Description

Don't expect the variety of a big-city zoo, but what the Alaska Zoo lacks in size it makes up with a charm all its own. Anchorage residents have developed personal relationships with the animals, naming many of them. That affection has made the national controversy over Maggie the African elephant an especially hot topic -- animal welfare groups don't think she belongs in Alaska, and everyone from children's magazines to Jay Leno and David Letterman have weighed in. The zoo is trying to keep Maggie happy by improving her housing, including building a one-of-a-kind elephant treadmill for wintertime exercise (read the zoo's position at www.alaskazoo.org/maggienews.htm). The Alaskan animals are the zoo's best attraction. I enjoy watching Ahpun the polar bear play and swim underwater (you can check that out on a webcam, too). Gravel paths meander through the woods past large enclosures with natural flora for bears, seals and otters, musk oxen, Dall sheep, moose, caribou, waterfowl -- all the animals you were supposed to see in Alaska but may have missed. (Don't get the Siberian tigers, yaks, snow leopards, or Bactrian camels in your snapshots -- they'll blow your story.) You can easily spend half a day here. If you don't have a car, consider using the free summer-only shuttle from downtown. It is timed to meet up with 2-hour naturalist tours that take place every day at 2:30pm, and include some backstage stops. The tours are $25 adults, half price ages 2 to 17. A snack bar serves basic meals and there is a gift shop. Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.