Our first adventure of the day was at Bear Country U.S.A. near Rapid City. This was a self-driving tour. Car windows were required to be closed at all times since the animals were technically wild and potentially dangerous.
A map of the park (click for a larger image)
Several impressive male elk
Fall is rutting season so we were warned to be extra careful around them since they could be more aggressive than normal.
They were more focused on food than anything else.
Reindeer are the domesticated European form of these animals. The wild ones in North America are called caribou.
Napping Arctic wolves
Bighorn sheep
A wild squirrel ... the most dangerous animal of them all!
More slumbering canines. I suppose we should let sleeping wolves lie.
Unlike the other animals which roamed free within large enclosures, these mountain lions were contained in a big pen with a top on it. They could probably easily escape from any other kind of captivity. They were highly interested in a passing black bear.
Even though they come in a variety of colors, these bears are all called North American black bears (as opposed to brown bears, which are grizzlies).
Bears were littered all about. Bear Country has over 200 Black Bears, the world's largest privately owned collection.
Entertaining facial expressions ...
... and poses
Adult males weigh 200 - 500 pounds. Females range from 100 - 300 pounds.
Competing with the birds
A carrot snack. These bears are omnivorers, eating mostly berries, nuts and fruit, although they will also eat fish and carrion if it's available.
Contemplating life's choices
Laaaaazy day
Road block! Cattle grates and fences kept the bears contained to their area.
Timber wolves
A small group of resting bison (also known as American Buffalo)
A male mule deer .... A pronghorn (these are what we saw roaming wild on our drive up from Colorado)
