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Our Wind River Bear Institute mission, with the effective training and use of Karelian Bear Dogs, is to reduce human-caused bear mortality and conflicts worldwide to ensure the continued survival of all species of bears for future generations.

Our work is founded on a simple but groundbreaking approach: We teach both bears and humans correct behaviors to reduce conflicts.

WRBI has been successful in working to save black and grizzly bears since 1996. Through our Partners-In-Life ® and Wind River Karelian Bear Dogs ® Programs, we provide Bear Shepherding, ® the only alternative currently available to save problem bears from relocation and almost certain eventual destruction.

Bear Shepherding involves teaching bears to recognize and avoid humans and our boundaries while educating people on bear conflict prevention. Since Wind River’s beginning in 1996, our efforts have met with stunning success! We hope that our work will serve as a template for work with other species.

WRBI offers on-site consultation and courses for bear managers, private groups and individuals in Bear Shepherding, conflict prevention and Karelian Bear Dogs (KBD) training and handling. We also maintain breeding and training facilities for KBDs to teach responsible, safe and effective handling of KBDs.

Wind River Bear Institute is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. We rely on the generous support of private wildlife organizations, corporations, and individuals who believe in the value of our work. We are glad that you stopped in to visit to our site and we hope you will join us in our efforts to save wild bears, and contact us if you need more information.

Specially trained Karelian Bear Dogs are used in combination with aversive conditioning tools and structured learning situations to teach bears to recognize and avoid human territory. Carrie Hunt's Bear Shepherding techniques are an innovative combination of animal-to-animal communication using Bear Dogs and human-to-bear communication. Using her knowledge of bear behavior, Hunt structures learning experiences that a bear can absorb and retain.

Karelian Bear Dogs are a key element to the success of these techniques. Long used as hardy hunting dogs in northern Europe the KBD is intelligent, fearless and full of boundless energy. Taking on the role of conservationist, the highly adaptable KBD is a perfect partner in the work being conducted by the Wind River Bear Institute.

CONTACT US AT (406)273-4899

Donations Gratefully Accepted:

WRBI

5353 E Carlton Creek Road, Florence, MT 59833