During the early morning hours of October 9, a fire broke out at Nederland’s Caribou Village Shopping Center causing major destruction of the facility. Among the 20 businesses that call the shopping center home – including Very Nice Brewing Company and Mountain Man Outdoor Store – is the Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center, which houses numerous animals.
According to Wild Bear Nature Center, their space was lost to the blaze, resulting in the deaths of ‘animal ambassadors,’ too. While the number of animals that were killed was not released, one animal was mentioned – a turtle named Westie that’s been with Wild Bear Nature Center for 15 years.
“She was part of our family (like all of our creatures), but her personality made so many people laugh and reach back into their own memories of turtles who crossed their paths,” reads a social media post from the organization about Westie. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved ambassador animals, cherished by many in our community and visitors from around the world.”…