One of the major draws for tourists in the state of Alaska is the wildlife contained within its borders. People come from near and far to try and get a glimpse of a moose or a black bear. Adventurous folks take a trip to northern Alaska in an attempt to get a rare sight of a polar bear in the wild. For those that aren’t as adventurous, there is a way to see all these animals and more. Simply take a flight into Anchorage International Airport and take a taxi to 4731 O’Malley Road. This is the address for the Alaska Zoo.
QUICK FACTS
The Alaska Zoo is located on the eastern side of the largest city in Alaska and covers approximately 25 acres. This relatively small zoo is the permanent home to about 100 birds and mammals. The 40 distinct species mostly hail from the state known as the Last Frontier. A majority of the animals at the zoo are actually recovered from the wild after being orphaned or injured to the point where they can’t be re-released into the wild.
The Alaska Zoo is dedicated to the education of its 200,000 annual visitors on the life of Alaska’s animals as well as the conservation and restoration of natural habitats. The staff at the Alaska Zoo are extremely knowledgeable about the animals within it and are some of the most dedicated zoo personnel in the country.
The Alaska Zoo was incorporated on 28 March 28 1968, as the Alaska Children’s Zoo. Its mission was to educate the youth of Anchorage on the life of the city’s Asian elephant resident, Annabelle, who had been living there since 1966. Annabelle made it to Anchorage after a local man won a contest which promised him the baby elephant or $3,000 dollars. He chose Annabelle, who has become the lead exhibit since the zoo opened in 1969.
THE ARRIVAL OF MAGGIE
The zoo was renamed to the Alaska Zoo in 1980 and three years later the elephant Maggie arrived as a companion for the famous Annabelle. The two awed zoo visitors together for 14 years until Annabelle died and Maggie was left alone. As soon as Annabelle’s grave was covered, the call to move Maggie out of Alaska began. The fight to remove Maggie from the Alaska Zoo lasted for almost ten years until she was finally moved to a sanctuary in California.
BINKY THE POLAR BEAR
Binky, a polar bear rescued from Alaska’s arctic region, marred the zoo’s reputation when in 1994, he attacked a tourist. An Australian woman ventured too close to Binky’s enclosure despite signs warning against it. The event was caught on tape, which showed Binky reaching through the cage and clenching down on the woman’s leg.
Binky ripped her shoe off and was seen walking around with it for some time. Since this incident, the polar bear enclosure at the Alaska Zoo has been made “human-proof” and there have been no attacks. The lesson here is that it was the tourist’s fault for getting too close and not Binky’s. Despite this, the reputation of the Alaska Zoo has been scarred to the point where some people avoid going to it.
STOP THINKING ABOUT BINKY THE BEAR
Logically looking past the mistake of one Australian tourist should allow you to realize the Alaska Zoo is no more dangerous than any other zoo in the country. If you are able to do that, then you will be in for a great experience. For the price of $15 per adult and $7 for children, the Alaska Zoo is a great way to experience the wildlife of Alaska in a safe environment. The safety precautions in place at the Alaska Zoo are the best money can buy and provide a far safer way to experience the wildlife of Alaska then walking through the woods and trying to stumble upon it yourself.
SHORT LIST OF ANIMALS AT THE ZOO
Some of the animals you can see at the zoo which call Alaska home are: the arctic fox, porcupine, wolverine, dall sheep, reindeer, river otter, and the bald eagle. One of the most viewed animals at the Alaska Zoo is the moose. Considered to be the deer of Alaska, moose can generally be seen wandering along the streets of Anchorage’s suburbs and in community parks on a daily basis. The zoo offers a viewing experience in a controlled environment, an added plus if you have small children.
Of course you must make a point to head on by the bear exhibits. These include a great selection of black, brown, and polar bears, which are securely placed within “human-proof” enclosures that provide excellent views into these creatures’ lives. The zoo also features a few “exotic” species to include a Bactrian camel, Amur tiger, and a snow leopard which doesn’t actually live in the wilds of Alaska.
Even though the Alaska Zoo has had some issues with elephants and polar bears in the distant past, it is by far the safest and most entertaining way to experience the wildlife of Alaska. The next time you find yourself in Anchorage, make sure to stop on by the Alaska Zoo and you will not be disappointed.
