Wildlife Wednesdays

2024/2025 Lecture Series

Join us on second Wednesdays from October-April for a wildlife talk in the Alaska Zoo Gateway Hall.

New this season: We will stream the lectures on Facebook Live! Be sure you follow us on Facebook.

We are pleased to host the Wildlife Wednesdays Free Science Lecture Series at the Alaska Zoo Gateway Hall! Stay warm and enrich your knowledge of Alaska's wildlife. Join us this winter on select second Wednesdays from October through April in the Alaska Zoo Gateway Hall. Each talk begins at 7pm and covers a topic focused on wildlife of the Great Land - Alaska. The talks are approximately 45 minutes with questions and answers. Lectures are FREE to the public. Free refreshments available. ASL interpretation is available upon request in advance, reach out to us here if you would like to have an interpreter present (several days notice appreciated!).

Lecture Schedule

10/09: “Pathways to the Lake Iliamna Monster”

Come listen to Bruce Wright describe the links and pathways of energy and toxins that weave a picture of interacting predators and prey. The characters are Alexandrium, a single-cell microscopic marine dinoflagellate that produces 50+ neurotoxins that have killed many Alaskans, wolves and their leavings, sticklebacks, and the Lake Iliamna Monster. Conger up your own story and compare what Bruce has learned since his science work began at Alaska Department of Fish and Game in 1978.

Next Lecture…

11/13: “Hemisphere Hoppers: Alaska’s Lesser Yellowlegs Project”

Every year, dozens of shorebird species raise their chicks in Alaska before setting off for the winter on some of the longest migrations in the world. Join the Threatened, Endangered, and Diversity Program this November to learn about these incredible birds and spotlight the Lesser Yellowlegs. Follow this small bird on its incredible migration from South America to Alaska and learn about their ecology and the work being done to investigate their population declines. Join Alaska Department of Fish and Game Wildlife Biologist Arin Underwood as she leads this this discussion.

12/11: “How Many Moose are in Anchorage? – Results from the Anchorage Moose Survey”

Join Wildlife Biologist Dave Saalfeld, to learn how Anchorage residents helped biologists estimate the number of moose in Anchorage. For five years (2017 – 2021), the Alaska Department of Fish and Game recruited residents to help study moose populations in the Anchorage Bowl. Utilizing a novel technique in which the public reported moose sightings and DNA sampling, biologist were able to estimate the survival rates, movement patterns, relatedness, and population size of Anchorage moose.

01/08: “Marine Mammal Rehabilitation at the Alaska SeaLife Center, 26 years of Amazing Patients”

In 1998 the Alaska SeaLife Center opened its doors in Seward.  In addition to conducting marine life research and education programs, the SeaLife Center is the only facility in the state permitted to rehabilitate marine mammals.  Join staff from the Wildlife Response Department to learn about their work and the amazing Alaskan animals that have been patients over the years.

02/12: “Canada lynx population dynamics in an urban environment”

Did you know that Canada lynx live in the back yards of Anchorage residents? Join Wildlife Biologist Kiana Young to learn about these incredible animals and the factors that affect their survival in this urban environment. Biologists from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game have been capturing and collaring Canada lynx on the Anchorage Hillside and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson for the past five years. With this information they have gained have a better understanding of how these lynx move and how their survival compares to populations in more natural environments.

03/12: “Bear Research in Alaska”

Join Alaska Department Fish and Game Wildlife Physiologist Sean Farley, PhD The talk will cover two aspects of bear ecology:  First will be a synopsis of current Kenai brown bear research, then followed by a discussion on bear attacks in Alaska and how ADFG response (lethal vs non-lethal) is informed by research and data collected from the attack.  

04/09 “Cook Inlet Belugas: The Endangered Whales in Your Backyard”

With only ~330 individuals left, Cook Inlet belugas are one of the country's most endangered marine mammals. These whales live year-round in Cook Inlet, providing a unique opportunity for Alaskans and visitors alike to view this rare population. While their numbers have declined 80% since the 1970s, the most recent survey suggests that their population may be stabilizing. Join Dr. Jill Seymour, NOAA Fisheries' Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Recovery Coordinator, to learn more about the whales in your backyard and how you can help them recover.

For more information on this and other Alaska Zoo Education programs, please contact Rich Capitan (Zoo Education Director) at (907) 341-6463 or education@alaskazoo.org.