Bears, Blog, Wellness & Spirtuality | November 25, 2009
Teton Totem, the grizzly bear, is recovering from a back injury and a bad bout of arthritis. How he got injured and how he is healing is a long and interesting story for another time. Suffice it to say that we investigate all possible modes of healing when our animals get sick or are injured, from standard veterinary care to alternative methods. I think that you can hold certain opinions and let that dictate what you look at, or you can keep an open mind. As it is, I hardly think I have the answer to much, if anything, nor do most of us. But if it doesn’t hurt the animals, why not explore and try things that may seem far out? Wild animals heal differently than we do in any case (another interesting discussion for another time).
So after trying what regular medicine had to offer and it didn’t work, I looked further, to nutrition, chiropractic and energy healing. But I had a very immediate practical concern. What would Teton like us to do to help him comfortably pass a long, cold winter hibernation with his arthritis? I personally cannot talk telepathically with animals. But I could ask Penelope Smith, founder of the animal communication movement. Her answer was clear and immediate: “He’d like lots of hay/straw that’s soft and warm so he can bury himself in the middle of it like a burrito.”*
We gave him his hay early, before the other bears. He pulled it into his den with great satisfaction and precision and we have not seen him since.
*(Please note that Penelope receives images that she translates into human language. Teton has never seen a burrito but for Penelope, the feeling she received crossed species boundaries was clear and was put into human context.)
If any of you, our readers, are interested in following up the “stories for another time” above, or the implications in this story, please let me know and I will make it the subject of my next blog.
Blog | November 20, 2009
It has been 9 years since we started Earthfire, and over time it has come into its own. We are at a place in our thinking where we are ready and excited to take what we have to offer out to the world.
To this end we have developed an exciting, interactive new website, over a year in the making. It will serve as a platform for our new business model as a wildlife sanctuary and retreat center for people who are influential in the fields of communications, education, business, conservation, wellness, spirituality and art to experience Earthfire… and take that experience out into their own fields.
As Earthfire is unable to accommodate a large number of visitors, the site will play a major role in making what we offer available to a wider audience. With the help of a grant, we contracted with Free Range Studios, who have worked with organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund and The Nature Conservancy. We selected Free Range because of their known expertise in storytelling, the most vivid way we can share the animals and their teachings with a larger audience. We look forward to hearing your comments and having you participate in any way that you can!
The times have never been more ready for what our animals can teach.
Warmly, Susan
Buffalo, Wellness & Spirtuality | November 20, 2009
Blue Bell, the Buffalo Girl, teaches Jill Runnion a powerful lesson in animal personalities.
Blog, Earthfire Stories, Wellness & Spirtuality | November 20, 2009
Porter Broughton who was paralyzed from a car accident came to Earthfire Institute to learn from our wolves the power of self healing.
Blog | November 18, 2009
The phone call was urgent — there was a grizzly bear in her garage right this minute … she didn’t want it hurt — what should she do? This was the bear Fish and Game had been trying to trap for several weeks in response to neighborhood complaints. Jean jumped in his truck to stabilize the situation while I called Fish and Game. Even though grizzlies are federally protected there had been threats against the bear’s life and it was only a matter of time before it was shot. It had been hanging around several subdivisions eating birdseed, suet, grease off barbecues and dog food kept in garages.
She was easily trapped, transported to Cody and released. But there are troubling questions. She was only a yearling. Why was she alone? Where was her mother, who would ordinarily be showing her how and where to feed, where and when to den. Why wasn’t she already denned up? There was no den dug for her to help motivate her to hibernate. There is little food for a bear this time of the year, and they loose precious calories looking for it and keeping themselves warm. She was relocated to a strange area where she would have no knowledge of food sources when she comes out of hibernation, famished, in spring. Is possible starvation better than being shot? If she is unfamiliar with the area, mightn’t she go back to people as a source of desperately needed nutrition? And then what? Take two … she had already been caught as a cub in August and tagged, at Grassy Lake near Ashton, Idaho. Her mother wasn’t around then either. Now she was here, having traveled about 80 miles in 3 months, with no specific goal. Why wouldn’t she come back here, now that there is a goal — familiar territory, a sense of home? Relocated grizzlies travel far to get back home. If so, what will be her fate?
“The bear wasn’t menacing at all or threatening in any way,” said Leslie Mead, owner of the bear garage. “I heard this noise behind me – almost a purr or chirp.” (This sound is called “puttering,” and is the sound a baby bear makes when it is nursing on its mother, when it is scared and trying to comfort itself, or lonely and trying to give itself comfort similar to a child sucking its thumb. If not walking, that is what they do as they make that sound – suck on their paw. It is the sure sign of a young and lonely bear.) “I turned, we saw each other, I turned and walked slowly into the house and she went towards the garbage, purring all the way. She gave no trouble. There were no signs of aggression. I shooed her away but she was back in 20 minutes. Once she was in the cage she was very quiet. My husband had his face six inches from hers and there were no sign of aggression — none. She was a delightful bear. I had the sense that she was lonely and in a curious way felt refuge or some sense of companionship with people.”
Earthfire got the call because people know of our absolute commitment to the welfare of wildlife, and the knowledge base that comes from living intimately with them. This, and many other stories like it, have given great urgency to our second goal: the building of a wildlife rehabilitation center for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem so there is a temporary place for bears like her, if it is too late in the season to release them. Bears could be trained to stay away from people using effective techniques developed by wildlife trainers over the years and transferable to the wild. We have access to 30 years experience and close observation of native wildlife from The Wild Bunch Ranch, committed to helping us with rehabilitation.
Earthfire Stories, Wellness & Spirtuality | November 18, 2009
David Shlim, Tibetan Buddhist Teacher, Talks about Wild Animal Compassion.
Earthfire Stories | November 18, 2009
Kelzang – Lhaden, teacher at the Teton Science School in Jackson, WY, shares her powerful experience when introduced to one of Earthfire Institutes grizzly bears in a nonthreatening environment.
Earthfire Stories | November 16, 2009
In 2002, I met Susan for the first time. She had a wild animal sanctuary, Earthfire, named after a very special female wolf. Susan was doing a fundraiser in the ballroom where I worked. It was a beautiful affair with very special guests: Mr. Pinkerton, Miss Clover and Renard the Fox. They all attended and I got to see these magnificent creatures up-close and personal. I walked around this event and was captured by the artwork, the animals and the silent auction. There was an opportunity to have your picture taken with one of the Earthfire Institute animals! I couldn’t get my pen to paper fast enough! I was thrilled to have won! I could hardly wait! Since I was new to Wyoming…I was going to make this my Christmas card!
I visited Earthfire Institute and was in awe at the magnificence of the property and the beautiful animals that were saved there. I met Teton Totem, Humble Bumble, Huckleberry Bear Bear and then Susan put me in the “raw” version of the Wildlife Garden. …and brought in some wolves to romp around me and capture my attention and my heart! Earthfire led the pack as the loped and played.
Always one for drama…I called Susan in early December for my photo opportunity…and asked her: “Can I have my picture taken with Teton Totem, the grizzly bear?”
Susan: Well…he’s sleeping right now ( hibernation…duh!)…but we could wake him up if you really want to…”
Being an intelligent 45 year old…I think I’ll pass… “Who else could I have?”
Susan: “How about a very special lady named Earthfire?”
I thought that was wonderful! A real live grey wolf! Susan is a fabulous photographer and she put us in front of the Tetons on a bale of hay. My husband came along…afraid of dogs his whole life…kinda hid behind Susan and encouraged me to enjoy myself.
Jean and Susan set us up (as if Earthfire needed any cue!). As I tentatively sat next to her, she leaned over and gave me a big kiss…my eyes are tearing now as I write this.
I burst out in laughter…she kissed me again and then she howled…and then I howled…and then I hugged her and she kept kissing me…I could barely keep the tears of joy from my eyes! She was just a big PUPPY! Soft and sweet, loving and kind…and that day, she taught me about her kind…….. and her kindness.
My Christmas card was a proud picture of us both;
2002: A Howling Success!
An old friend, Chief Wayne Mosay, St. Croix Chippewa Tribal Chief and Medicine Man, told me to share my stories. The animals are messengers and their presence are gifts from Mother Earth.
I visited Earthfire many times and share the stories with friends. I am in amazement how Susan and Jean always keep the institute going and how the Wildlife Garden has grown and flourished. I wish for anyone, the opportunity I had for a special day with this very special Earthfire. I will cherish her always…..her presence in my life and how she gave me one of the most wonderful Christmas presents ever.
Kathi Michel
Earthfire Stories, Retreats and Workshops, Seen Thru New Eyes | November 13, 2009
Earthfire Institute Collaborates with Wyoming Global Leadership Exchange
On September 18th the Earthfire Institute hosted a group of international delegates from non-governmental organizations (NGOs). For the second year in a row Jackson-based Wyoming Global Leadership Exchange (WGLE) called upon Earthfire to share their experience and insight with international leaders of NGOs looking to use Teton Valley non-profits as models for their own organizations.
The Bangladeshi group was composed of four NGO executive directors, a program director, and two translators. The delegation arrived at Earthfire Institute to witness examples of “how non-profits work to protect our natural resources,” said Nicole Prater, Executive Director of WGLE. Though visitors to non-profits are often allowed to view office environments and see power-point presentations, a visit to Earthfire is to go beyond simply meeting in a boardroom. To come to Earthfire, is not to hear how and what is being done, but instead to experience it for yourself. This, according to Prater made it “a highlight of the group’s trip.”
Rather than hosting a large numbers of visitors, Earthfire’s goal is to work with small groups of influential people, who in turn influence others to act on behalf of wildlife and the environment. After a short introduction, Dr. Eirich, founder and executive director of the Earthfire invited the group from Bangladesh to meet a few of the animal ambassadors.
The opportunity to enter a two-acre enclosed Wildlife Garden and meet wild animals was both exciting and a little bit unsettling. Several members of the group chose to enter, while some at first opted to watch from outside the enclosed garden.
Major Bear, one of the black bears at Earthfire, was the first to meet the group. Under the careful supervision of animal trainer Jean Simpson, each guest had the opportunity to greet and spend time with him. As members of the group witnessed Major Bear up close, the nervous tension associated with an unfamiliarity of wild creatures began to dissipate. Soft chatter filled the air, people began taking pictures and some of the guests that were initially afraid to enter the garden, decided to step through the gate.
Next, three wolves entered the Wildlife Garden and Dr. Eirich shared the story of wolves in the American West. As Apricot, Moonlight and Moonlit, splashed in a creek, swam in a pool and chased each other around the garden, the group learned about the critical role wolves play in Yellowstone ecology and the success of wolf reintroduction into the national park.
Earthfire’s vision is to create a bridge that connects humans with the natural world through the voices of rescued native wildlife under its care, bringing us the joy of interspecies understanding and giving us the will to protect wildlife for future generations.
“I was astonished to see people so conscious of disabled animals when so many people in this world don’t even know about the plight of disabled people.”
The effect of Earthfire’s vision hit home with the foreign group. Kaniz Fatema, Executive Director of Annanah Sangstha – an organization dedicated toward improving the lives of the underprivileged – turned to Dr. Eirich nearly in tears and said she would like to establish a place like Earthfire Institute in Bangladesh and would “share this thought of creating a similar facility with your professional counterparts in my country of Bangladesh.”
This opportunity was organized by the Wyoming Global Leadership Exchange, Jackson, Wyoming and sponsored by the International Visitor Leadership Program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Earthfire Experience with Bob Tondro
Penelope Smith Retreat Comments
