Don MacDougall, who spent 14 seasons as a ranger at Pack Creek, said, “We need places like Pack Creek because they offer a chance to see brown bears in their natural environment and learn that they aren’t predatory killers. This video provides information on what it is like to visit. Site by Mikki Design. Behind me, a woman whom I was guiding, gasped and grabbed my arm. Admiralty Island is famous for having the densest brown bear population in the world, as well as for its breathtaking variety of animal life; here, you can expect to find whales, sea lions, seals and sea otters. Admiralty Island accounts for approximately 10 percent of Alaska's population of brown bears. Friends of Admiralty Island is made up of those who are moved to speak up for the inestimable value of this magnificent treasure. The true name of the island is Kootznoowoo, which in Tlingit means “fortress of the bears.” Visitors camp on nearby Windfall Island and visit Pack Creek when it’s open to people, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. All three companies take care of logistics. During peak season, from July 5 to August 25, the number of permits is limited to 24 per day. Visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game for a complete list of viewing locations. Admiralty Island is my favorite place in the spring. Alaska’s Admiralty Island is home to an estimated 1800 brown bears, the largest concentration of bears in the world. Admiralty Island accounts for approximately 10 percent of Alaska's population of brown bears. There is a lighthouse on the island. There are two main viewing areas. Bjorn Dihle is Alaska magazine's gear editor and a lifelong resident of southeast Alaska. Pregnant females will give birth to cubs in the den in January or February, with an average litter size of two to three cubs. For flora this includes grasses; other plants like bulbs; berries like salmonberries and blueberries; and mushrooms. Being that Admiralty Island is the 5th largest island in Alaska (and the 7th largest in the U.S.) at 1,684 square miles, that brown bear statistic is absolutely jaw-dropping. Harry Tulles, a U.S. Forest Service employee and Pack Creek program manager, summed up Pack Creek well. Located in the heart of SE Alaska coastal inside passage, Admiralty and Chichagof Islands claim the most brown bears per square mile of anywhere in the world. Adult males on average will weigh 195–390 kg (430–860 lb), with adult females weighing on average 95–205 kg (210–450 lb). There is a lighthouse on the island. Go with Pack Creek Bear Tours and see bears on Admiralty Island—an area with up to 1,500 brown bears. Bears in general stick to a home range they establish as young adults. One of the things which I really enjoy about the spring hunts on Admiralty Island is the diversity of wildlife we see each day. The area is also known by the native Tlingít people as \"Kootznoowoo,\" which translates to \"fortress of the bears.\" Admiralty Island is home to an estimated 1,600 brown bears (n… Admiralty Island in Alaska, where the attack happened, has the densest population of grizzlies in the world. Extrapolating the estimate to the entire island suggested a population of about 1,700 bears on Admiralty Island. Brown Bear hunts are 10 days of hunting. [1][4], Prior studies have shown that the ABC Islands brown bears are the descendants of polar bears from male-dominated brown bears. Please try again. Some 1,800 brown bears inhabit its twisted and folded terrain. The second, a viewing tower, requires a mile-long hike through the rain forest. There is also a lake in the interior that is the home to the beautiful Trumpeter Swans. [4] Fossil remains from the Last Glacial Maximum(LGM) show that there was no habitat suitable for brown bears to occupy during this time, this includes the area with which they need to inhabit. The ABC Islands bear or Sitka brown bear (Ursus arctos sitkensis) is a subspecies or population of brown bear that resides in Southeast Alaska and is found on Admiralty Island, Baranof Island, and Chichagof Island of Alaska. Before or after those dates, no permit is required. The island is home to an estimated 1,500 brown bears -- more than all the Lower 48 states combined. An unspoiled wilderness, wild Alaskan brown bears, a great adventure. The research for the study began in 1982, when bears on Admiralty were equipped with collars and tracked. Brown bears abound on this Alaskan island, parts of which have seen both widespread clear-cutting and forest regrowth in recent decades. “It was worth coming all the way just for Pack Creek,” Sanchez said. This research analysis in particular discovered more genetic similarities between the polar bears and ABC Islands brown bears. Admiralty Island is home to the highest density of brown bears in North America: about 1,600. Please check your email to verify your subscription. Pack Creek on Admiralty Island is one of Alaska’s premiere bear viewing areas. Hunt Admiralty and Chichagof islands – World renowned for the highest density of brown bears in the world. The tower is above the creek and, when the salmon are running, can offer views of bears prowling and fishing the shadowy stream. This is a great day trip option from Alaskas capital city of Juneau, as a short floatplane ride will get you here in about 30 minutes. This would happen with male brown bears swimming over to the islands and mating with the female polar bears. Type above and press Enter to search. These brown bears that inhabit the island outnumber the Tlingit community of Angoon, the only settlement on the island, about three to one. It's a way to raise the consciousness of people about the bears and about the incredibly rich area called Admiralty Island. Located a 30-minute floatplane flight from Juneau, Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area on Admiralty Island has attracted bear viewers for decades. Admiralty bears are frequently found in alpine habitat, Berners bears, almost never. Stan really loved the place. It has one of the world's highest density brown bear populations. The brown bear’s claws glowed in the morning light as it trudged toward us. In addition, it is known as the "Fortress of the Bears". THE HUNT. The researchers of this study present a model that derives them from a population of polar bears that were stranded after the last glacial period, where brown bears migrated to the island and interbred, leaving the phenotype and genotype of these bears to be primarily brown bear. Bears travel the same pathways, scratch on the same ancient trees, and silently accommodate the same small groups of respectful visitors, season after season.”. “Let’s sit down,” I said. The Admiralty Island a.k.a. There are approximately one bear per square mile - 1600 bears; 1600 square miles. A successful hunt is based on opportunity, and more bears equals more opportunity. Still, there are conflicting pressures that could put the Pack Creek bears at risk. Enter the world of the great brown bear at the Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area on Admiralty Island, just a short 30 minute float plane ride from Juneau, Alaska. In addition, it is known as the "Fortress of the Bears". Search Wilderness Connect For Practitioners Search Wilderness Connect For Practitioners Embracing nearly a million acres of old growth rainforest, alpine tundra, and rugged coastline, Admiralty Island National Monument has been home to the Tlingít people for centuries, and to the brown bear even longer. It’s often said that Admiralty, at 100 miles long and with nearly 700 miles of coastline, has the densest concentration of brown bears and bald eagles in the world. Sign up for our newsletter so you don't miss a thing! Brown bears are found north and south of Juneau on the mainland, and to the west across Stephens Passage on Admiralty Island. The remote wilderness area of Admiralty Island lies just 15 miles off the coast of Juneau. VISITOR IMPACT ON BROWN BEARS, ADMIRALTY ISLAND, ALASKA SUSAN H. WARNER, Alaska Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, 211 Irving, University of Alaska-Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775 Abstract: Human disturbance of brown bears (Ursus arctos) was studied in the Pack Creek area of Admiralty Island in Southeast Alaska during the summers of 1983 and 1984. [4][10][11] However, fossils in this area did show a concentration of marine mammals, especially ringed seals, which are a common staple to polar bears diet. Combination Brown Bear and Black Bear hunting Southeast, AK in … Admiralty Island AK Alaska Americas animals bear environment forest island mountains NASA Earth Observatory North America ocean Pacific Pacific Ocean satellite sea United States USA. Pack Creek teaches us how we fit into the world and how to interact and respect other species we share the planet with.”. Bays such as Mitchell, Hood, Whitewater and Chaik contain harbor seals, porpoise… Follow. It is the home to probably over 1600 big brown bears. Some 1,800 brown bears inhabit its twisted and folded terrain. Admiralty Island: “Fortress of the Bears” Brown bears abound on this Alaskan island, parts of which have seen both widespread clear-cutting and forest regrowth in recent decades. The bear’s just licking clam juice off its lips.”. Admiralty Island interim guidelines. Youll be met by a park ranger who will lead you on a short mile-long trail to a nearby observation tower, where all the magic begins to unfold before your very eyes. Admiralty island is known for brown bears, and pack creek is world renowned for viewing. For fauna this includes animals like voles, mice, squirrels, and salmon. Admiralty Island is home to one of the world's highest density of brown bears. It is a fitting name for a place with one of the highest densities of brown bears in North America. It is one of the ABC islands in Alaska. It’s often said that Admiralty, at 100 miles long and with nearly 700 miles of coastline, has the densest concentration of brown bears and bald eagles in the world. Each company is aligned with one of two local floatplane taxi companies, Alaska Seaplanes or Ward Air. Juneau is bear country, and the very best place to view the coastal-dwelling, salmon-eating brown bears in the wild is Admiralty Island, also known as The Fortress of the Bears. These islands have the colloquial name of the ABC Islands and are a part of the Alexander Archipelago. Bear viewing on Admiralty Island, part of Admiralty Island National Monument, a federally protected wilderness area administered by the Tongass National Forest, allows visitors to experience bears at home in the forests of the Kootznoowoo Wilderness. Bears find food and avoid danger because their hearing and sense of smell are superb, and their eyesight is at least as good as humans. Along with the humped back, the bears also have a slightly dished profile to the face. There are approximately one bear per square mile - 1600 bears; 1600 square miles. It is the home to probably over 1600 big brown bears. Locally known as "Fortress of the Bear", this large island is home to over 1,600 grizzly bears, one of the highest concentrations in the world with approximately one bear per square mile! Its habitat exists within the Tongass National Forest, which is par… Bear viewing on Admiralty Island, part of Admiralty Island National Monument, a federally protected wilderness area administered by the Tongass National Forest, allows visitors to experience bears at home in the forests of the Kootznoowoo Wilderness. These bears did not leave the island during the time. The study was conducted using seven polar bears, two brown bears, and one black bear to gather ancestral alleles. These bears did not leave the island during the time. 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