Bear Creek Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary Inc.

Updated June 11, 2025

## Bear Creek Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary (Barrie, Ontario): What to Know Before You Go (and How to Support Responsibly)

Quick facts (verified):
– Location: 8633 10th Line RR 2, Barrie, ON L4M 4S4, Canada. Creek Sanctuary
– Status: Not open to the public for tours (announcement dated September 30, 2023). Creek Sanctuary
– Mission: Registered Canadian charity and private foundation rescuing and rehabilitating exotic and indigenous wildlife; safe haven for unwanted, abused, injured, or zoo-surplus animals. Founded in 1989 by Werner Ebner. Creek Sanctuary
– Contact: +1 (705) 721-4730 • [email protected]. Creek Sanctuary
– Donate: Via CanadaHelps (Charity Registration No. 896568417RR0001).

—

### Why Bear Creek matters

Bear Creek Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary is a volunteer-driven, donation-funded facility just west of Barrie. As an authorized wildlife custodian in Ontario, the team rehabilitates injured or orphaned native wildlife and provides lifelong care for exotics that cannot be released—often animals that were surrendered, confiscated, or at risk of euthanasia. The organization’s own description is unambiguous about this dual role: rescue/rehab for indigenous wildlife and permanent sanctuary for exotics. Creek Sanctuary

CanadaHelps, which lists the sanctuary’s official charity profile, notes that 100+ animals have called Bear Creek home, spanning big cats and other species. For transparency, the charity registration number is provided there as well.

—

### Can you visit?

Short answer: No—public tours are discontinued. Bear Creek states clearly that it is no longer open to the public for tours, citing the priority of a quiet, low-stress life for resident animals and the operational demands on staff and volunteers. The announcement is dated September 30, 2023 and remains the governing statement. If your goal was a family visit, factor this in and do not drive out expecting entry. Creek Sanctuary

> Outdated info warning: Some third-party travel listings still describe multi-hour tours or hands-on encounters. That information predates the 2023 closure and should not be relied upon for planning. Always defer to the sanctuary’s site or phone/email contact for current policy.

For wildlife emergencies or questions about rehabilitation, Bear Creek asks that you contact them directly by phone, not by email, which aligns with best practices for timely animal care. Wildlife Rescue

—

### What the sanctuary does day-to-day

– Lifetime care for non-releasable exotics: As a private foundation and registered charity, Bear Creek provides a permanent refuge for animals that cannot be placed elsewhere—particularly big cats and other exotic species. Many residents arrive from difficult circumstances. Creek Sanctuary
– Rescue & rehabilitation of native wildlife: As authorized custodians, they receive injured/orphaned wild animals for short-term medical care, with the goal of release when possible. Creek Sanctuary
– Education & advocacy (non-public): While tours are discontinued, the sanctuary maintains an active presence sharing animal care insights and public wildlife-safety advice (e.g., seasonal hazards like fake spiderweb decorations). This is worth following if you care about local wildlife welfare.

Species snapshot (historic/representative): Charity listings have cited a broad range—from tigers, lions, cougars, wolves to owls, lemurs, parrots, foxes, lynx, and more—underscoring why a quiet environment is prioritized over visitor traffic. (Species lists can change over time with rescues, transfers, and releases.)

—

### How to support (without visiting)

1. Donate securely
Use the sanctuary’s official CanadaHelps page, which includes the registered charity number (896568417RR0001). One-time and monthly options can stabilize feed, veterinary, and enclosure costs.

2. Call before acting in a wildlife emergency
For a found, injured, or orphaned animal, phone +1 (705) 721-4730. Phone contact is emphasized for urgent cases. Wildlife Rescue

3. Follow their channels for needs and advisories
The sanctuary posts updates and practical wildlife tips on Facebook and YouTube, which is useful during seasonal risk periods (e.g., migration, fledgling season, Halloween webbing).

4. Respect “no-tour” policies
Reducing stress is part of welfare. If you see old blogs or booking sites suggesting public access, treat them as historical—policy has changed. Creek Sanctuary

—

### Planning logistics (for donors, not walk-ins)

– Address for official correspondence / deliveries:
Bear Creek Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary
8633 10th Line RR 2
Barrie, ON L4M 4S4, Canada. Creek Sanctuary

– Primary contacts:
Phone: +1 (705) 721-4730 • Email: [email protected]. (For emergencies, phone is preferred.) Creek Sanctuary

– Operating note:
No public hours. If you’re offering supplies, specialized services, or inquiring about wildlife transport, coordinate by phone/email first. Creek Sanctuary

—

### Ethics, accessibility, and accuracy notes

– Animal welfare first: The 2023 decision to end public tours was made to ensure a quiet, low-stress environment for residents—especially large carnivores and sensitive animals. This is consistent with sanctuary best practices prioritizing welfare over revenue from admissions. Creek Sanctuary

– Inclusivity: Bear Creek communicates publicly via multiple channels (phone, email, Facebook, YouTube). If you require accessible formats for information or have mobility/communication needs related to volunteer or donation logistics, reach out directly—charities commonly accommodate where feasible. (Accessibility specifics aren’t detailed on the site; confirm directly.) Creek Sanctuary

– Data hygiene: Several third-party travel pages still advertise guided encounters or ticketing. Treat such pages as outdated unless they explicitly reference the Sept 30, 2023 notice. Always verify via the sanctuary’s site or phone. Creek Sanctuary

—

### Frequently asked questions (grounded answers)

Is Bear Creek a zoo?
No. It’s a private foundation and registered charity that provides sanctuary and rehabilitation; it is not a public zoo and does not offer public tours anymore. Creek Sanctuary

Can I book a private visit or photo session?
No—public access has been discontinued. Contact the sanctuary only for legitimate wildlife assistance, donations, or coordination of approved support. Creek Sanctuary

How do I make sure my donation is legitimate?
Donate through the sanctuary’s official CanadaHelps profile listing the charity registration number 896568417RR0001.

Who founded the sanctuary and when?
Founded in 1989 by Werner Ebner. Creek Sanctuary

—

### Bottom line

Bear Creek Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary is not a visitor attraction—it’s a specialized animal welfare operation focusing on rescue, rehab, and lifelong care. If you want to help, do it the way the team asks: donate, share verified advisories, and call if a native animal needs help. Skip the drive, skip outdated tour listings, and support the mission on the terms that best protect the animals. Creek Sanctuary

Sources: Official sanctuary site and contact page; tour closure notice (Sept 30, 2023); CanadaHelps charity profile; Ontario wildlife custodian directory; select third-party listings flagged for outdated information. Creek Sanctuary

Key Highlights

Bear Creek Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary Inc.

Location

Places to Stay Near Bear Creek Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary Inc."Thank you for everything you do!!"

Find and Book a Tour

Explore More Travel Guides