GRAY – Ron Carlson, a professional chain-saw carver from China, Maine, will demonstrate how he cuts bears and other wildlife out of chunks of wood Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Maine Wildlife Park.

Carlson began woodcarving in the mid 1960s and enjoyed this hobby until the early 1990s, when a friend introduced him to the chain saw. The speed and versatility of chain-saw cutting amazed him, and his lifelong hobby became his business in 1993.

Thousands of pieces later, he now specializes in carving bears because, he said, they are fun to make and a challenge to give personality and character to.

Carlson has carved countless animals, abstracts and a variety of custom requests from airplanes to the seven dwarfs to giant gorillas on safari. He has shipped his art to a dozen countries worldwide.

This is the last of a summer series of wildlife exhibits and demonstrations at the park on Route 26. Wildlife Days are held on consecutive weekends through the summer. Presenters set up exhibits and demonstrations featuring a variety of wildlife topics from about 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on most Saturdays.

This season’s final Night Visit will be the popular Halloween night hike, from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 26.

The park has more than 25 species of native wildlife on display, plus wildlife gardens, nature trails and interactive exhibits. It has a nature store and snack shack, with all monies raised earmarked for wildlife exhibit improvements and new construction.

The park is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from mid-April to Nov. 11. Visitors must leave the premises by 6 p.m.

Admission is free for youngsters ages 3 and younger, $4 for ages 5-12, $6 for adults and $4.50 for seniors. Groups of 15 or more pay $3 per person. Family and community season passes are available. Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic.

For more information, call the Maine Wildlife Park at 657-4977; or go online to www.mainewildlifepark.com or www.mefishwildlife.com.