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Welcome to my Website!

Hi! My name is Jody Benolken I'm located in rural Pengilly MN.

My Profession Is

-NON-PROFIT-

Wildlife Rehabilitation for the State Of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Permit NO. 14637.

To the right are pictures of Black Bears I have taken, when I had the great oppurtunity to do my Internship the summer of 2006 staying 4 months at the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary in Orr, Minnesota. I have learned the many ways of the Black Bear and I wish I could go on and on to give the public a better understanding of the Black Bear and not to fear these beautiful animals but to respect them. Just remember the next time you walk into the forest you are entering their home and the home of the whole wildlife kingdom. These Black Bears may look tame to you but they are wild animals. Please do not ever assume that they would make a great pet. They do not! As with all wildlife they are Wild And Unpredictable and are meant to stay wild so if you see any wildlife please leave them alone and view at a distance..If you come across seemingly abandoned wildlife babies leave them alone do not disturb,touch or pick up as there mothers leave their young alone many hours a day. If you have concerns about Wildlife you find you can call

- DARK STAR WILDLIFE NURSERY -

218-247-0299 .

YOU CAN NOT LEGALLY POSSESS ANY WILDLIFE WITHOUT A PERMIT.

Below is a Picture of DARK STAR. He is a Black Bear. In which I became quite fond of during my Internship at the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary as you can see I named my wildlife nursery after him..

DARK STAR WILDLIFE NURSERY.

Black Bears

The only thing Black Bears have on their mind is food.Normally if you see a Black Bear in the wild they will usually run by the time you get a glimpse of them. If a Black Bear stands on its hind legs do not be alarmed this is not an act of aggression.The bear is only trying to get a better smell of you. Black Bears do have good eyesight but they trust their sense of smell better.

If a Black Bear is clacking its teeth together and or pawing at the ground this means you are too close back away slowly do not run, talk softly and do not ever look a Black Bear in the Eyes.

If the bear is following you and not clacking its teeth or pawing at the ground, make sure you do not have any food on you.If you do have food or any type of drink drop it and walk away, and talk softly, DO NOT RUN FROM THE BLACK BEAR. Try to walk to the right or left side as some times the Black Bear is only trying to get past you. If the Black Bear still follows you try to get on a rock or stump to appear bigger than the Black Bear wave your hands in the air and make loud noises, yell and clap your hands at the Black Bear but never run from the Black Bear and never look the Black Bear in the eyes. Sometimes Black Bears can not smell you because of wind direction and want to get a closer look at you to see what you are.

If you have problems with Black Bears coming in your yard... Remember Black Bears love food so if you have any food source in your yard get rid of it....Garbage,Dog Food, Bird Feeders. The Bear will stick around only if he has access to food once the food source is gone the bear will leave.Please Do Not Feed Black Bears....Its Not Cute Or Fun.. Just Remember This... A Fed Black Bear Is A Dead Black Bear... Once you feed them they loose there fear of humans and become a problem and are usually destroyed because of this.If you come across cubs leave them alone the mother is close by and very protective of her baby's.