7 anymore; they will come up to the wall to get their regular diet. They love the attention and will compete for who gets to be the one getting training because they enjoy it so much.” The wall is for more than just fun. Grizzly bears are susceptible to ailments such as kidney disease, liver disease and arthritis as they age. The expanded mesh wall gives animal care staff the space necessary to train the bears and teach them to present body parts for routine inspections and blood draws. “This is very good for their overall health, and the fact that they can choose whether or not to participate is great for their well-being,” Yates says. THE GIFT OF GIVING The wall was made possible by 274 individual donors — and a $10,000 matching gift from Zoo patrons Patricia and Jerry Wagner. The Wagners, of Bloomfield Township, are selfproclaimed animal lovers and long-time Zoo supporters. Patricia Wagner says that it seemed like a natural fit when the Zoo reached out asking for their support on the Giving Zoo Day project. “I just love the bears, and the project sounded so great for them,” Wagner, a former Zoo volunteer, says. “Anything I can do for the animals, I’m just thrilled about.” The Wagners’ matching donation inspired many other Zoo supporters to donate, says Andrea Richards, annual fund and stewardship manager for the DZS. “Matches motivate and inspire people to give because their donation goes farther, and ultimately, that’s what we all want — to truly make a difference,” she says. “We can’t thank the Wagners enough for their generous donation and for supporting the well-being of Mike, Thor and Boo.” Leading up to the 2022 Giving Zoo Day campaign, the DZS’s fundraising team was initially unsure if the bear wall project would resonate with supporters. After all, it lives behind the scenes, and guests will never get to see the bears use it. However, after some deliberation, the team decided to believe in the community, knowing that Zoo supporters love the bear brothers and want to see them thrive. It was a gamble that paid off, with the campaign being one of the most successful in Giving Zoo Day history. “It shows just how much people care,” Richards says. “We are so grateful.” For Yates, the support the bears received from the community was overwhelming. “There’s no describing the feeling of knowing how much people supported Mike, Thor and Boo,” she says. “This wall is something I never thought would happen for them. It was such a surprise, and I can’t thank everyone who donated enough. You truly made a difference in the lives of these bears.” All involved are pleased with how well the Giving Zoo Day campaign turned out and hope its success will inspire more to give, knowing that even the smallest donation can make an impact. “Every little bit makes a difference,” Wagner says. “Even if it is $5. If everyone gave $5, imagine what that would look like, how big of a difference that would make.” With the bear wall now installed and the bears comfortable with it, Yates can’t wait to continue working with her bear “family” and using it to encourage natural bear behaviors. “I’m always striving to improve their welfare,” she says. “Our work is never done — but this wall was a big step for us. Thank you to everyone who cared and made this happen.”
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