Anchorage Zoo, Alaska, USA
Airing Date: Sep 19th, 2005
Anchorage is located at the base of the Chugach Mountains along the coast of the Cook Inlet in south-central Alaska. It is in the heart of the wilderness area which stretches from Portage Glacier to Ekluntna encompassing 782 hectares. It has a population of 261,446, 42% of the state's population.
Alaska is the largest state in the Union and is one-fifth the size of the continental US and is the most northern, western and eastern point in the United States of America. There are approximately 100,000 glaciers in Alaska, 60 of which are within 50 miles of Anchorage. Portage Glacier, just 72 kms south of Anchorage, is one of the most visited attractions in all of Alaska.
There's plenty to do in Anchorage with first-class hotels and quaint B&B's, four-star restaurants and small cafes, an outstanding Museum of History and Art and a multitude of other fun activities. You can also enjoy fishing, hunting, climbing and camping. With the town being surrounded by state and national parks it is the perfect place to view Alaskan wildlife.
There are over forty different types of Arctic animals in Alaska but getting a reliable and safe sighting of them is not always easy. A good option to see all these animals in their own climate is by visiting the Alaska Zoo.
The Zoo has more than 40 kinds of Arctic animals for you to view from safely behind the fence! The Zoo's star attraction is a polar bear named 'Apoon', rescued after her mother was killed in self-defence.
The bear was raised by hand and seven years later weighs 700 pounds. There are also two brown bears named Jake and Oreo. Wolverine, fox, eagle, snowy owl, caribou and lynx are but a few of the animals you can see in their natural environment at the zoo. Other Arctic animals such as the snow leopard, native to China, do well in the cold Alaskan climate too.
Further information
Alaska Zoo entry from $12 adults and $6 children.
Diamond Centre Hotel from $89 a person a night including breakfast.
Hawaiian Airlines & Fire & Ice to Anchorage from
$1855 ex Sydney. Prices include surcharges, fees & taxes. Conditions apply.
Alaska Bound
Telephone: 1300 650 481
Prices correct at 19/9/05
