Oohs, aahs and the sound of the camera clicking away filled the car as we drove along the scenic drive along Turnagain Arm on the 127-mile Seward highway to get from Anchorage to Seward. In some parts, mountains line one side of the highway while the ocean borders the other.
Seward Highway – Mountains line one side of the highway and the ocean borders the other.
We were headed to Seward on our way to the Kenai Fjords National Park. On the way to Seward, about an hour (~47 miles) south of Anchorage on AK Route 1 South, there’s a hidden gem that’s a must visit – The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.
Seward Highway
Portage, AK 99587
(907) 783-2025
alaskawildlife.org
The non-profit conservation center provides refuge and rehabilitation for rescued, orphaned, injured, ill and any number of scenarios that needed human intervention to preserve their life. It is not a zoo, the animals roam free on hundreds of acres of enclosed natural habitat.
These are just some of the animals we got a chance to visit and photograph…
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is not a zoo. It is a conservation center that provides refuge and rehabilitation to injured, orphaned and ill animals.
First time seeing Musk Oxes.
Depending on each individual animal at the center, once rehabilitated, they are returned to the wild and for those that can no longer live on their own in the wild, they are given a permanent place in AWCC.
Elk – up close! They are free to roam hundreds of acres of enclosed natural habitat.
Do not forget your camera and zoom lens!
Bald eagle – up close and personal! We saw two at the conservation center.
The animals we photographed above are just a handful of the animals you’ll get to see at the conservation center. There were more animals in the area that we didn’t photograph.
Backed by beautiful Alaskan scenery, this is a beautiful place to visit when you’re in Anchorage!
[notification type=”star”]TAKEAWAYS:
- We recommend setting aside 60 – 90 minutes of your day to explore the entirety of the conservation center.
- Take AK Route 1 South heading from Anchorage to Seward. About 47 miles in, you’ll see signs to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.
- Don’t forget to bring your cameras and zoom lenses.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You can drive around the paths to the various animal enclosures but you’ll definitely want to get out of the car. The roads are a little rocky and dusty.
- There are rangers in the area, so ask them any questions that you have.
- There is an admission fee. Check out their website for latest pricing: http://www.alaskawildlife.org/visit.html
19 Comments
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Thank you for sharing all the wonderful pictures. I also found the Google Map embedded extremely helpful in trying to figure out the exact location and possibly planning a future trip to this conservation land. It’s great that they’re there to help wounded animals. The panorama photo was quite stunning as well and gave a realistic view of what one could expect. Thanks for inspiring!
Joel recently posted..A Day In The Life of a Forester Consultant Interview [video]
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Glad you found this post useful! We also have a couple other posts on Alaska which should hopefully help you in your trip planning to this region! Let us know if you need any further info!
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Amazing captures! Just loved those Musk Oxes:)
Have a happy week ahead:)
Arti recently posted..…Back to Blogging-
Thanks Arti! It was a big difference from visiting zoos. We prefer conservation centers such as these where the animals are rehabilitated and then released back to the wild (the ones that are deemed able to survive on their own).
Jeremy & Shirlene recently posted..{China} Best Roast Duck in Beijing? We think it’s at Da Dong Roast Duck Restaurant
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{USA} Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center on the Scenic Seward Highway http://t.co/u2bHuymP via @idelishTravel
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{USA} Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center on the Scenic Seward Highway http://t.co/nNkNDNm7 via @idelish
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{USA} Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center on the Scenic Seward Highway http://t.co/0ZzFOoGR via @sharethis
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This is something I would love to see! My husband has been to the Kenai but I have not. It is definitely something that is on my list.
Debbie Beardsley recently posted..3 Little Gems of England-
It is an absolutely beautiful drive from Anchorage to Seward on your way to Kenai! Hope you get to do the drive one day!
Jeremy & Shirlene recently posted..{Tips} Family Trips Are The Most Memorable!
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{USA} Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center on the Scenic Seward Highway http://t.co/uWelNE5Z via @idelishTravel
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{USA} Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center on the Scenic Seward Highway http://t.co/0zGzj71R via @idelishTravel
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@idelishtravel visits the #Alaska wildlife conservation center. #travel goodness! http://t.co/q293gdBW
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{USA} Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center on the Scenic Seward Highway http://t.co/sqMGFOZQ via @idelishTravel
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{USA} Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center on the Scenic Seward Highway http://t.co/g1pElf8L via @idelishTravel
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{USA} Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center on the Scenic Seward Highway http://t.co/Vf0qTPBH via @idelishTravel
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{#USA} #Alaska #Wildlife Conservation Center on the Scenic Seward Highway http://t.co/bTiq4gQO #anchorage
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This is definitely a hidden gem – the photos are wonderful, particularly the bear.
Steve recently posted..Qikou Trading Post on the Yellow River – Shanxi Province
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Thanks Steve! We wished we’d had taken more photos but we were spending more time with our cameras down to appreciate the beauty of the place and the animals!
Jeremy & Shirlene recently posted..{Spain} Cuevas El Abanico, a Cave Hotel in Granada
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