Page 63 - Breath of the Bear

Susi Zimmermann Bill Feller

ANAN WILDLIFE OBSERVATORY

Wrangell,Alaska

A generation or two ago, Anan Wildlife the observatory offers visitors a chance to
Observatory was only known to the locals of be within feet of these giants of the forest.
Wrangell, Alaska. Before the observatory, the Anan Creek was an ancient fishing ground
photo blind, trail and stairs, there were only for the Stikine Tlingit clans who would catch
salmon and the bears. Tourists wandering and preserve the large salmon run for their
into Wrangell had to be convinced to take an winter food reserves. Today this creek still
hour boat ride, land on a rocky beach and hike has one of the largest pink salmon run in
into a dark, overgrown forest with only the Southeast Alaska. Both black and brown
guide they had just met a few hours before. bears are attracted to the creek with mainly
But for those brave individuals who listened mothers, their cubs and juvenile bears taking
to local guides, they were rewarded with an advantage of the abundance of fish.
experience right out of a high adventure novel.
Dee Galla, Outdoor Recreation Planner for
Today, Anan Wildlife Observatory is a world Anan with the Wrangell Ranger District, said
class bear viewing destination. Located 30 that during the July-August salmon run there
miles southeast of the town of Wrangell are approximately 40-60 black bears and
and nestled in the Tongass National Forest, 8-12 brown bears that use the area during

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