Animals

by The Associated Press Wednesday, March 17, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A new report says animals near the North Pole are disappearing substantially. The United Nations report finds overall that the number of animals in the Arctic has increased substantially since 1970, mostly because of hunting restrictions. Birds, mammals and fish are up an average of 16 percent. But species in the "high" Arctic dropped by one-quarter. North American caribou are down by one-third, a figure the study's author calls worrisome.

Kicking off our countdown of the top ten stories of the year is Jackie Bartz’s look at the threatened and endangered Alaskan species grabbing headlines in 2010. From polar bears to beluga whales, Alaska's animals caused a stir this year. With several legal battles pending and more potential threatened and endangered listings in the coming months the controversy over Alaska's animals won't end with the New Year.

Some lucky animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center enjoyed a nutritious feast Sunday, courtesy of the Alaska State Fair. The same giant produce that was featured at the fair was fed to the animals as part of a new partnership between the center and the fair. The center received truckloads of donated giant cabbages, zucchinis, turnips, radishes and gourds. On Sunday afternoon, workers at the center stocked a flatbed pickup truck, which was driven into the bear enclosure. Huge treats will be dished out to the other animals, and extra cabbages will be served to the moose and bison.

It's unclear just what it is that draws visitors to a remote wildlife sanctuary, tucked away in the wilderness about 28 miles outside of the Southeast town of Haines -- the animals or the owner. Both are a rare find, and when you put the two together, well, you won't be disappointed. "This is how they grab their prey, they grab ahold of the neck like that," Steve Kroschel explains as he wrangles a very playful wolverine, one of three he has in captivity. Don't call the Kroschel Wildlife Center a zoo. Steve insists it's not. And besides, you'll see things here you won't find anywhere else.

Alaska State Troopers served a search warrant at Wolf Country USA in  Palmer Thursday, triggered by complaints that the tourist business is selling hybrid wolves in violation of state law. Investigators shut the business down temporarily Thursday morning so they could tranquilize animals kept there and take DNA samples. Troopers say new DNA technology will enable them to determine whether the animals are hybrid wolves. The owner, Warner Schuster, says he has about 40 animals, which include 12 puppies.

Dubbed a "window to the sea," the Alaska SeaLife Center is a big destination for residents and visitors to the Last Frontier. But Alaska's only public aquarium is more than just a tourist attraction -- it's a facility where dozens of professionals work behind the scenes to keep the animals in top form. "These animals probably have the best health care of anyone in Alaska,” said the SeaLife Center's president, Dr. Tara Riemer Jones. “We have veterinarians on the staff who do regular rounds, and also husbandry staff that feed and care for the animals every single day. " While tourists are thrilled from their vantage point in front of the glass, there are a number of activities taking place behind the scenes that keep the facility running like feeding and providing daily medical care to a wide variety of animals.

So where does a 2700 pound Wood Bison sleep? Answer: Anywhere he wants to! And that's part of the problem with Alaska's the long-planned release of a herd of Wood Bison. The animals, the biggest terrestrial mammal anywhere in North America, have been absent from the Alaska landscape for so long now, that those planning its re-release into the wild are finding the process more complicated than they expected. Because the animals have been extinct in this state since 1928, you can't just take a group of them and plop them down anywhere.

by Angela Blanchard Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- As the Fur Rendezvous festival tries to roar back into popularity, it's created something new with a very distinct Alaska flare. The first-ever Running of the Reindeer took place Sunday afternoon. Thousands of people lined the streets to watch the reindeer run. Even minutes before the race no one was sure what was going to happen, whether the animals would run, or simply mosey down the street. The 1,000 participants, 500 men and 500 women quickly learned how the animals would react.

The State of Alaska hopes to continue launching rockets from the Kodiak Launch Complex, but it will need federal approval to disrupt animals in the area. The state's aerospace agency wants to renew a federal permit to allow it to inadvertently harass Steller sea lions and harbor seals. The protected animals have haulouts about five miles downrange from the launch pad. Biologists say the roar of the rockets frighten the animals and causes temporary hearing loss. The permit is issued under the Marine Mammals Protection Act, and the U.S. Commerce Department is seeking public comment on the issue.

Anchorage police say a bear was shot and killed on Sunday after it returned to a home off of Rabbit Creek Road, where it apparently killed a llama hours earlier. Shannon Gribbon was the owner of the 13 year-old llama named Ande. She says she believes he may have been killed by two bear cubs. The llama was found dead in its enclosure and Gribbon and her husband removed it. But about four hours later, she says one of the brown bears returned looking for it, and seemed upset that the carcass was gone.

The Anchorage Fire Department was awarded the "Compassionate Fire Department Award" by the organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals after saving the lives of 10 pets from an apartment fire on Government Hill, January 10. The fire department said its top priority is saving human lives but they do rescue animals when they can. "Our top concern is [human] life safety," said AFD engineer Patrick O'Shea, "The first thing we do when we get on scene is to go search the structure and make sure nobody is in it and if while searching we do find pets we will grab them and bring them out.” AFD said all firefighters are trained to use specially designed resuscitation masks for small animals. PETA will be sending the AFD additional resuscitation masks to the department.

Radio station Movin' 105.7 is organizing Operation Teddy Bear and said Sunday they are still accepting stuffed animals. Next week the stuffed animals will be turned over to local law enforcement agencies in Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley. The purpose is for officers to keep the stuffed animal in their vehicle and hand them out to children they come in contact with at crime and fire scenes. The purpose is to help children through a difficult time and create a bond between law enforcement and youth.

Animals lovers, including state legislators and Anchorage municipality assembly members, gathered Sunday, January 6, 2013, to discuss animal advocacy. The three-hour meeting was organized by the Anchorage Animal Control Advisory Board to review upcoming and past laws regarding animals. Organizers said it was also a way for people who care about animals to connect. Attendance at the workshop included local pet sitters, pet owners, and people interested in volunteering with animal groups.

The Learning Farm's Christmas Break Farm Camp is teaching Anchorage children the basics about animals, as well as giving them a chance to get outside when they're out of school. Numerous horses are available to ride at the farm where during Christmas break, kids can ride horses, learn about dog sleds, and even make cheese. The farm in South Anchorage hosts the camp so kids can have something fun, but educational, to do over the holiday break. Deborah Baines, its director, says the lessons learned there can last a lifetime.

So where does a 2700 pound Wood Bison sleep? Answer: Anywhere he wants to! And that's part of the problem with Alaska's the long-planned release of a herd of Wood Bison. The animals, the biggest terrestrial mammal anywhere in North America, have been absent from the Alaska landscape for so long now, that those planning its re-release into the wild are finding the process more complicated than they expected. Because the animals have been extinct in this state since 1928, you can't just take a group of them and plop them down anywhere.

Many kids go to the Alaska State Fair just to have a good time… others go to secure their future. The 4H program helps kids raise money for a college fund while teaching them life lessons, and currently they're learning one of the harder lessons. Ashleena says, “I really don't have a lot of choices. As far as raising money for college this is the best way I can do it along with a summer job.”  9 year old Brittyn Werner and 17 year old Ashleena Roberts are preparing for college by prepping their animals for auction.

Dubbed a "window to the sea," the Alaska SeaLife Center is a big destination for residents and visitors to the Last Frontier. But Alaska's only public aquarium is more than just a tourist attraction -- it's a facility where dozens of professionals work behind the scenes to keep the animals in top form. "These animals probably have the best health care of anyone in Alaska,” said the SeaLife Center's president, Dr. Tara Riemer Jones. “We have veterinarians on the staff who do regular rounds, and also husbandry staff that feed and care for the animals every single day. " While tourists are thrilled from their vantage point in front of the glass, there are a number of activities taking place behind the scenes that keep the facility running like feeding and providing daily medical care to a wide variety of animals.

Anchorage police say a bear was shot and killed on Sunday after it returned to a home off of Rabbit Creek Road, where it apparently killed a llama hours earlier. Shannon Gribbon was the owner of the 13 year-old llama named Ande. She says she believes he may have been killed by two bear cubs. The llama was found dead in its enclosure and Gribbon and her husband removed it. But about four hours later, she says one of the brown bears returned looking for it, and seemed upset that the carcass was gone.

As the Memorial Day weekend approaches, wildlife biologists are warning people to be careful if they go hiking in the warm weather.  This is the week when moose give birth to their calves -- and if you run across a cuddly little moose calf, the mother is likely to be nearby.  Giving in to the urge to pet calves can quickly lead to trouble, like being charged by a cow moose weighing from 600 to 800 pounds. In addition to humans being endangered, calves can be endangered too. On Tuesday, in Talkeetna, pet dogs separated a moose calf from its mother and then attacked the calf.

The Alaska Bird and Farm Animal Rescue, an animal education rehabilitation and petting farm, welcomed a "miniature" addition to their group this spring. Mare, "Star of Bethlehem" gave birth to a colt just over two weeks ago. The newborn does not have a name yet, but he is what some people may consider a miracle. Star birthed newborn miniature horse, "Daddy's Girl" in 2010, but it died after a mauling by two bulldogs. Star's most recent colt is her first baby horse to survive past the first few crucial days.