Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center Photos (formerly Big Game Alaska)
At the 140-acre Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, jaws drop in awe-even those of longtime Alaskans who've studied grizzlies and other animals up close. AWCC's mission is to provide refuge for orphaned, injured, and ill animals-those that can't survive in the wild. The center, which opened to the public in 1993, also educates visitors about Alaska's wildlife. On your visit, you might see a Siberian boar snoozing, moose foraging, baby moose napping, plus caribou, elk, bison, baby Sitka black-tailed deer, eagles, and other animals. The musk oxen are worth the visit all by themselves.
The Center's Setting
Set on the shores of Turnagain Arm, surrounded by mountains and hanging glaciers, the center is the perfect setting to learn about Alaskan wildlife. The animals are located in different areas grouped around several road loops. Perhaps the best way to view the facility is to first drive around to get your bearings, then park by the gift shop and walk. Each habitat area has a sign explaining the history and habits of the particular animals.
For more information visit
[url=http://www.alaska.org/girdwood/alaska-wildlife-conservation-center.jsp]Alaska Wildlife Consrevation Center[/url]
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AK Wildlife Moose Calf
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AK Wildlife Cons. Center, Viewing Wildlife Safely
An observation deck at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center allows visitors to safely view and photograph moose in their natural setting.
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AK Wildlife Cons. Center, Cooling Moose
Two bull moose at AWCC take a swim in their pond. Aquatic plants provide much higher nutrition than the willow and alder twigs on which moose feed in winter. The velvet on these antlers, which is filled with blood vessels, has almost completely fallen off
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AK Wildlife Cons. Center, Baby Sitka Deer Needs Nourishment
AWCC receives many orphaned Sitka black-tailed deer each summer. Jewelie came when just one day old, after two boaters found her on the beach in Prince William Sound. Her mother was killed by a bear.
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AK Wildlife Cons. Center, Baby Bison Stays Close to Mom
The reddish-brown bison babies are born in spring and summer, weighing about 30 pounds. They can run and play within three hours of birth.
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AK Wildlife Eagle
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AK Wildlife Bear Cub
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AK Wildlife Cons. Center, Caring for Coyote Pups
AWCC staff member Kelly Debrecht holds two coyote pups shortly after their arrival in early June. Their parents built a den too close to the runway at Elmendorf Air force Base, and the pups were in danger of being injured or killed by frequent aircraft ta
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AK Wildlife Bear
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AK Wildlife Cons. Center, Baby Moose Attempts to Stand
Moose calves can stand on wobbly legs within hours of birth. They usually weigh 25 to 30 pounds when born and gain about two pounds a day until weaned.
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AK Wildlife Cons. Center, Velvet Antlers
Moose antlers begin growing in April or May, nourished by a covering of velvety skin rich in blood vessels. Antlers stay soft and blood engorged throughout most of the summer until they calcify and harden. As autumn nears and the rut, or mating season, be
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AK Wildlife Cons. Center, Up Close and Personal
Visitors at AWCC can safely observe and photograph wildlife up close. An Alaskan resident feeds this moose, River, a carrot. River had been washed downstream the Susitna River and was found on the banks by hikers in the area. He was hypothermic, and there
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AK Wildlife Cons. Center, Substitute Parents
Most baby animals spend at least one year with their mothers in the wild. When orphaned at a young age, such as the moose calf seen here, they often have not learned enough survival skills to make it on their own and need a helping hand.
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AK Wildlife Cons. Center, Black Bear Basks in Sun
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center often cares for orphaned black bears. Berry, seen here at eight weeks, was rescued by wildlife troopers after her mother was killed in a bait trap.
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