I spy: something black and round in the green trees and grass!
Oh, cute little sweet furry black bear, don’t you belong in the zoo?
Um, not in Alaska.
This black bear was found just off the highway, a couple miles up from our house. My hubby got these pictures from the car.
Bomb Diggity!
According the the Anchorage Alaska Wildlife Visitor Guide, there are (approximately) 80 bears inside Anchorage and a total of 250 bears in the Anchorage vicinity. Pretty wild, huh? There are also a couple in the Anchorage Zoo, which I think is sort of funny.
Yes, bears and moose are quite common here, and it’s normal and expected to spot them roaming around. This is “their” land. Bears and moose are allowed to be anywhere in the city, as long as they aren’t hurting anyone. If you spot a bear in your driveway, for example, you can call the police or city wildlife home dogs, but they won’t come out and do anything unless the bear is attacking you or your property or something else dangerous.
I think it’s crazy.
It's the same thing in Florida with alligators. Animal control won't come get an alligator unless it has eaten a household pet (or human) or it reaches 10 (maybe 12) feet in length. There are just too many of them. We used to have one that lived in the pond behind our house.
Eeeeek!!!!! We are moving up to Anchorage in December. (My hubby just got orders to Elmendorf) I am soooo nervous about the wild life… yet I am sooo excited because I can't wait to photograph it all!!! ( Also stoked about getting out of Louisiana! ) I didn't realize you lived in Anchorage! (I've been following your blog for a while now!) Maybe I could pick your brain about areas in Anchorage to rent!! We are undecided if we want to livew on base or not… My hubby has been talking about Eagle River or something like that.
Too funny- you saw a bear today and I saw lots of moose! You're so right about this being their land and us just sharing the space with them. I try to explain that to people and they just look at me weird.
Laura, SO cool that you are moving here!!!! 🙂 Don't be nervous, you get used to it pretty fast. It WILL make for awesome pictures! Email me, I would love to talk to you and help you out with good/bad places to live. 🙂
mamanotes@gmail.com
Lauren,
Seriously? Alligators eat people??! ACK! Scary! That is so crazy! Seeee Alaska isn't the only crazy place. haha!