Montana Grizzly Encounter was co-founded by renowned wildlife filmmaker and grizzly bear expert Casey Andersonwith a simple but powerful belief: grizzly bears are an irreplaceable part of our natural heritage and deserve both our respect and protection. While the best place for any bear is in the wild, not every grizzly has that opportunity. Some bears are orphaned, habituated to humans, or rescued from inadequate captive situations, making it impossible for them to survive in their natural environment.
Montana Grizzly Encounter was created to provide these rescued bears with a safe, spacious, and humane home while inspiring the public to better understand and appreciate one of North America's most iconic predators.
The organization's mission is twofold: first, to rescue and care for grizzly bears that cannot be returned to the wild, and second, to educate people about grizzly bears in a way that promotes coexistence and long-term conservation. Through close, meaningful experiences with rescued bears living in natural habitats, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for these remarkable animals and the challenges they face in the wild.
Education is at the heart of Montana Grizzly Encounter's work. In addition to teaching visitors about grizzly bear biology, behavior, and conservation, the organization provides practical bear safety education to help reduce human-bear conflicts—protecting both people and bears.