Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1940-08-10
Two Red Lodge Schoolboys
Maintain All-Montana Zoo
Bv lack THOMPSON

Two Red Lodge SchOOlboyS mutually
interested in a fascinating hobby-that
is the story behind the See En- Alive
ZOO, a unique collection of wild animals
that attracts much attention from
tourists.
It all began when young L. w
Lyons and D. W. Columbus captured
4 a pair Of wild coyotes and decided to
keep them for pets. So interested did
they become in their new companions
that they went out In search of more.
They captured bright colored birds,
all varieties Of small animals and fish,
and finally began to bring in the
largest and most wild of Montana'S
wildlife And now, from this hobby
which started so innocently has sprung
fully equipped, modern zoo contain
| ing over 200 native wild animals, fish
and birds, including so different
species.
tell you that they are all pets, from
the chipmunk to the buffalo And they
are treated like pets. Every cage is
cool, comfortable and spotleSsly clean;
the food Is fresh and scientifically
kept and prepared; the cages are
roOmy and there is wide pasture for
the larger animals to roam through.
Recently when a tourist complained
to the national humane society that
a representative was sent from Billings
ito investigate the matter. The result
was q gratifying article In the SOciety'S
bulletin praiSing the owners for their
humane consideration Of the animals.
The furry tenants like it so well, in
fact, that though some Of the larger
ones could break through to freedom,
home. When old BoSco, the bear, was
set free last year to make room for
his ever-groWing family, his old haunts
didn't appeal to him, and he returned
to his soft bed and steady ration of
fresh meat.
The zoo has remained as it began
a hobby. AS Columbus puts 1t, I'VE
built the ZOO for our own enjoyment. |
If people want to come and see 1t, |
well that's all right with us. We have |
put small charge on 1t to cover our
expenses"
Last year over $4,000 people visited
the zoo and marveled at its originality
and natural wonders. This year visitors
are expected to number over 10000.
The unique feature of the zoo is the
fact that practically all Of the animals,
fish and birds on exhibition there have
been captured in Montana, the greater
part of them coming from within 20
niles Of Red Lodge. They are IN their
natural environment and, should they
De allowed to go free, would find their
native hills and forests before they
had gone many miles. This and rigid
sanitary measures account for the COM
olete lack of disease and sickness
lmong the animals.
Another remarkable fact Is the lack
# injuries to either visitors or animals
n all the time that the ZOO has been
n existence. Perhaps the nearest ap-
roach to disaster occurred last sum-
ner when a tourist, curious as to what
would happen, flicked his lighted
igaret into the golden name of the
mountain lion. The result was
frightened tourist and an even more
'eWildered and frightened lion.
In addition to the zoo, the two part
ers maintain one of the most modern
nd elaborate silver fox farms in the
ountry. This was begun a number of
ears ago when they pooled their re-
ources and purchased two of the glis-
ening beasts to add to their collection.
'oday this is the only truly CONNER !
ial aspect of the ZOO.
Today See En- Alive has a menagerie
hitch ranges from rattlesnakes to :
uffalo and from blue jays to giant :
olden eagles. Only two of the states
alive animals are lacking, the moose
nd the mountain goat, and If one
an Judge by past endeavor they viii :
)in the colony before the end of the
lmmer.