We started by taking the “only”
road out of Sitka to the south as the exhibits we wanted to see were
all on that road. Different maps showed those three places at
different locations, so we weren't quite sure what we would find when
we got out on the road.
As it was we saw the Whale Park first
and we sailed right by it, not expecting it to come up first. So we
kept driving and drove past the Fortress of the Bear. We were looking
for the Alaska Raptor Rehabilitation Center and ended up driving out
to the end of the road. We found a cannery there and lots of road
construction, involving waiting for some time. We never did find the
raptor center, so we turned around and headed back.
We stopped at the “Fortress of the
Bear” which is a bear habitat for 
orphaned bears. Three bears in
one enclosure are all siblings. There are two on the other side which
I think are siblings as well. In Alaska, if a mother bear is
destroyed for some reason or dies (as the mother of the three did)
from eating trash, the cubs younger than three years old are normally
destroyed. They do not believe these young bears would be able to
survive on their own. It seems cruel to me and apparently to the man
who found the three orphaned cubs because he took them and opened up
this bear sanctuary. It is an 
ongoing project and it definitely needs
work, but the bears are well cared for and interact with the
employees of the park. They have a large space and there are plans in
increase the space and provide a more natural habitat for them, but
they will never be released to the wild. Also on the grounds were
four sled dogs. They were orphaned as well when very young and the
owner hand fed them all to save them. They are still very young and
will be eventually trained to pull sleds.
We continued back toward town and
stopped briefly at the Whale Park. This park has a couple viewing
platforms down on the water where at certain times of the year you
can watch whales, primarily humpbacks, in the bay. The viewing
platforms were down some steps, at least a couple thousand, so I
didn't venture down there. I didn't see any signs of whales out there
anyway. If I had, I would have made the effort.
So then we were on a quest to find the
raptor center. It was actually 
IN TOWN! There was no signage on the
road, but if you looked down every road along the way, you could see
the sign on the actual road to the center. Whew. I mentioned to the
staff when we got there that there was no signage on the main road
out of town and they looked at me like I had three horns. At any rate,
we did find the center and it was pretty cool. This is a place where
sick and injured raptors, primarily eagles but there are also hawks,
owls, etc., are cared for. If they are sufficiently rehabilitated,
they are released back into the wild, but many will not be able to
and will spend their years in this center. This is not a bad place.
They are well fed and have a variety of environments where they can
live. In one area, it is actually an open woods which has screen
around it, but open at the top. Birds that can no longer fly are
placed in this very natural habitat where they can continue to
experience life.
In the flight room are birds that have
been treated and are starting to try to fly once again. Some had
amputations due to gunshot wounds, others had broken bones set, etc.
One had a severe head 
injury, but was now able to stand. . . not fly
yet. . . but he is improving. One huge female had a nasty beak
deformity which was genetic, but she would never be able to take game
normally. They feed her very small bits of food which she can handle.
About 40% of the birds they treat are released back to the wild.
Others live their lives in dignity with whatever care they need.
These birds were all beautiful and it is good to see that they are
getting the care they need.
We drove on back to the grocery and
shopped for my birthday dinner. I am a steak person and I wanted a
nice steak. We have been unimpressed with the restaurant food. . . it
is expensive and mostly fried, so I got a nice rib eye for dinner. We
bought shrimp for an appetizer and salad. So we really had a feast
back at the camp.
Before we settled in for the night,
however, we took a tour of “Old Sitka” which is the originally
site of the town. There was a struggle between the natives and the
Russians and eventally the town was burned, so the town has relocated
to its present location.
We need to check in for the ferry at
6:15 in the morning, so we set three alarms and went to bed early.
LOL
Till next time. . .
Dale
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