Maggie Bear rips open her birthday present during a previous year's party. (Courtesy photo)Carlsbad, NM - New Mexico State Parks invites you to celebrate Maggie’s 14th Birthday Party on Saturday, January 19, 2019. Maggie, the Park’s black bear, has become a local celebrity because she paints with her feet.

Maggie was orphaned at the age of one month and was raised by a wildlife rehabilitator in Missouri until she found a home at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park when she was five months old. General Curator Holly Payne started Maggie on her artistic career shortly afterward as a behavioral enrichment activity.

• Guess Maggie’s weight for a chance to win a painting by our famous bear.
• Watch Maggie unwrap her edible birthday gifts at 12:30 p.m.
• Face Painting, activities, and crafts from 1 to 3 p.m.
• At 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., a docent will read “Maggie’s First Birthday,” a children’s story written and illustrated by former Docent Coordinator Susan Young.
• Maggie paintings and t-shirts are available for sale.

All visitor center activities are free, but regular admission fees apply to enter the zoo to see Maggie: children 6 and under free, 7-12 years $3; 13 and older $5.  For more information call the park at (575) 887-5516.