Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/714189
29 www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS nSeptember 2016n deck condo and the snow leopard sis- ters were hidden, tucked deep in their den away from the heat. In the corner where the raccoons had been diligently attempting to dig their way to freedom last year (can you say Shawshank?), they are now thwarted by a pile of sticks and large rocks along the exte- rior perimeter. The Bald Eagles' cage is a favorite stop and one of the majes- tic birds was disturbed and screaming at something. Turned out to be a tiny mountain sparrow sitting on a branch, on the eagle's blind side, too close for comfort! A staff member brought out the newbies: two young, orphaned San Bernardino fl ying squirrels—a rarity in captivity—to be studied by a San Diego biologist and become ambassa- dors for the zoo. They're capable of gliding up to three hundred feet, but unlike birds that can control their fl ight, these little squirrels have to calculate precisely their position, wind, and landing objective. Not many humans can do that. I for one can trip over my own shadow… On my way out I passed a family whose young daughter was wearing a foxtail pinned to her belt. You know how I feel about tails remaining on their original owners. It might have been synthetic, and I cer- tainly hope so. My stop in the souvenir shop made up for its being closed last year. When I gasped at what I spent I was reminded that 50 percent of pro- ceeds go to the zoo, so that made it less painful. After quick stops at the check- points at Get The Burger and BJ's Sandwich Shop I was surprised to see just how popular this lake is in the summer—cars were wedged into every conceivable spot along the north shore all the way along tree-lined Highway 38 through Fawnskin to the next stop at the Moose Lodge which had more activity this year (following the morning Doo Dah Parade) with a live band and several vendors. The return to Highway 18 had even more cars tucked between the protruding boul- ders, most of which were larger than the cars themselves. The Big Bear Mountain Brewery check point was open this time, and a couple with a fl ight of BBMB beers were unaware there was a zoo at the lake so they were most atten- tive as I showed them the program with the grizzlies' story and the importance of the zoo. Last stops were Chad's Place and return to the Bartlett Event Center. The pick-your-prize raffl e items were eagerly snatched up and the silent auction high bidders claimed their booty. Promptly at three o'clock the announcements were made of the winners: $422 in the 50/50 raffl e to Lee Timmons; high hand A-9 for Steve Copley; low hand by a draw to Andrea Dixon; Chapter Challenge to Women In The Wind/Sin Sity Sisters (who will receive an engraved plaque); and the fabulous bear portrait to local Tammy Jones. There was just enough time to skim past the twenty-one vendors and listen to one more tune from the band. Heading home to the fl atlands I was still thinking about the fi res and the importance of these zoos. BBAZ serves as a rehabilitation facil- ity offering injured, orphaned and imprinted wild animals a place to heal and be released or live out their lives in a safe haven. The new zoo will be a tremendous step forward both for the facility and their animals who will fi nd new homes in environments, not just cages. Visit their website at bigbearalpinezoo.org or friendsofthe bigbearalpinezoo.org for information on the animals, their individual stories, and to donate. The Zoo raised approximately $15,000 with increased rider participation. 4 Chapter Challenge winners Women In The Wind-Sin Sity Sisters Blind in his left eye, this eagle scolded the much tinier bird (lower right) for being too close A cougar indulges in a very serious catnap Mother Tutu strolls the compound after a refreshing dip in the pond Big Bear's local band again provided visitors with great rock 'n roll