GRAY – After a successful 2003 the Maine Wildlife Park will be closing its gates for the season on Tuesday, Nov. 11. This will be the last chance for the public to view their favorite wildlife, see the coyotes in their new spacious exhibit, the deer in their 3-acre habitat, the big bull moose with an enormous rack, and the lynx kittens, who are growing by leaps and bounds.

Most of the wildlife stays out for the winter with the exception of the raptors, which are moved into large, protected and unheated indoor aviaries for the coldest months. Wildlife exhibits are sheltered from the wind and snow with layers of pine boughs. The bears den food is gradually tapered off, simulating what actually happens in the wild.

The park made great progress this summer on completion of exhibits and displays, and winter work includes a lot of building and maintenance; along with planning activities and new exhibits and building projects for 2004. The park will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily through Tuesday, Nov. 11. For more information, call 657-4977 or check the Web at www.mainewildlifepark.com.