More visitors flocking to Yukon Wildlife Preserve - Action News
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More visitors flocking to Yukon Wildlife Preserve

Last year, there were about 25,000 visits to the preserve. This year, the number is closer to 27,000 more than double what it was just five or six years ago.

'We're all so darn proud of it out here,' says executive director Greg Meredith

These two female moose were brought to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve as young calves. The preserve's executive director, Greg Meredith, says because they were bottle-fed, they are very comfortable around humans. (Meagan Deuling/CBC)

The Yukon Wildlife Preserve is marking another successful year, with the number of visitors continuing to climb.

"We're ahead of schedule, ahead of last year. In total visitation numbers and total gate sales," said executive director GregMeredith.

Last year, there were about 25,000 visits tothe preserve. This year, the number is closer to27,000 more than double what it was just five or six years ago, according to Meredith.

'We're ahead of schedule, ahead of last year. In total visitation numbers and total gate sales,' said executive director Greg Meredith. (CBC)

The facility, just outside of Whitehorse, is popular with locals and tourists who want a chance to see some elusive local fauna such as bison, lynx, caribou, or mountain sheep up close.

There are 178 animals at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, according to last month's count. Most popular with visitors are the three moose especially for the British, Meredith said.

"If they see a moose, they go home happy."

According to Meredith,Germans typically want to see bears, but there currently aren't any at the preserve. They're happy with lynx and bison, too, he added.

Female Dall sheep have a pasture at the preserve and a back section of cliffs to climb. All the males and females are kept separate, Meredith says, because the preserve wouldn't be able to handle the number of animals born if they were kept together. (Meagan Deuling)

'It's a great thing that we do'

Canada'sAccredited Zoos and Aquariums conference was hosted by the preserve in September. During the conference $7,500 was raised through public donations.

"So we're lucky, lucky, lucky in that. We know we have the full support of the community, we have the full support of our First Nations colleagues.It's a great thing that we do, we're all so darn proud of it out here," Meredith said.

Looking ahead to 2017, there will be a day camp for kids during March break. It's never been done before, but Meredith expects it to be as popular as the summer camps the preserve already hosts.

As for new animals, the preserve isgetting ready for births in the spring. This year they're hoping for newgoats, sheep, musk ox, bison, and maybe more elk.

This male mountain goat got unusually close to the camera. (Meagan Deuling/CBC)