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Illuminating presentations on wildlife topics oriented for zoo patrons of all ages!
Wildlife Diaries are every Tuesday in June, July and August, starting at 7pm on the coffee shop
lawn at the Alaska Zoo. Presentations are FREE with paid admission into the zoo!
Date
June 2
June 2015 Topics & Presenters
The Bear Essentials of Painting: Identifying Bear Tracks with Brushes. Get a little wild
joining artist, Steve Cross, in the creation of bear paintings made of beer, wine, whiskey and coffee.
June 9 Animal Stories from Anchorage to the Arctic. For three decades nature writer and author,
Bill Sherwonit, has written about his memorable– and in some instances, life-changing– encounters
with Alaska’s wild critters, from wolverines and grizzlies to wood frogs and chickadees. Listen as
he shares some of his amazing experiences– and the surprising things he’s learned about animals–
that are recounted in his newest book, Animal Stories: Encounters with Alaska’s Wildlife.
June 16 Raven Riddles. Alaska Zoo Educator, Abby Kerney, unveils the unique mental abilities that make
the common raven, with uncommon and surprising behaviors, a successful and clever survivor.
Discover a new appreciation for ravens as you learn about their social behavior and amazing brain!
June 23 Mushing Alaska: Fiercely Incredible Stories. Aliy Zirkle has traveled across Alaska by dog
team for over 20 years. It has been these amazing lands and the wildlife that calls them home that
have captured her heart. But, the last few years, the extreme arctic weather conditions- incredible
cold and fierce winds- have made traveling by dog team incredibly challenging. Come hear Aliy's
stories about staying warm and enduring blizzard conditions as she dog mushes across Alaska.
June 30 The Elusive Wolverine. You may know what a wolverine is, but how much do you really know
about one of Alaska’s most secretive and tenacious creatures? Join Alaska Zoo Keeper, Christin
Groth, and Curator, Shannon Jensen, as they help you gain a greater knowledge about wolverines,
and what it takes to obtain and keep them at the Alaska Zoo.
Photos by John Gomes
July 7
July 14
July 21
July 28
The Searching Arms of Foraging Octopus by Alaska Zoo Educator, Nathan Hollenbeck
Islands of Fire by Alaska Zoo Keeper, Tim Lescher
Darwin’s Islands by Alaska Zoo Keeper, Zach Shoemaker
Snow Leopards: Hidden Treasure of the Central Asian Mountains by Alaska Zoo Keeper, Thomas
“Smitty” Smith
August 4
August 11
August 18
August 25
The Cook Inlet Beluga Population &What You Can Do to Help by Alaska Zoo Educator, Erin Leighton
Prickly Porcupines by Alaska Zoo Educator, DeAnna Thoma
Up the Creek with an Easier Paddle by Alaska Zoo Executive Director, Patrick Lampi
Majesty in Nature: A Photo & Video Exploration of the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary &
its Wild Inhabitants by Alaska Zoo Education Director, Stephanie Hartman
Please also join the Alaska Zoo every Friday in June, July and August for Friday Night Music!
For more Wildlife Diaries information, contact Alaska Zoo Education Director, Stephanie Hartman, at (907)341-6463 or slhartman@alaskazoo.org.
Wildlife Diaries are sponsored by ConocoPhillips and the Anchorage Daily News.