Innisfail Discoveries

Our travels through Alberta shooting episodes for upcoming episodes of Jack Hanna's Into the Wild next took us into Innisfail- in the heart of the province.

Boston Pizza is known for great food, but did you know it was also a great place to meet animal enthusiasts.

“Walking through the doors of BP’s, as it’s commonly known, we discovered Deb Rowland & Doug Bos, owners of the Wilderness Discovery Park in Innisfail AB- about an hour outside of Calgary. “The educational part is outstanding, where else can you get this close and personal with a bear and have the chance to listen and learn about bear safety and education,” said a very enthusiast Jack Hanna about our discovery of the park. “People don’t get it until they see it on TV; they need to see something not in a brochure or a piece of paper. What we need to do is get the Park Service folks up here and construct a video of how to right there,” exclaimed Hanna.

“I feel badly for people when I hear them say they don’t go hiking because they are scared of bears. At a place like this you are able to get educated,” said Suzi Hanna about the daily bear show’s the facility hosts as part of anyone’s day here at the Park.

“You would loose the wonder if you didn’t have creatures like bears and cougars in the wild, they provide an element of excitement. The chance you will see them in very small, but it heightens the experience. You have to make smart choices, like never hiking alone and always making noise,” said Suzi.

This park is home to 13 bears from Grizzly to even black Brown Bears. It’s important to know your bear tips. It comes down to education, and knowing about the animal so you appreciate at it more. "Without there animals in our wildlife, it wouldn’t be wildlife, it would take out some of the wonder," said Suzi. You may recognize the Grizzly in the shot with Jack and Suzi, can be seen in the movie Anchorman with Will Farrow.