Wild of Wonder! Wild of Wondra!
New Statue Dedicated
Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary Press Release
Red Lodge Sculptor, Lee Kern, captured the likeness of one of Red Lodge’s most famous and adored residents. The Sanctuary will dedicate this sculpture of Speedy, the American Bison, on June 29, 2024, at Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary. The brief ceremony begins at 10:15 AM, just after the Sanctuary opens for Bison Birthday Bash.
Lee Kern is known to Red Lodge for his interpretive sculptures of area wildlife. His work quickly turns heads as locals and visitors look at the life-size moose in front of the Roosevelt Center. Kern’s work has become iconic to Red Lodge as he collects natural materials from area forest, molds and shapes them into realistic but expressive representatives of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). As a local artist, Lee Kern has worked hard building life-size animals and establishing his studio and gallery on the south end of town.
Speedy, the Sanctuary’s oldest resident, has earned a place in history. So, to celebrate her 23rd birthday, the Sanctuary commissioned Kern to capture her likeness, crooked horn, and all. Kern was the perfect choice for a special memorial at the Sanctuary, which is home to more than thirty non releasable animals from the GYE in need of life-long care. Speedy is an important ambassador for bison, teaching thousands of visitors each year about her species in the GYE, their significant role in the ecosystem, and respect for distance from the fluffy cows!
There is even deeper meaning to Speedy’s placement at the front entrance of YWS. She stands in honor of YWS’ Education Manager’s father who passed away last year. Eden Wondra’s father, Bill Wondra, was a nature enthusiast. He had a sense of wonder toward the natural world that was contagious. Throughout his life, he inspired people to enjoy and care for wildlife and their habitats. Memorial donations came to the Sanctuary from individuals all over the country to honor Bill’s memory. As an artist himself, Bill Wondra admired Lee Kern’s work. Kern’s sculpture is the perfect expression of Bill’s life and deeds.
Looking at the magnificent, bigger than life, sculpture evokes the same “Wild of Wonder” that Bill Wondra showed everyone around him, and that the Sanctuary aims to create for every guest.
Touched by this invitation to inspire others, Lee Kern generously donated his time and skill to complete the piece for Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.
After the dedication of the statue, join YWS’ Bison Birthday Bash (special event admission) and Bison-Pie-Bingo in the bison yard at 11:00. Enjoy birthday cake and games throughout the rest of the day!
About the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary
The Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission of providing lifelong sanctuary to non-releasable greater Yellowstone ecosystem wildlife while sharing a message of conservation and education. The Sanctuary has been providing safe, comfortable homes and long, fulfilling lives to animals whose only other option was euthanasia.
Find out more at www.YellowstoneWildlifeSanctuary.org and schedule a tour.