Bill's Aviation Log

Now we're driving east on the northside of the Turnagain Arm. The view from the car is spectacular.

We arrive at the Wildlife Conservation Center. Parker goes for the high ground.

The parking lot and road were treacherous with ice and slush.

Inside are these Mooses. Moose are plentiful in Alaska as I would come to understand.

In the wild, musk ox huddle together to protect themself against their principle enemy: the wolf. But this made them vulnerable to man so by the 1800's, they had been hunted to extinction in Alaska. In 1930, 34 musk ox from Greenland were reintroduced into Alaska. Now there are about 2,500.

Parker going the wrong way.

Parker's not sure about this polar bear; might be real.

This must be Hugo, the Grizzly Bear.

Two men riding snow machines on Hugo Mountain near Kotzebue, Alaska, found our grizzly bear, Hugo in 2000 abandoned and with hundreds of porcupine quills embedded in her paws.

She was severely dehydrated, malnourished and was unable to walk or eat when she was brought to the AWCC. Although she has made an incredible recovery, she cannot be released back into the wild because she does not have the necessary skills to survive on her own. Hugo was the first bear to be given a permanent home at AWCC. She loves catching fish in the stream, playing with her fellow brown bears, JB and Patron, and playing with hay bales she receives for enrichment.

Grizzly bears are a type of brown bear. They are smaller than coastal brown bears because they do not have as much access to rich fish runs. They also face colder and more brutal winters than the coastal bears. Grizzly bears are found throughout the United States, whereas coastal brown bears are found only in Alaska. Brown bears are omnivores, so they eat deer, moose, fish, as well as leaves and berries.

This poor little guy sad because they won't let him play any reindeer games.

I'm at the end of the scenic boardwalk at "The Point". From here, the view is indeed incredible. It's 360 degrees magnificent. The next series of pictures is me going around counter-clockwise.

Now looking west at the Turnagain Arm.

The AWCC's bison herd.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game made the commitment over 25 years ago to return wood bison to their native range in Central-Alaska in partnership with the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, who currently cares for the only captive herd in the United States. Following the state’s acquisition of wood bison and years of careful management by AWCC, 130 wood bison were successfully released into the wild in spring of 2015.

All four wolves in the same picture! Not sure which is which except for Dirus. The other three are Bri, Lothario and Deshka. Two male and two female.

April 15, 2023 - Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
We set out today to start our exploration of Alaska. We drove southwest from Wasilla along the Knik Arm down to Anchorage, then east along the Turnagain Arm. Our destination was the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Trip Advisor's #1 thing to do in the Anchorage area. This is the view driving to Anchorage. We're definately not in Maryland anymore.

Now we're driving east on the northside of the Turnagain Arm. The view from the car is spectacular.











We arrive at the Wildlife Conservation Center. Parker goes for the high ground.

Map of the AWCC.

Most of the animals that have come to AWCC have either been orphaned or injured. With consent from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, animals taken in by AWCC are cared for by our animal care staff and are given a permanent home at AWCC.

The parking lot and road were treacherous with ice and slush.

We decide to check out the Bunkhouse.

Inside are these Mooses. Moose are plentiful in Alaska as I would come to understand.

This guy is pretty friendly.

A big shaggy Musk Ox hangs out by the hay box.

In the wild, musk ox huddle together to protect themself against their principle enemy: the wolf. But this made them vulnerable to man so by the 1800's, they had been hunted to extinction in Alaska. In 1930, 34 musk ox from Greenland were reintroduced into Alaska. Now there are about 2,500.

Elk (I think) hanging out in the snow. Elk in Alaska are limited to island habitats with temperate, maritime climates.

Parker going the wrong way.

A raven surveils the area, while the snout of a black bear can be seen -- sort of -- in that rock den at lower left. Black bears are the smallest bears in Alaska. Adult males can weigh up to 400 pounds. They are found in heavily forested areas throughout Alaska and are excellent tree climbers. We have two adult and an adolescent black bear at AWCC, that will have forever homes with us.

Having a good day in Alaska on the Bear Boardwalk.

The Wildlife Refuge is surrounded by goregous mountains.

Parker's not sure about this polar bear; might be real.

This must be Hugo, the Grizzly Bear. Two men riding snow machines on Hugo Mountain near Kotzebue, Alaska, found our grizzly bear, Hugo in 2000 abandoned and with hundreds of porcupine quills embedded in her paws. She was severely dehydrated, malnourished and was unable to walk or eat when she was brought to the AWCC. Although she has made an incredible recovery, she cannot be released back into the wild because she does not have the necessary skills to survive on her own. Hugo was the first bear to be given a permanent home at AWCC. She loves catching fish in the stream, playing with her fellow brown bears, JB and Patron, and playing with hay bales she receives for enrichment. Grizzly bears are a type of brown bear. They are smaller than coastal brown bears because they do not have as much access to rich fish runs. They also face colder and more brutal winters than the coastal bears. Grizzly bears are found throughout the United States, whereas coastal brown bears are found only in Alaska. Brown bears are omnivores, so they eat deer, moose, fish, as well as leaves and berries.

Feeding time for the Bull Elk.



Reindeer feeding. Actually, Caribou is the proper term for the wild animal, whereas Reindeer is the term used for the domesticated animal. Reindeer are members of the deer family and are the only member whose females also grow antlers. The females (cows) retain their antlers until their calves are born in the spring, and the males (bulls) drop theirs after the autumn “rut”, or mating season.

This poor little guy sad because they won't let him play any reindeer games.

Parked to check out the Turnagain Arm Scenic Boardwalk.

I'm at the end of the scenic boardwalk at "The Point". From here, the view is indeed incredible. It's 360 degrees magnificent. The next series of pictures is me going around counter-clockwise.







Now looking west at the Turnagain Arm.







360-degree circle complete.

The AWCC's bison herd. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game made the commitment over 25 years ago to return wood bison to their native range in Central-Alaska in partnership with the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, who currently cares for the only captive herd in the United States. Following the state’s acquisition of wood bison and years of careful management by AWCC, 130 wood bison were successfully released into the wild in spring of 2015.

The AWCC has a pack of four wolves. This is Dirus, a male gray wolf.

All four wolves in the same picture! Not sure which is which except for Dirus. The other three are Bri, Lothario and Deshka. Two male and two female.

Wolves are carnivores, and therefore moose, caribou, and deer make up a large part of their diet. As a pup, they can weigh as little as 1 pound, but full-grown wolves can weigh anywhere between 100 and 150 pounds. The wolf in the foreground is probably Lothario.

Now heading back to Anchorage along the north side of the Turnagain Arm. Captain Cook explored and mapped much of the Pacific coast including Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound. He sailed into this very inlet, thinking he had found the long sought-after northwest passage. Finding no way out, they had to "turn again" to return to the open sea.

In 1898, gold was found on this north side, resulting in the Turnagain Arm Gold Rush.


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April 15, 2023 - Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center