Thursday 12 April 2012

Smokey Bear Historical Park, Capitan, New Mexico

In 1950 a badly burned bear cub was found clinging to a blackened tree during a forest fire in the Capitan Mountains of Lincoln National Forest.

The cub went on to become Smokey Bear, becoming synonymous with wildfire prevention and wild life conservation and known the world over.

Smokey lived in Washington DC retiring in 1975 when he was 25, in bear years about 70, he became the first bear to become a fully fledged member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.

Smokey died when he was 26 and was returned to Capitan, he is buried in the grounds of the historical park, his grave marked with a boulder brought from the forest where he was found.

Signs on the roadsides show that Smokey is still helping protect the forests from wildfires.

Smokey Bear Historical Park is small but interesting and well worth a visit.

Have fun, we are!

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