchased in advance to ensure there’s enough space within the facility at any given time. Tickets can be purchased online at wolf.org.
Those without internet access can also purchase tickets by calling the Center at 218-365-4695.
There is a small convenience fee that is added to the ticket price whether purchasing online or over the phone.
Masks are required for all visitors. For those who don’t own a mask, they will be available for a suggested donation of $1 at the door.
“We can’t wait to open our doors back up and start teaching about wolves again,” said Krista Harrington, the Interpretive Center Manager. “Since we closed in March, we’ve all been working incredibly hard to prepare to reopen. Finally, that day is almost here.”
The daily schedule looks like this:
This schedule is subject to change. To stay up to date on all changes, please visit www.wolf.org.
A few special programs are also available including a members-only behind-the-scenes tour available on Friday and Sunday mornings. Information on how to register for this program and others can also be found at wolf.org.
The International Wolf Center advances the survival of wolf populations by teaching about wolves, their relationship to wild lands and the human role in their future.
International Wolf Center announces new partnership with Explore.org
Additional webcams featuring the Center’s pack of wolves are now online
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Two new live webcams featuring the pack of ambassador wolves at the International Wolf Center are now featured on explore.org.
Explore.org is the world’s leading philanthropic live nature cam network and documentary film channel. Their website features hundreds of live streaming cameras focused on nature and animals across the world. The International Wolf Center maintains a pack of ambassador wolves at its interpretive center in Ely, Minnesota.
“Our followers passionately observe our pack through webcams on our website, so we know there’s a great interest in this twenty-four hour access,” said the Center’s Executive Director, Grant Spickelmier. “By adding two cameras to the explore.org network, we expect we’ll be able to educate even more people about the natural behaviors of wolves.”
“[The new wolf camera] is one of a kind,” said Charles Annenberg Weingarten, founder of explore.org. “It can’t be more sacred and I’m so excited to be a part of the wolf pack. Welcome wolves to the explore.org family!”
Explore.org’s cameras are operated by a network of volunteers, so viewers will be able to consistently observe wolves as operators zoom in and/or move the cameras around the wolf enclosure. In addition, representatives from the Center will be online at set times every week to answer questions from viewers on explore.org‘s commenting boards.
“It’s incredibly hard to observe wild wolves,” Spickelmier said. “Cameras like these make it possible for anyone, anywhere, to watch our Ambassador pack and learn about wolf behavior. This effort fits in very well with our education-based mission.”
A microphone is also part of the experience, making it possible for viewers to hear the wolves howl. Mornings and evenings are typically when the wolves are most active.
“We’re appreciative of the work that the explore.org team has done to make this partnership happen,” Spickelmier said. “Without their generosity and their expertise, this wouldn’t have been possible.”
To see the cameras, visit https://explore.org/livecams/international-wolf-center/wolf-cam-2
The International Wolf Center advances the survival of wolf populations by teaching about wolves, their relationship to wild lands and the human role in their future. For more information about the International Wolf Center, visit wolf.org.
Contact for livestream footage/photo requests:
Emily Berlin, Public Relations for explore.org
[email protected]
T:231-571-0470