2026 Release Season Has Arrived!

Northern Lights Wildlife is a re-wilding facility whose goal is to provide young, injured, and or orphaned wildlife a safe and healthy environment in which to thrive and prosper. Your support means the world to us and the incredible wildlife under our care.

RELEASE HISTORY

Wildlife Returned to the Wild

Explore more than three decades of recorded black bear and grizzly releases.

BLACK BEARS 793 released
GRIZZLIES 35 released
TOTAL RECORDED 828 releases
RELEASE TIMELINE

Select a period

Each period shows recorded releases during those years.

SELECTED PERIOD

2026

Recorded releases during the 2026 season.

2026
BLACK BEARS 26
GRIZZLIES 0
TOTAL RELEASES 26
RECORDED TOTAL TO DATE 828
GROWTH OVER TIME Cumulative recorded releases
828
1991–95 1996–00 2001–05 2006–10 2011–15 2016–20 2021–25 2026
1991 2026
REWILDING

Each release represents wildlife prepared to return to life in the wild.

Help make future releases possible. Support wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and rewilding.
Donate
Learn more about NLWS

Northern Lights Wildlife Society needs you!


Important - We cannot currently triage water fowl and song birds.

Northern Lights Wildlife Society was founded by Angelika and Peter Langen in 1990and provides a safe haven for injured and orphaned wildlife in BC. Specializing in Bear and Moose rewilding, the shelter also accepts all other BC mammalian wildlife and assists with getting injured/juvenile birds of prey (only) to other shelters. Furthermore the shelter is an active participant in public education of co-existence and scientific research. With our dedicated support group of staff, volunteers and donors NLWS continues to expand and offer better chances for wildlife in need.

Who Are We?

Northern Lights Wildlife is a re-wilding facility whose goal is provide young injured and/or orphaned wildlife with a safe and healthy environment.

Donate Today!

Your support means the world to us and the wildlife under our care. Every dollar counts in our efforts to help wildlife find a second chance.

Volunteering

Volunteers have made us what we are today and continue to play a vital role in our organization.

Icon of an apple.

Bear the Responsibility

We all need to carry the responsibility to coexist with wildlife, together we can assist them to thrive in an ever changing environment.

What is Re-wilding?

Wildlife shelters aid thousands of mammals and birds affected by human presence, helping them recover and return to the wild, mitigating our impact on wild neighbours.

Join Our Newsletter

Be on the “know” about what’s happening and how you can help or are helping wildlife in need.

Your Donations Save Lives!

Your donation saves Lives  Donating to Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter saves wildlife by providing crucial resources for their care, such as food, shelter, and medical treatment. The shelter rescues and re-wilds injured or orphaned wildlife, giving them a second chance at life. Your donation can directly contribute to the well-being and survival of these vulnerable species.

The NLWS Blog & News Source

Get The Latest News!

Follow along as we tell the stories, adventures, and developments here at the Northern Lights Wildlife Society.

GRASSY PLAINS RESCUE!!!

A young black bear cub rescued near Grassy Plains arrived at Northern Lights Wildlife Society severely underweight and critically weak. After her condition rapidly declined, the team began intensive supportive care, giving her every possible chance to recover.
Angelika Langen
September 6, 2026

Fernie, Grizzly Rescue

A young grizzly cub from Fernie is on her way to Northern Lights Wildlife Society after her mother was euthanized following a human-wildlife conflict. The cub will soon join Maggi at the Shelter, where both will receive specialized care and the opportunity to grow, socialize and prepare for future rewilding.
Angelika Langen
September 5, 2026

Kispiox Bear Cub Rescue Story

On August 27, Northern Lights Wildlife Society received a call about a sow that had been shot in the Kispiox area as a result of human-wildlife conflict. Two young cubs were reported to still be at the site. - NLWS Canada
Angelika Langen
August 30, 2026

🔥BC Wild Fire UPDATE🔥

We're reaching out on behalf of two people we deeply admire and consider dear friends: Eva and Jonathan, founders of the Interior Wildlife Rehabilitation Society in Summerland, BC.
The NLWS Team w/ IWRS
August 14, 2026

Day Long Effort!

Angelika Langen, co-founder and executive director of the Northern Lights Wildlife Society, said she was notified by the province on July 13 about a confirmed orphaned grizzly cub near Pink Mountain, about two hours north of Fort St. John.
Celestia Nlemvo
July 28, 2026

Orphaned grizzly bear cub rescued via Michael Popove

A young grizzly bear cub left on its own for weeks near Pink Mountain in Northeast B.C. is now safe after a successful rescue operation by a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Smithers.
Michael Popove
July 27, 2026
We would love to hear from you!

Contact Us

Please feel free to reach out and contact us with any question or concerns. NLWS would love to hear from you!

Image of the Landry family.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Signing up for the NLWS newsletter provides updates on wildlife, conservation efforts, and sanctuary news, fostering a deeper connection to wildlife and conservation issues.