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ANAN WILDLIFE OBSERVATORY

Wrangell,Alaska

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
Anan Wildlife Observatory is a world class are approximately 40-60 black bears and WRANGELL’S
bear viewing destination. Located 30 miles 8-12 brown bears that use the area during
southeast of the town of Wrangell and nestled the season, however, Anan Creek seems most PREMIER JET BOAT
in the Tongass National Forest, the observatory suited to the black bears.
offers visitors a chance to be within feet of these “I haven’t conducted an official study on this,” OPERATION!
giants of the forest. Anan Creek was an ancient said Galla, “but the black bears seem to have
fishing ground for the Stikine Tlingit clans who a fishing strategy. They like the small crevices
would catch and preserve the large salmon run and deep waters of the creek and tend not to
for their winter food reserves. Today this creek plunge into the water and sit down like brown Stikine River
still has one of the largest pink salmon runs in bears.” Tours From
Southeast Alaska. Both black and brown bears Getting to the wildlife observatory requires $230. 00
are attracted to the creek with mainly mothers, a boat or float plane and a permit, which are
their cubs and juvenile bears taking advantage regulated by the U.S. Forest Service with
of the abundance of fish. only 60 given out per day from July 5th-
Dee Galla, Outdoor Recreation Planner for August 25th. Most permits are allocated to
Anan with the Wrangell Ranger District, said experienced tour operators such as Breakaway
that during the July-August salmon run there Adventures, Alaska Charters and Adventures,
Operating
Since 1989

Bus Style Seating!
Better Comfort & View!
STIKINE RIVER
ANAN BEAR OBSERVATORY
SHAKES & LECONTE GLACIERS
SKIFF/CANOE RENTALS
& SUPPORT

1-907-874-2488

Your next Alaskan adventure awaits info@breakawayadventures.com
www.breakawayadventures.com

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