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Go beyond
the standard park tour and venture to Kantishna,
 deep
inside Denali National Park for premier Alaska wildlife viewing. This full-day
narrated bus trip explores the entire 95-mile restricted access Denali Park
Road, offering you the most opportunities to view the abundance of Alaska
wildlife the state has to offer. At the end of the road you’ll have a great
buffet lunch at our exclusive lodge and enjoy the remoteness and beauty of
Kantishna. The return trip gives you more opportunities for wildlife sightings
and photography.
Our experienced Guide/Driver helps you search for Alaska wildlife including
grizzly bears, black bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep and other Alaska wildlife
while pointing out the biology and geology of the region. Stop for Alaska
wildlife viewing and photo opportunities as you trek back to the Park’s
entrance.
Some of the Alaska wildlife you may see include:
Bears
Black bears are the most abundant and widely distributed of the three species of
North American bears. In Alaska, black bears occur over
most of the forested areas of the state.
In Southeast Alaska, black bears occupy
 most
islands with the exceptions of Admiralty, Baranof,
Chichagof, and Kruzof. Black bears are the smallest of the
North American bears. Three colors are common in Alaska. Black is the most often
encountered color, but brown or cinnamon colored bears are often seen in south
central Alaska and the southeastern mainland.
Grizzly bears occur throughout Alaska except on the islands
south of Frederick Sound in southeastern Alaska, the islands west of Unimak in
the Aleutian Chain, and the islands of the Bering Sea. Grizzly bears are very
much a part of the Alaska scene and are a favorite topic with most hunters,
hikers, photographers, and fishers.
The term “brown bear” is commonly used to refer to the members of this species
found in coastal areas where salmon is the primary food source. Brown bears
found inland and in northern habitats are often called “grizzlies.”
Alaska grizzly bears have been known to live 34 years in the wild, though this
is rare. Usually, old males may reach 22 years. Old females may live to 26.
Caribou
Caribou live in the arctic tundra, mountain tundra, and northern forests of
Alaska. The world population
is about 5 million. In Europe, caribou are called reindeer, but in Alaska and
Canada only the domestic forms are called reindeer. Caribou have large, concave
hoofs that spread widely to support the animal in snow and soft tundra. The feet
also function as paddles when caribou swim.
Caribou are the only member of the deer family in which both sexes grow antlers.
Antlers of adult bulls are large and massive; those of adult cows are much
shorter and are usually more slender and irregular.
Dall Sheep
Dall Sheep inhabit the mountain ranges of Alaska. They use the ridges, meadows,
and steep slopes for feeding and resting. When danger approaches they flee to
the rocks and crags to elude pursuers. They are generally high country animals.
Male Dall sheep are called rams. They are distinguished by massive
 curling
horns. The females, called ewes, have shorter, more slender, slightly curved
horns. Rams resemble ewes until they are about 3 years old. After that,
continued horn growth makes them easily recognizable. Horns grow steadily during
spring, summer, and early fall. In late fall or winter horn growth slows and
eventually ceases.
This start-and-stop growth of horns results in a pattern of rings called annuli,
which are spaced along the length of the horn. Age can be accurately determined
by counting the annuli. As rams mature, their horns form a circle when seen from
the side. Rams reach a full circle or "curl" in seven to eight years.
Moose
The Moose is the world's largest member of the deer family and the Alaska race
is the largest of all
 the
moose. They are most abundant in recently burned areas that contain willow and
birch shrubs, on timberline plateaus, and along the major rivers of South
central and Interior Alaska.
Moose are long-legged and heavy bodied with a drooping nose, a "bell" or dewlap
under the chin, and a small tail. Their color ranges from golden brown to almost
black, depending upon the season and the age of the animal. Only the bulls have
antlers.
The largest moose antlers in North America come from Alaska. In the wild, moose
rarely live more than 16 years. Antlers are shed as early as November, but
mostly in December and January.
Mountain Goat
The Mountain Goat is the single North American representative
 of
a widespread group of goat-like ungulates. All are characterized by relatively
short horns and a fondness for living in rugged terrain. In Alaska, mountain
goats occur throughout the southeastern Panhandle and continue north and west
along the coastal mountains to Cook Inlet. In Southcentral Alaska they are
generally confined to the Chugach and Wrangell mountains, although their range
extends into the Talkeetna Mountains nearly to Denali National Park.
Mountain goats are one of the two species of all white, hoofed, large mammals
found in Alaska. They are often confused with young and female Dall sheep, but
are easily distinguished by their longer hair, deeper chest, and black horns.
Eagles
The Bald Eagle of Alaska’s waterways and the soaring Golden Eagle of the
Interior are two of this state’s most magnificent birds of prey. Long valued for
their
 aesthetic
beauty, eagles are now recognized for their biological importance as scavengers
and predators in the natural environment. These raptors deserve our protection
and respect.
The Bald Eagle is so named for its conspicuous white head and tail. The
distinctive white adult plumage is not attained until 5 or more years of age.
Immature birds lack this easily identifiable characteristic and can be confused
with the Golden Eagle.
The Bald Eagle is Alaska’s largest resident bird of prey. Bald Eagles are more
abundant in Alaska than anywhere else in the United States. The Alaska
population has been estimated to include 30,000 birds at the time of fledging.
Bald Eagles often use and rebuild the same nest each year. Nest trees are
usually close to water, afford a clear view of the surrounding area, and often
provide sparse cover above the nest.
Eagles in Southcentral Alaska nest in old cottonwood trees near water. They do
not attain adult plumage and breed until 4 or 5 years of age.
Cost: $149.00 per person
More Denali National Park tours and activities:
Denali Alaska
Flightseeing adventure
Denali National Park Heli-hiking & Heli-tours
Iditarod Race Dog Kennel tour
Alaska Northern Lights Theatre show
Denali Alaska Whitewater Rafting |
