Page 212 - Vacation Country Travel Guide

ANAN WILDLIFE OBSERVATORY

Wrangell,Alaska

Anan Wildlife Observatory is a world class Anan with the Wrangell Ranger District, said
bear viewing destination. Located 30 miles that during the July-August salmon run there Susi Zimmermann
southeast of the town of Wrangell and nestled are approximately 40-60 black bears and
in the Tongass National Forest, the observatory 8-12 brown bears that use the area during
offers visitors a chance to be within feet of these the season, however, Anan Creek seems most
giants of the forest. Anan Creek was an ancient suited to the black bears.
fishing ground for the Stikine Tlingit clans who
would catch and preserve the large salmon run “I haven’t conducted an official study on this,”
for their winter food reserves. Today this creek said Galla, “but the black bears seem to have
still has one of the largest pink salmon runs in a fishing strategy. They like the small crevices
Southeast Alaska. Both black and brown bears and deep waters of the creek and tend not to
are attracted to the creek with mainly mothers, plunge into the water and sit down like brown
their cubs and juvenile bears taking advantage bears.”
of the abundance of fish.
Getting to the wildlife observatory requires
Dee Galla, Outdoor Recreation Planner for a boat or float plane and a permit, which are
regulated by the U.S. Forest Service with
only 60 given out per day from July 5th-
August 25th. Most permits are allocated to
experienced tour operators such as Breakaway
Adventures, Alaska Charters and Adventures,
Alaska Vistas and Alaska Peak and Seas, all
located in Wrangell.. The Anan Management
Plan limits the amount of visitors during the
salmon run out of respect for the bears, as
this is their main food source used to bulk up
before winter hibernation. There are a very
small number of permits set aside for individual
people and those can be purchased through
www.recreation.gov beginning February 1st
or through a weekly lottery from the Wrangell
District Office.
A brand new viewing platform and shelter
were constructed at Anan in 2022.
These tour operators are based out of
Wrangell, Alaska and give tours to the Anan
Wildlife Observatory:
Breakaway Adventures
Alaska Charters and Adventures
Alaska Peak and Seas
Alaska Vistas
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