Young gray whale appears to be stuck in Twentymile River near Portage
Biologists believe the 18- to 20-foot whale may be sick or injured. It’s unclear if it will be able to swim out during high tide.
Wildlife
The Kenai Eagle Cam is back, and bald eagles could be hatching before the end of the month
Two adult eagles, named Aurora and Redoubt, produced two eggs and are taking turns protecting them.
We have been grounded, but migrating birds have not
The spring bird migration has continued uninterrupted while much of the human population has been cooped up.
Explosion of beavers on the Baldwin Peninsula is part of their march north of the Arctic Circle
How the beavers got to the Baldwin Peninsula, which is surrounded by salt water and extends north of the Arctic Circle, is anyone’s guess.
Rabid coyote attacks dog in Quinhagak, prompting temporary lift of travel restrictions
Quinhagak had to weigh the risk of rabies with the risk of inviting a veterinarian into the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Groups request federal protection for Southeast Alaska wolf population
The Alaska Board of Game and wildlife managers lifted the quota for killing wolves before last winter’s hunting and trapping seasons, leading to nearly as many wolves killed as the number estimated to live in the region.
Sea lion expected to be 2nd of species to give birth at Alaska SeaLife Center
The SeaLife Center, one of three aquariums in North America housing Steller sea lions, previously hosted four other births, all from a female named Eden that now resides at the Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut.
Springtime brings reports of bear sightings across Anchorage
Two people have been chased by bears during the last few weeks as many are starting to come out of hibernation.
The life of Riley, former leader of once-mighty Denali wolf pack, reaches its end
While most wolves are lucky to live past 6, this matriarch lived to nearly 11.
Lessons from Alaska walrus bones, dusty and stinky
Walrus bones can provide a wealth of information to scientists, but they aren’t always clean or odor-free.
Alaska officials to residents: Don’t feed moose, even if they look skinny
Reports of intentional and unintentional feedings have come from Anchorage and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.
The secret life of a red fox family
A year’s worth of observation allows for the documentation of the growth and eventual split of the family.
Kaktovik man gets prison sentence after killing polar bear and letting the meat go to waste
A judge sentenced him to three months in federal prison, a year of parole and a $4,500 fine.
Oil companies can’t accurately locate polar bear dens in the Alaska Arctic, study finds
That failure could pose a grave risk to mothers and their cubs in the dens, which are hidden under snow and ice, if the Trump administration finalizes its plan to expand drilling into the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Want a close-up view of Alaska’s famous McNeil River bears? Applications are due soon.
People who want see brown bears dine on salmon at the remote sanctuary have less than two weeks to apply for guided viewing.
Wildlife officials prepare for Anchorage moose survey with help from citizens
The moose survey runs from Friday through Sunday. Citizens can call, text or visit the Fish and Game website to report moose sightings.
Group seeks endangered species listing for Alaska’s freshwater seals
The Center for Biological Diversity petitioned for additional protections for the 400 harbor seals that live at Iliamna Lake in Southwest Alaska.
Worries about visitor safety amid bears prompt Katmai National Park to propose permit system
If the permitting doesn’t improve visitor safety in the park, parts of the Brooks River Corridor could be closed to the public, the superintendent said.
Orphaned animals find new home at Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
Photos: Artemis the musk ox and Calliope the lynx are now living among the mostly orphaned, injured or abandoned animals at the center southeast of Anchorage.
Environmental groups give notice they’ll sue to protect Cook Inlet belugas from oil and gas operations
The groups contend that NOAA’s authorization for Hilcorp Alaska to “take” marine mammals incidental to its operations is harming the whales.