Visit Sitka Magazine 2020-21 | Page 22

ACTIVITIES Sitka’s Sanctuaries Animal Rehabilitation the Alaska Raptor Center has been serving as a rehabilitation center, housing birds in need from across the state. FOR DECADES, sits Fortress of the Bear, a sanctuary that offers top care to Alaska’s rescued bears. JUST A FEW MILES FROM DOWNTOWN SITKA In Alaska, it’s illegal to release rescued bears back into the wild, so Fortress of the Bear provides a home for them in Sitka or at another high-quality wildlife center. Owners Les and Evy Kinnear, however, are working to change that law. Executive Director Jennifer Cross explains, “First and foremost, the Alaska Raptor Center is an avian hospital and the only full-service avian hospital in Alaska.” Their mission is to treat bald eagles and other birds for release back into the wild, to educate Les explains, “The long-term goal is to rehabilitate and release bears the public on raptors and conservation, and to into the wild. They’d be raised in a wild enclosure to learn social skills further bald eagle research. with one another until they’re strong and old enough to be released.” The Kinnears worked for five years to prove they could provide the proper care and facilities to obtain the needed permit to house rescued bears. Just days after receiving their permit, they welcomed their first two orphaned bear cubs. The community also contributes to the bears’ wellbeing by donating produce, high-quality dog food, fish, and leftover wild game. Additionally, hatcheries provide fresh salmon for the bears to catch in their ponds. The idea began in 1980 when two Sitkans helped an injured bald eagle. From there, a group began treating eagles in their garages and backyards until a small shed was implemented at Sheldon Jackson College. The sanctuary has since moved to its current location, and in 2020, it will celebrate its 40th year anniversary. Though the operation has grown since its Today, the bear sanctuary offers visitors an up-close experience with three black bears and six Alaska coastal brown bears from with ground level windows and a viewing platform; the new visitor center also provides educational talks about these magnificent beasts. conception, the local community continues to play a key role in the success of the center. Jennifer explains, “Alaska Seaplanes and Alaska Airlines will transport the birds for free to us from anywhere in the state. Locals donate game from their freezers, and businesses contribute items for our annual fundraiser auction.” Visitors can watch bald eagles soar around the Flight Training Center and feast on locally sourced fish, or say hello to the 25 Raptors in Residence who, due to health reasons, call the Raptor Center their forever home. In addition, guests can wander the on-site, quarter-mile trail to experience the diverse Southeast Alaska habitat in the form of marshy muskeg, temperate rainforest, and a river system with salmon running upstream to spawn. Do » Alaska Raptor Center alaskaraptor.org / Fortress of the Bear fortressofthebear.org / Sitka Sound Science Center sitkascience.org Trumpeter swans V I S I T S I T K A M AG A Z I N E 20 V I S I T S I T K A .O R G V I S I T S I T KA M AG A Z I N E 21 V I S I T S I T KA .O R G