CRESTVIEW — If Albert was a human, he would be a senior citizen. In his late 20s, Albert — an eastern black bear — moves stiffly and is turning gray around his muzzle and forehead.
He is one of the oldest residents at the Sasquatch Zoo, which is being transformed day by day into the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Zoological Park.
The long-term transition from a privately owned zoo to a nonprofit rehabilitation and education facility will take several years. But the refuge’s staff and the zoo’s owners are working hard to prepare for a legal handoff in February.
“We are working up there diligently,” said Amanda Wilkerson, director of the refuge. “We want to have the least amount of time being closed.”
The zoo currently is licensed by U.S. Department of Agriculture to Debbie Mattox, who started it more than 25 years ago on land running along the Shoal River east of Crestview.
Mattox, who has hand-raised many of the zoo’s animals, isn’t really ready to step away entirely despite the daunting daily workload of caring for 100 animals. However, financial challenges and concern for the zoo’s future forced her and husband Bill Bitsche to evaluate their options.
The Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge provided the ideal opportunity.
“I told her, ‘You can’t just keep running the zoo ’til something happens to your health,’ ” Bitsche said. “You have to have a way to leave it for the community.”
Mattox made sure that provisions for three of the animals, including Albert, were put in the contract with the refuge. The bear, a 7-year-old lion named Levy and an elderly spider monkey named Cebo will live out their lives at the zoo.
With a deal struck, the finer details for the final transition, including necessary renovations, are under way.
For example, to meet USDA licensing requirements, the fencing around the big cats’ cages needs to be increased by nearly 4 feet. Trees around the perimeter of the 12-acre park also must be trimmed back.
“We have a four-page list of stuff that we are going to get done,” Wilkerson said.
The list includes building a classroom, rehabbing structures, expanding and enriching habitats, replacing fencing and landscaping.
Volunteers and donations are needed to make all of that happen, Wilkerson said.
Workdays are being held every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the zoo on U.S. Highway 90 until all the work is complete.
Volunteers of all skill levels are needed, ranging from those just willing to pitch in to experienced electricians, welders, carpenters and other craftsmen.
Additional workdays are being added during the week, Wilkerson said.
On Friday, two refuge volunteers worked in the small building known as the commissary, where food for the animals is prepared and stored.
While they scrubbed and sanded, Albert watched the activity from his cage nearby. The women have gotten to know the old timer and his favorite treats. They call him by name and coo to him as he moans with pleasure.
Even as the world around them changes, the animals do what they have always done.
They watch the people. They eat, sleep and have babies. A new llama was born 10 days ago and several young goats scamper around in their pen.
When the renovations are complete, some of the refuge’s animal ambassadors will be moved to the zoo. Educational programs will be added and docents will wander the 12-acre park, talking to visitors.
“It will be run just like a zoo, but will have a strong emphasis on education,” Wilkerson said. “All of the animals up there have a story, and I think people would be interested in hearing it.”
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Wendy Victora at 850-315-4478 or wvictora@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @WendyVnwfdn