In the beautiful town of Portage is the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center; this non-profit organization is a natural area for visitors to see animals native to the Northern State. Opened in 1993, the 700-acre center has outdoor enclosures that are connected by a 1.5-mile loop. With 15 different Alaskan species in the center, there is a diverse representation of northern animals. Throughout the year the AWCC is open and is a hub for research, education, conservation, and caring for animals.

  • What types of animals live at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center?
    • The center is home to a variety of Alaskan wildlife, including black bears, grizzly bears, Alaskan moose, elk, muskoxen, red foxes, Canadian lynxes, bald eagles, porcupines, wood bison, wolves, and great horned owls.
  • Where do the animals at the center come from?
    • Most of the animals at the center are either injured or orphaned. The center is dedicated to treating and caring for animals in need.
  • What is the B.E.A.R.S. exhibit?
    • The Bear Education Awareness Research Sanctuary (B.E.A.R.S.) is a popular exhibit where visitors can see black and brown bears. It also includes an educational center and a research facility to raise awareness about polar, black, and brown bears.
  • What are the names of the black bears in the B.E.A.R.S. exhibit?
    • There are three black bears in the sanctuary: Uli, Kuma, and Kobuk. Uli arrived at the center in 2002 after being found wandering alone in Juneau as a cub.
  • What lynxes live at the conservation center?
    • The center is home to two lynxes, named Chena and Venetie. Both were found in poor conditions and have since been cared for by the center.
  • What makes the wood bison special?
    • The wood bison is the largest land animal in the Western Hemisphere. The center breeds and releases bison into the wild to help protect the species.
  • What wolves live at the center?
    • A pack of wolves named Bri, Deshka, Lothario, and Dirus live at the conservation center. Since wolves are an endangered species with only around 8,000 left in Alaska, two of the wolves at the center serve as ambassadors for their species.
  • Why were some reindeer brought to the center?
    • Due to overpopulation, some reindeer were adopted by the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to prevent starvation in the wild.
  • What educational opportunities are available at the conservation center?
    • The center offers field trips, classes, internship programs, and Live Animal Presentations to educate visitors about Alaska, ecology, and conservation.
  • What happens during field trips at the center?
    • Every year, the center welcomes hundreds of students of all ages for field trips. With the help of guides, students learn about animals such as bears and caribou through up-close animal experiences.
  • What are Live Animal Presentations?
    • The center offers Live Animal Presentations where smaller animals, such as a ferret or porcupine, are brought into classrooms for educational programs.
  • What organizations support educational programs at the center?
    • The center has partnered with Inspired Classroom and Bear Trust International to create science-based educational programs for students.
  • What educational programs are available online?
    • Three online educational programs are available for free: Wood Bison Curriculum, Grizzly Bear Curriculum, and Bison in a Box. These programs help students practice math, science, and technology skills while learning about conservation.
  • What internship opportunities are available at the center?
    • The center offers two internships: the Animal Care Internship and the Naturalist Internship.
  • What do interns do in the Animal Care Internship?
    • Interns in the Animal Care Internship help feed animals and clean open-air exhibits.
  • What is the focus of the Naturalist Internship?
    • The Naturalist Internship focuses on education and conservation. After receiving training from the National Parks Service, interns educate the public about Alaskan wildlife and assist in educational programs.
  • How does the center promote conservation education?
    • The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center promotes conservation through a variety of classes, workshops, internships, and hands-on learning experiences.

Mile 79 I Seward Highway, AK 99587, Phone: 907-783-2025

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