{{short description|Zoo in Portage, Alaska, United States}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}} {{Infobox zoo |zoo_name = Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center |logo = Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center logo.png |logo_width = |logo_caption = Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center logo |image = Wood bison bull at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (52790650051).jpg |image_width = 249px |image_caption = [[Wood bison]] at the conservation center |location = [[Portage, Anchorage|Portage]], [[Alaska]] |date_opened = 1993 |date_closed = |coordinates = |area = About {{convert|200|acre|ha}}<ref name="legfin"/> |num_species = |num_animals = |largest_tank_vol = |total_tank_vol = |annual_visitors = |members = |exhibits = |website ={{Official URL}} }}
The '''Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center''' is a non-profit organization dedicated to conservation, research, education, and animal care. The center is located on about {{convert|200|acre|ha}} at the head of [[Turnagain Arm]] and the entrance to Portage Valley, Milepost 79 of the [[Seward Highway]], about 11 mi southeast of [[Girdwood, Anchorage|Girdwood]]. The center is in the [[Municipality of Anchorage]] on the approximant border of the [[Kenai Peninsula]] and the [[Kenai Mountains]] to the south and the [[Chugach Mountains]] to the north.
It is a [[wildlife sanctuary]] for [[orphaned]] or injured wildlife, as well as home or temporary home to captive born and translocated wildlife such as [[wood bison]]. It is a wildlife sanctuary that provides comfortable, permanent homes for orphaned and injured animals.
==History== The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center opened in 1993 as the for-profit Big Game Alaska.<ref name="legfin"/>
In 1999, the center became a 501(c)3 [[non-profit organization]], with Mike Miller serving as the center's executive director. The name was officially changed to Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Inc. in 2007.<ref name="legfin"/> In 2018, Miller departed the center as executive director, with Dianna Whitney being promoted to that position.<ref>{{cite web |title=Whitney New Executive Director of Wildlife Center |url=https://glaciercitygazette.net/whitney-new-executive-director-of-wildlife-center/ |website=Glacier City Gazette |date=11 July 2018 |access-date=31 December 2019 |archive-date=31 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231180407/https://glaciercitygazette.net/whitney-new-executive-director-of-wildlife-center/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2019, the center acquired the land and remaining assets from Miller.<ref>{{cite web |title=History of AWCC |url=https://www.alaskawildlife.org/history/ |website=AWCC}}</ref>
==Animals== [[File:Alaskan Brown Bear.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Adult Alaskan Brown bears frolicking in the cold waters in summer|Two adult Alaskan Brown bears at the Conservation Center]]
Animals at the center include [[Northwestern wolf|timber wolves]], [[grizzly bear]]s, [[American black bear|black bear]]s, [[Alaska moose|Alaskan moose]], [[red fox]]es, [[Roosevelt elk|elk]], [[muskox]]en, [[sitka deer|sitka black tailed deer]], [[porcupine caribou]], [[Canada lynx|Canadian lynx]], [[bald eagle]]s, [[great horned owl]]s, [[wood bison]], [[North American porcupine|porcupine]]s, and [[coyote]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Coyotes|url=https://www.alaskawildlife.org/animals/coyotes/|access-date=2021-04-12|website=AWCC|language=en-US}}</ref>
Most of the animals are cared for in large natural habitats. For instance, three brown bears live in an {{Convert|21|acre|adj=on}} habitat of brushland and conifers, and two black bears are housed in a {{Convert|14|acre|adj=on}} enclosure with a stream.<ref name="supportletter"/>
==Education== The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) hosts education and outreach programs connecting visitors and students with Alaska’s wildlife and conservation challenges. Each year, the center reaches thousands of students through its field trips, workshops, and career presentations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Education Programs |url=https://alaskawildlife.org/education/ |access-date=October 12, 2025 |publisher=Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center}}</ref>
AWCC’s K–12 curriculum aligns with Alaska’s science standards, emphasising topics like habitat conservation, predator–prey relationships, and the coexistence of human and wildlife. Educators teach hands-on lessons, including animal tracking, habitat surveys, and data collection activities that teach observation and stewardship skills.<ref>{{cite web |title=Free Education Programs |url=https://alaskawildlife.org/education/free-education-programs/ |access-date=October 12, 2025 |publisher=Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center}}</ref>
During the summer, AWCC hosts camps and internships that introduce youth to careers in biology and wildlife management. These programs include behind-the-scenes experiences with animal care staff and discussions on Alaska’s conservation laws.<ref>{{cite web |title=Internship Program |url=https://alaskawildlife.org/education/internship-program/ |access-date=October 12, 2025 |publisher=Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center}}</ref>
== Research and Partnerships == The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center works with other agencies within Alaska such as Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), universities, and conservation nonprofits on research related to large-mammal ecology, animal rehabilitation, and the management of captive wildlife.<ref>{{cite web |title=Research |url=https://alaskawildlife.org/research/ |access-date=October 12, 2025 |publisher=Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center}}</ref>
Some of the ongoing projects include long-term monitoring of [https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=woodbisonrestoration.herdupdates Wood Bison health] and [https://alaskawildlife.org/research/brown-bears/ behavioural studies on brown bears].
The AWCC also partners with Indigenous communities and ADF&G on stewardship education that combine traditional ecological knowledge with contemporary wildlife science.<ref>{{cite web |title=Outreach Programs |url=https://alaskawildlife.org/education/outreach/ |access-date=October 12, 2025 |publisher=Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center}}</ref>
==Conservation== Starting in 2003, the center has taken part in a program to reintroduce the [[wood bison]] back into Alaska after a 100-year absence. The wood bison is the largest land mammal in North America, and is a keystone grazing herbivore from the region. Conservationists transferred thirteen wood bison from various Canadian wildernesses to this wildlife conservation center in 2006. They sent fifty-three more Canadian wood bison from Alberta's [[Elk Island National Park]] for their survival two years later.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.alaskawildlife.org/wood-bison-reintroduction |title=Wood Bison Reintroduction - Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center |website=www.alaskawildlife.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907224629/https://www.alaskawildlife.org/wood-bison-reintroduction/ |archive-date=2015-09-07}} </ref> This project was a joint effort with the [[Alaska Department of Fish and Game|Alaska Department of Fish & Game]] and other conservation groups.<ref name="natgeo"/>
==In popular culture == Several documentaries, features films, and other video media have been shot on location at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center including a documentary for ''National Geographic'' and ''Into Alaska'' featuring [[Jeff Corwin]] in 2007, and ''Into the Wild'', starring [[Emile Hirsch]].<ref name="awcc_movies"/> Other special guests to the center include Jungle [[Jack Hanna]] who filmed a few segments for his syndicated program. The center, its animals and staff have also been featured on many episodes of the NatGeo show ''[[Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet]]''.
In July 2010 the center's resident porcupine, "Snickers," gained worldwide publicity from video footage in which the friendly rodent appeared to behave like a puppy. The video went viral on the internet in a matter of days.<ref name="huffington"/>
==Gallery== <gallery> Bald Eagle Plumage.jpg|A rescued [[bald eagle]] at the conservation center Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center ENBLA24.jpg|Bear at the center Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center ENBLA09.jpg|[[Elk]] (''Cervus canadensis'') Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center ENBLA25.jpg|[[Alaska moose]] (''Alces alces gigas'') Musk Ox Grazing (9317643546).jpg|[[Muskox]] (''Ovibos moschatus'') grazing at the center Wolf Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center - Girdwood Portage Alaska (35875057971).jpg|Wolves Two male caribou caught in act, Alaska.jpg|Two male caribou </gallery>
==References== {{Reflist|2|refs=
<ref name="natgeo">{{cite news |url=http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/news/chiefeditor/2010/08/wood-bison-return-to-alaska-range.html |title=Wood bison to be returned to their ancient range in Alaska |first=Jordan |last=Schaul|publisher=National Geographic|access-date=2010-08-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817011535/http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/news/chiefeditor/2010/08/wood-bison-return-to-alaska-range.html |archive-date=2010-08-17 }}</ref>
<ref name="awcc_movies">{{cite web | url=http://www.alaskawildlife.org/film.html | title=Filming at Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center | publisher=AWCC | work=alaskawildlife.org | accessdate=29 August 2010 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100822065023/http://www.alaskawildlife.org/film.html | archivedate=22 August 2010| url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="huffington">{{cite news | url=https://huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/20/porcupine-acts-like-a-pup_n_651453.html | title=Porcupine Acts Like a Puppy | work=HuffPost| date=20 July 2010 | accessdate=29 August 2010 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726045506/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/20/porcupine-acts-like-a-pup_n_651453.html | archivedate=26 July 2010 | url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="legfin">{{cite web | url=http://www.legfin.state.ak.us/BudgetReports/GetBackupDocuments.php?Year=2009&Type=proj&Number=50707&NumberType=LFD | title=Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Inc. - Visitor Education and Research Sanctuary (PDF) | publisher=State of Alaska | work=legfin.state.ak.us | date=April 2009 | accessdate=4 August 2016}}</ref>
<ref name="supportletter">{{cite web | url=http://gov.state.ak.us/omb/10_omb/budget/CapBackup/proj50707%20%2048511%20AWCC%20BEARS%20letter.pdf | title=Letter of support | publisher=State of Alaska | work=legfin.state.ak.us | date=6 May 2009 | accessdate=29 August 2010 | archive-date=17 August 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817142507/http://www.gov.state.ak.us/omb/10_omb/budget/CapBackup/proj50707%20%2048511%20AWCC%20BEARS%20letter.pdf| url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}
==External links== *{{Official website}}
{{Zoos of Alaska}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:1993 establishments in Alaska]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in Anchorage, Alaska]] [[Category:Nature conservation organizations based in the United States]] [[Category:Education in Anchorage, Alaska]] [[Category:Organizations based in Anchorage, Alaska]] [[Category:Roadside attractions in Alaska]] [[Category:Scientific organizations established in 1993]] [[Category:Tourist attractions in Anchorage, Alaska]] [[Category:Wildlife rehabilitation and conservation centers]] [[Category:Zoos in Alaska]]