Alaska Zoo, Anchorage

The Alaska Zoo in Anchorage offers a unique experience for visitors, blending education and conservation across its sprawling 25-acre setting on Anchorage Hillside. Known for its impressive collection of over 100 animals representing around 50 species, the zoo provides an authentic Alaskan wildlife experience with native animals like polar bears, moose, and wolves, as well as exotic creatures like Amur tigers, Bactrian camels, and yaks.

Since its opening in 1969, the zoo has held a special place in Alaskan history. It all began when local grocer Jack Snyder won an elephant in a contest, bringing Annabelle, a young Asian elephant, to Anchorage. Annabelle’s charm soon inspired the formation of a nonprofit, leading to the establishment of the Alaska Children’s Zoo. The zoo expanded over the years, including notable additions like Maggie, an African elephant and friend to Annabelle, and Binky, a polar bear whose antics briefly caught global attention.

Today, the Alaska Zoo champions education and conservation, partnering with programs like the Species Survival Program and Polar Bear International. These initiatives support species such as tigers, snow leopards, and polar bears, with the zoo also working alongside the University of Alaska Anchorage on research and animal care. With no public funding, the zoo sustains itself through admissions, donations, and other services, ensuring care for its animals and educational outreach for future generations.

Visitors are welcomed year-round, with summer tours and animal feeding sessions, and in winter, the quiet trails transform into a serene snowscape, complete with events like Zoo Lights, giving a magical touch to the Alaskan wilderness experience.