Alaska Vacation Home: Anchorage Alaska: Anchorage Zoo

The Anchorage Zoo: A Popular Attraction
for Locals and Visitors Alike

The Anchorage Zoo is a popular attraction for both locals and those who visit Anchorage. It won't be the largest zoo that you have ever visit, but if you love animals and beautiful and natural settings, you will love the Anchorage Zoo.

But, if you go expecting something like the San Diego California Zoo, you will be disappointed.

Recently I took my family to the Anchorage Zoo. We had been there once before, but several years had passed. It was immediately apparant that the Zoo has been very busy. There were many more exibits and the size of the zoo had grown.

We all enjoyed it...even our older kids. We had our 5 year old son Ethan with us and I think that made it fun for all of us. Seeing his reaction to the animals was a lot of fun!

What the Alaska Zoo lacks in size it makes up with it's beautiful hillside location and it's charm. It is home to more than 100 birds and animals (including tigers, leopards and polar bears) and is located on 25 acres. Most of the animals have been given a name by the local residents.

A Unique Beginning

In 1966 the Crown Zellerbach paper company held a contest. The grand prize was "$3000 or a baby elephant".

Everyone was surprised when Jack Snyder, an Alaskan, won and chose the elephant. So a 2 year old Asian elephant was brought to Alaska. It was eventually given to Mrs. Sammye Seawell, the owner of The Diamond Horse Ranch. At the time it had the only heated stalls in Anchorage!

In 1968 Mrs. Seawell and a group of supporters organized a non-profit group that soon after became the humble beginnings of the Anchorage Zoo.

This is the new zoo entrance and the souvenir shop.



This trail leads to the overlook into the Tiger compound.

I know that one goes to a zoo to see animals, but I was impressed with the layout and the picturesque trails and pathways throughout the Anchorage Zoo. The Anchorage Hillside area provides a very beautiful backdrop.

Looking into the grizzly bear area. We call them brown bears up here. The zoo has two grizzly bears



There was even a porcupine there. I have never seen such big porcupines, until I arrived in Alaska. This one is big, but I've seen one even bigger out in the woods.

Now that I think about it, on a hiking trip I once saw a sign that said "Porcupines love toilet paper and plywood....please make sure the door is latched closed....so the porcupines can't eat the bathroom". I remember laughing at that. Now I think I understand the sign a bit more!

We happened to be in the reindeer area, at feeding time. The zoo worker was very friendly and answered a lot of questions for the adults and kids that were standing nearby.

This is the seal and otter area.

A picture of most of the members of our family. It was an enjoyable couple of hours. If you have a few hours to spare, I highly recommend that include the Anchorage Zoo in your plans. If you live in the Anchorage area, and still have not made it to the zoo, what are you waiting for?

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