Alaska Public Media’s “Talk of Alaska” recently interviewed the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Bird Treatment and Learning Center (Bird TLC) and The Alaska Zoo. During this discussion, leaders from all three organizations discussed animal adaptations, how animals come into our care, how COVID-19 has impacted operations, and more. Listen to the recording here.
This interview covers a variety of topics and fun facts on all three organizations. AWCC, Bird TLC, and The Alaska Zoo are dedicated to providing quality care to their animals, as well as promoting conservation and appreciation of wildlife through education. Below is a summary of each non-profit organization:
“The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a sanctuary dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife through conservation, education, research, and quality animal care. AWCC takes in injured and orphaned animals year-round and provides them with spacious enclosures and quality animal care. Most of the animals that arrive at the AWCC become permanent residents and will always have a home here. The Center maintains over 200 acres of spacious habitats for animals to feel at home and display their natural “wild” behavior. Visitors may see brown bears cooling off in the water, a bull moose strutting, wood bison roaming on pastures and more.” – AWCC
“Since 1969, we have cared for orphaned and injured wildlife as the only zoo in Alaska. We are proud of how far we have come to care for wildlife in need and provide quality education and conservation programs. August of 2019 marked 50 years since the Alaska Zoo (then the Alaska Children’s Zoo) opened its doors to its first animals and visitors. While the zoo has increased in animal numbers and facility infrastructure over the decades, we are proud to remain true to our core mission of providing homes for animals who need them. We work closely with wildlife officials and other zoos to provide animal placements in good permanent homes on our naturally wooded grounds. We are a nonprofit organization receiving no city, state or federal funding for operations. We truly appreciate your support of our mission!” – The Alaska Zoo
“Bird Treatment and Learning Center (Bird TLC) began as a handful of dedicated volunteers operating under the guidance of James R. Scott, DVM, working out of Arctic Animal Hospital. Dr. Scott’s goal was to provide quality medical care for sick & injured wild birds. We became an independent 501(c)3 organization in 1988, with operations that included not only avian rehabilitation, but also science curriculum based, interactive education programs, as well as a non-releasable bird placement program and a flight center on a local Army base. We take in about 1000 injured birds annually from every part of our state including the remote Arctic regions, and our bird placement program serves wildlife education facilities throughout North America.” – Bird TLC
We hope you enjoy hearing more about these amazing organizations and their hard work in the name of Alaska’s wildlife!