ALASKA
TRAVEL INFORMATION
Alaska offers the ultimate in wildlife viewing. From the mighty brown
bears, to colorful puffins and curious sea otters, Alaska teems with
life.
Moose can be seen throughout the Southcentral region, and are common
in Denali National Park, and northeast of Fairbanks. They also frequent
the roadsides of Nome.
Caribou out number Alaskans. The largest herds spend summers north
of the Brooks Range. Denali Park and the Dalton Highway are also
good viewing areas. In late fall and winter, caribou can be seen
along the Taylor, Richardson, and Glenn highways. The best places
to see Dall sheep include Chugach State Park, the Seward Highway,
the Copper River Highway, and Denali Park.
Mountain goats live on the steep hillsides of the Inside Passage
near Mendenhall Glacier and Glacier Bay and on the mountains around
Prince William Sound and Seward.
Wild bison may be seen year round near Delta Junction. Musk oxen
can be found in northern and western Alaska.
Alaska may be the world's best place to observe bears. Admiralty
Island National Monument in the Inside Passage is home to more brown
bears than the rest of the other 49 states combined. Denali and
Katmai national parks also provide prime viewing opportunities for
brown bears.
Wildlife
on the Wing
Over 355 bird species live in Alaska. In the Inside Passage and
Southcentral, bald eagles follow the salmon runs. In December, eagles
congregate in Pasagshak and Kodiak. Up to 3,500 bald eagles feed
on late runs of salmon in the Chilkat River near Haines.
Throughout winter, eiders, old squaw, scoters, and other ducks may
be seen around Chiniak Bay on Kodiak Island.
Up to 20 million shore birds and waterfowl pass through the Copper
River Delta near Cordova in the spring and fall. Creamer's Field
in Fairbanks, and Potter's Marsh in Anchorage, are also good viewing
locations. Between May and August, the Nome area hosts a variety
of Asiatic birds and shore birds.
For puffins and other sea birds, visit Prince William Sound, St.
Lazaria Island near Sitka, Kenai Fjords National Park near Seward,
the Barren Islands near Homer, the Pribilof Islands, Unalaska in
the Aleutian Islands and many other coastal areas.
Oceans
of Opportunity
Migrating gray whales pass near Kodiak in March, and can be seen
near Chiniak and Narrow Cape in late November. Glacier Bay in the
Inside Passage, and Prince William Sound, are ideal places to see
humpback whales between June and September.
From late May through October, white beluga. whales follow fish
into the mouth of the Kenai River. Belugas also appear in Cook Inlet
near Anchorage.
In Nome, walrus and other marine mammals can be seen during May.
In spring and summer, seals and sea lions hunt small fish in the
Inside Passage, while killer whales (orcas) stalk the seals and
sea lions. The Pribilof Islands in Southwest are famous for colonies
of fur seals.
When
To Watch
Alaska boasts abundant wildlife, and sightings are common, but in
order to see the animals you must be patient. Animals follow their
own schedules and may not always be where you want them to be. To
see a specific animal, learn about its habitat.
For most birds and big mammals, the best times for viewing are usually
early morning and evening. High tides are good for seeing beluga
whales and shore birds.
To have information about wildlife viewing sent to you, write:
Alaska Division of Tourism, Dept.
AT, PO. Box 110801
Juneau, AK 99811-0801
Phone: (907) 465-2010
fax: (907) 465-2257
Or visit their web-site at:
http://www.travelalaska.com
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