Meet the real-life inspiration for the characters and the story of Chocolate the moose (“chocolate mousse”).

Characters

A black and white photo of Dr. David Hellyer, an older man wearing a cowboy hat and a checkered shirt, standing next to a horse with a light-colored mane, in front of a wooden barn.

Dr. David (“Doc”) Hellyer and his wife Constance Hopkins Hellyer were the the Founders of Northwest Trek Wildlife Park and friends to Chocolate the moose and other wild creatures.

Black and white portrait of Mrs. Constance Hellyer, an older woman with styled gray hair, wearing pearl earrings, a pearl necklace, a collared shirt, and a patterned jacket.

David Tirrell (“Doc”) Hellyer

“ ‘Easy, boy,’ murmurs a man in a hat.

It’s Doc Hellyer, the park’s founder and resident naturalist. ”

Constance (“Connie”) Hopkins Hellyer

“ 'You’re a moose whisperer,’ says Doc’s wife Connie. ”

Two men near a fenced area with a moose inside. One man is wearing a hat and coat, standing close to the camera; the other man is walking away, facing the fence.
A young male moose rubbing his head on the trunk of a jeep in an outdoor setting.
Black and white photo of a man in a cowboy hat and shirt standing next to a large moose in a forest setting.

“The moment the gate opens, the bull bursts out, head butts a truck, and dashes into the trees.”

Photo credits: Tacoma News Tribune

“A curious photographer comes. Click! Click! Click! The photo appears in newspapers all over the country. Chocolate is famous!“