Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Red Lodge, Montana. As of 2026, YWS is home to 34 native Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) wildlife that are unable to be released back into the wild. Some of our residents were orphaned, others suffered severe injuries, and some were kept as pets. At Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary, these animals have found their forever home and now serve as ambassadors for their species.

Our mission is to provide lifelong sanctuary for these animals while educating our community about the GYE and inspiring conservation through their stories.

Each June, we celebrate one of our favorite traditions: Bison Birthday! The event began with Speedy, YWS's first bison resident, and continues today with Luna. This year, Luna turns 12 years old, and we're excited to celebrate this incredible ambassador animal while sharing the story of bison conservation in the GYE.

Bison Birthday is more than just a celebration. It's also an opportunity to support Luna and the educational programs that help visitors learn about bison and their role in the ecosystem. In years past, one of the event's highlights has been Cow (Bison) Pie Bingo, where participants purchase a square for a chance to win if Luna poops on their square first.

This year, we're expanding our fundraising efforts through a special t-shirt campaign. Every shirt purchased helps support Luna's care and educational programming focused on bison education. By wearing your shirt, you're not only celebrating Luna's birthday, you're helping us continue our mission of providing lifelong sanctuary, education, and conservation outreach for years to come.

Visit yellowstonewildlifesanctuary.org to learn more!