The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) is an organization dedicated to the preservation and rehabilitation of Alaskan wildlife. I spent a few hours watching the animals, and I loved the experience!
It is located on the Kenai Peninsula, more specifically in Girdwood, about 80 km from Anchorage.
The center functions as a sanctuary for orphaned, injured or sick animals, i.e. those that are unable to survive on their own in the wild.
Thus, the AWCC guarantees continuous support and care for these animals, striving to maintain a safe and natural environment for their well-being.
One of the center’s success stories was the reintroduction of the plains bison to its natural habitat and it’s examples like this that encourage me to spread the word about these places.
So here’s my account of my experience at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in the hope that after reading it, you’ll feel motivated to include it in your Alaskan itinerary.
What can you expect from the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center?
In terms of infrastructure, I think the center is well organized.
So, right at the entrance, you can stop by the visitor center to get a comprehensive idea of the place.
You can also pick up information and a map to find your way around.
The center then has trails that direct visitors to the different habitats where the animals are found.
It’s very easy to follow the trails, as they are well signposted.
In addition, there are elevated observation areas, so you can get a closer look at the animals while remaining safe.
Personally, I really enjoyed walking along a walkway above the area where the bears were!
Another place I really liked was the Turnagain Arm Scenic Boardwalk, at the confluence of two glacial rivers, the Portage River and the Placer River, and from where you can see Portage Creek.
It’s also an excellent place to see beluga whales, or white whales, although I didn’t see them as it wasn’t the right time of year.
At the end of your visit, if you wish, you can buy a souvenir to take home, as the center has a small store, the Be Wild Gift Shop.
You can find books, clothes and local handicrafts, for example.
In other words, with everything I’ve said, you can easily see that you could have stayed in the park for a whole day!
Everything you need to know about the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
How long does it take to visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center?
The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is organized in such a way that it is possible to follow a linear route, i.e. there is only one possible way to see the animals.
So, to explore the park you have two options: go on foot and walk or go by car, stopping at the places that interest you.
I did the whole route on foot and it took me about an hour and a half, but if you go by car, I believe you can see the animals in less time.
Rules and precautions for visitors
When you visit the center, it’s important to keep a few rules and precautions in mind, not only to enjoy a peaceful stroll, but also to ensure the safety of everyone, including the animals.
First of all, never touch or feed the animals. This is because although they may seem friendly, in reality they are wild animals.
So keep the recommended distance and, very importantly, make sure that children stay away from the fences.
Also, take care to respect the environment. In other words, never pick flowers or plants, as they are part of the natural charm of the reserve.
Garbage is also extremely dangerous for animals, so dispose of it in the appropriate places.
If you’re traveling with pets, keep them inside your vehicle so they don’t disturb the resident animals.
Finally, remember that despite being in an open-air space, the center is smoke-free and vaping-free. This means that smoking is not allowed.
Is the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center ethical?
The AWCC is committed to sustainability and environmentally friendly practices.
Most of the animals were rescued because they were orphaned or injured, and would otherwise be in a critical situation.
In addition, the center also recognizes the indigenous practices and knowledge of the land.
So I believe that yes, it is ethical.
What animals are there at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center?
The animals are, in fact, the great attraction of this protected area, but before we see which ones you can see up close, I’d like to point out that these animals live here for different reasons.
Some of these animals arrived at the center when they were young or babies, having been orphaned.
However, others were injured and once they had recovered, it wasn’t possible to reintroduce them to their natural habitat.
- Bald eagles;
- Elk;
- Wood Bison;
- Musk ox;
- Coyotes;
- Great-Horned Owl,
- Lynx;
- Wolves;
- Porcupines;
- Foxes;
- Reindeer;
- Grizzle bears;
- Black bears;
- Deer.
Is the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center free?
No, to visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center you need to buy a ticket.
*I visited the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center on a Fam Trip organized by Visit Anchorage as part of the TBEX Summit America. Special thanks to the fantastic Rosemary Makkar from Salmon Berry for her support and for accompanying the group.
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