Wildlife Museum provides global educational experience

For nearly a decade, Ritzville residents and travelers alike have watched the progression of development surrounding the exterior of the Living Legacy Wildlife Museum. The gates have two lions stoically located to watch the property, while a fence displays stenciled animals, only giving a slight insight to the world that lies within the museum walls.

The Living Legacy Wildlife Museum has been the most anticipated business openings in the area, as residents’ curiosity allows them to only dream about what is inside.

For Othello based surgeon Dr. Don Sebesta, countless years of dedicated work on the facility contributes greatly to his growing excitement to open the facility to the public, as well as display one of his lifelong passions.

At the age of 12, Sebesta shot his first deer while out on a hunt with his grandfather. While this experience is typical for many area youth, Sebesta took his hunting adventures to the global scale.

Sebesta’s life has taken him around the world, seeing places many people only read about in their lifetime. For 26 years, Sebesta served in the Army, including active duty in Vietnam.

Through the course of his lifetime, Sebesta and his wife Sandy have traveled the world, participating in hunts and bringing home countless animals.

The Living Legacy Wildlife Museum displays a large array of the achievements of his worldwide hunts. After 16 trips to Africa, the largest room in the museum is dedicated to the continent and the multitude of animals that reside there.

The taxidermy of the animals is superior to any comparable display in the country, and Sebesta and Sandy take great pride in the upkeep of the animals.

While the animals within the museum walls serve as a trophy room of wildlife for both Sebesta and other hunters who have donated wildlife, the most important aspect of the museum is education and teaching conservation, Sebesta stated.

As the author of four books himself, Sebesta believes education is the most important tool a person can possess. The museum will provide insight into the geographical location of each animal, and have an educational display about the region and the people who live there.

Sebesta said he is dedicated to teaching about conservation for visitors to learn about the purpose behind many of the hunts. All of the animals on display have been obtained and killed legally, and on many of hunts, the meat of the animals were provided to villages and people in need of food.

As a member of Safari Club International, Sebesta said he has been able to travel the world and practice conservation of animals. He stated poaching continues to be a problem, primarily in Africa, and he plans to teach the difference between the two practices and encourage visitors to learn about preservation.

The rooms in the museum are packed with animals from every corner of the world, showing the unique traits of each species of animal or the region they come from. The over 30-foot tall sheep and goat wall serves as one of the most engaging dioramas, capturing the strength of the animals while they are all displayed based on the elevation they are found in.

The displays are already teeming with animals, but Sebesta said his hunting days are far from over. He has hunted every species in Africa, but he still has about 60 animals left worldwide he believes the museum should have.

While he continues to work on improving the collection, which includes donations from other hunters and wildlife enthusiasts, Sebesta is also planning for the future. He stated he plans to spend his 85th birthday on an elephant hunt in Africa, but for now he is focused on opening the nonprofit museum to the public.

Sebesta said between himself, his wife and the individuals involved in working to have the museum operational, they are enthusiastic and excited to finally open the doors to the public. When the initial opening day arrives, visitors will see the museum is still far from completion, but can expect to see wildlife dioramas that are sure to impress.

The purpose of opening before final completion is to help gain revenue to complete the remainder of the museum. During this time, the work will continue on the second floor dioramas, as well as completing a room where a taxidermist will be onsite demonstrating the process of taxidermy on small animals.

Sebesta said the museum will include displays explaining the origin of each individual animal along the walls in the hallway. Additional displays will include photos and explanations about his countless travels throughout the world, providing an informative and unique insight to cultures worldwide.

The museum is set to open within the next two months after the museum receives the appropriate permits and certifications to open to the public. Once the doors are open, Sebesta said he intends to welcome visitors on weekends, where him and his wife will provide tours. Sebesta said it could take up to a year for the museum to be completed and open full time.

The Living Legacy Wildlife Museum is located at 1729 East Weber Road in Ritzville.