Wildlife center holds open house Annual event draws hundreds to Amity refuge for look at animals

AMITY – Julia Holmes, a tour guide at the A.E. Howell Wildlife Conservation Center, was met with squeals of delight Sunday when she opened the door to the bear’s den.

Some children with her were enraptured when they saw the “cute” black bear cubs. They got as close to their cages as safely possible.

“You know how little kids want to pick up baby bears when they come into their back yards?” Holmes asked the children’s’ parents, nodding toward the cubs. “Well, watch this.”

Pulling on a protective glove, Holmes gently laid her hand on the cage. Within seconds, one bear issued a deep, guttural growl and swatted a tiny paw at Holmes’ hand.

“You see, we’ve got to remember that even though these animals are cute,” Holmes told the children, “they are also wild.”

The close-up glance at the interaction between human and beast drew hundreds of people to the annual open house at the facility during the weekend. Led through 64 acres by volunteers, visitors got to see a host of raptors and mammals, including a black bear that was brought to the facility two days ago.

“We’ve had a great turnout,” said volunteer Justine Holmes, 14. “We received more than $500 in donations on Saturday, even though the open house is free. It’s been nice.”

The refuge was bustling with activity Sunday, with children and adults peeking through cages to eye hawks, cougars, deer and coyote.

Arthur Howell, founder and caretaker, stopped intermittently to chat with children and to cater to one of the center’s most impressive residents, Morris the moose.

“Come on, turn your head so that people can see you,” Howell prodded the 1,400-pound animal, who had his gangly front legs planted solidly in a water barrel. The moose has been released from the facility four times in the past few years but refuses to leave for good.

“I guess he just knows he’ll be taken care of here,” Justine Holmes said.

The 23-year-old facility has thrived under the hard work of Howell and his wife, Dot. The couple has supplemented grants and donations with some of their own money to keep the refuge and rehabilitation center operating.

With no financial support from the state or federal governments, the operation uses the contributions to help pay for the animals’ food, shelter and veterinary care.

The Howells’ son, Eric, seemed flabbergasted when asked on Sunday to estimate the annual cost of running the enterprise.

“I would say that $45,000 a year is just a rough estimate,” he said. “The cost keeps going up each year because we keep getting more animals.”

Eric Howell, who makes his own line of rustic furniture, plans to raffle off some of his wares at the upcoming Potato Feast Days in Houlton on Aug. 21. The proceeds will go towards the refuge.

“It’s a great facility here, and the children just love it,” he said on Sunday. “We all do what we can to support it.”