The group also spotted an exceptional number of species.
Wildlife
Scientists and townspeople rescued 2 orcas trapped in a Southeast Alaska lake
The killer whales were in danger of starving, and they couldn’t get out on their own. It took a team of scientists and nearly half of Coffman Cove to save them.
Avian influenza death of Alaska polar bear is a global first and a sign of the virus’ persistence
The highly pathogenic influenza that has already killed vast numbers of birds and numerous mammals continues to circulate in the world’s wild populations.
Western Arctic Caribou Herd population decline continues
What was once the largest caribou herd in Alaska has shrunk nearly 70% in twenty years, but it is not the only herd experiencing dramatic drops.
Rare fin whale found dead near Kodiak
It’s unclear how it died, but the whale was in remarkably poor health.
From Alaska outlaw to Oregon transplant, zoo welcomes captured son of Grubby the opossum
Homer’s journey to Portland covered three states and involved a monthslong search for loose opossums.
How Alaska wildlife officials saved a humpback whale found ‘hogtied’ to a 300-pound crab pot
A pair of residents first spotted the whale on Oct. 10 off the coast of Gustavus, Alaska.
These American birds and dozens more will be renamed, to remove human monikers
The American Ornithological Society has vowed to change the English names of all bird species currently named after people, along with any other bird names deemed offensive or exclusionary.
Conservation group plans to sue federal government over deaths of orcas in trawl nets
This follows a NOAA report that said 10 orcas were hauled up in trawl nets over the last year, nine of which died.
Sitka dog, 13, comes home after 65 days lost in the woods
The same dog previously survived getting trapped in a truck that was crushed during Sitka’s deadly 2015 landslides.