Wildlife in Alaska

Alaskan Wildlife

One of the wonderful things about Alaska is the abundance and diversity of the wildlife that resides in this beautiful northern state. Nearly 1,100 vertebrate species can be found in Alaska, and thousands of invertebrates are also thought to live in diverse habitats across the state. With five different types of bears (brown, grizzly, Kodiak, black, and polar), Alaska is home to approximately 98% of the U.S. brown bear population and 70% of the total North American population. Add to that the caribou, moose, bison, Dall sheep, mountain goats, birds, orca whales, and at least eight different kinds of fish, and Alaskans are virtually surrounded by lots of interesting wildlife to observe!

Animals unique to the region include the polar bear and Dall sheep. The polar bear population is concentrated in two main areas. The western part of Alaska near the Wrangell Islands is the home of the Chukchi population, and the Beaufort Sea population can be found near Alaska’s North Slope. The current polar bear population numbers around 4,700 and is protected by conservation efforts such as The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972.

Dall sheep are found in the mountain regions of Alaska where there is rocky terrain and steep, inclined land. They are occasionally spotted grazing below their usual high elevation when food is hard to find. They avoid predators and human activities by dwelling in the steep, rocky environment. Alaska contains a good size population of these unique sheep, which are commonly seen in the eastern and western sides of Denali National Park.

When it comes to seeing the wildlife in Alaska, there are a lot of different methods you can use to observe these wonderful creatures. Commercial tours offer a guided excursion through a day of everything from bird watching to whale watching and can be a great way to learn about the many native species that roam the Alaskan frontier.

Alaska also has animal sanctuaries and centers where visitors can see Alaskan wildlife enjoying their natural habitats. One such sanctuary is the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a wildlife sanctuary that provides comfortable, permanent homes for orphaned and injured animals.

Local museums are another way to learn about the various species of animals living in Alaska. This is a wonderful activity for individuals, families, and groups which offers everyone a chance to see many examples of Alaskan wildlife up close.

Finally, because the wildlife in Alaska is so abundant, there’s a good chance you may cross paths with a moose on a city street. Most of the wildlife in Alaska are used to seeing humans, and don’t pose a threat to individual safety. It’s always advisable to give them their space, however! The beautiful nature of the rugged terrain of Alaska and the abundant wildlife all work together to make The Last Frontier a great place to live.

If moving to Alaska is in your future, contact Golden North Van Lines today for a free quote, and let us help you lay the groundwork for a successful move. We are an Alaskan moving company and relocation service in Anchorage and Fairbanks, and we’ve got decades of experience successfully moving households and businesses to and from Alaska. Whether you’re moving a household or an entire commercial business, at Golden North Van lines, we’ve got you covered.