Wrangell-St. Elias is home to many species of wildlife, and contains one of the largest concentrations of Dall sheep in North America — some 13,000 sheep in more than 13 million acres of excellent habitat. Look for them along rocky ridges and mountainsides. Moose are often seen near willow bogs and lakes. In the fall, bears and other animals may be sighted near salmon spawning streams. Other species of large mammals include mountain goats, caribou, moose, brown/grizzly bear, black bear and two herds of transplanted bison. Opportunities to view animals from the roads are limited, due to dense brush and forest. The best spots for viewing wildlife are in alpine areas, above the tree line.

Herds of caribou feed on the lichen and low woody plants that abound in the Wrangells. Moose browse in sloughs and bogs in the coastal lowlands and in brushy areas, which also attract brown/grizzly bears. Black bears roam throughout the park. Bison were released in the Copper and Chitina River valleys in 1950 and 1962 respectively, and the herds remain separate today. Many rivers, streams, and lakes provide spawning grounds for salmon and other fish. The Copper River drainage and the Malaspina forelands are major flyways for migratory birds and include prime nesting sites for trumpeter swans.

Photo © Kennan Ward

The coastal areas of the park are habitat for marine mammals, including sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, porpoises and whales. Small mammals found in the Park and Preserve include lynx, wolverine, beaver, marten, porcupine, fox, wolves, marmots, river otters, and other small furbearing animals and rodents.

The Copper River Basin and Yakutat Bay areas are along major migratory routes for numerous bird species. The Park and Preserve provides wetland areas for nesting geese, trumpeter swans, ducks, and other waterfowl. Both golden and bald eagles nest within the park. Year-round species include ptarmigan, grouse, ravens and a variety of owl species.

Park waters are spawning areas for three types of salmon (red, silver and king) along with rainbow trout, lake trout, grayling, steelhead, Dolly Varden and burbot.

Grizzly bears are also called brown bears, and are found throughout the Park and Preserve. They are yellowish-brown to black and some have white-tipped hairs, giving them a grizzled appearance. The bears' height at the shoulders ranges from about 4.5 feet to six or seven feet, and they weigh between 300 and 1500 pounds. When standing they measure up to nine feet. They have a large hump (created by muscle mass) over their shoulders.

Grizzlies are omnivorous. Their diet varies by the season and includes grasses, roots, berries, nuts, insects, fish, rodents, and sometimes small (and large) mammals. Brown bears depend a great deal on salmon for food.

Brown bears can conceal themselves remarkably well in the low brush along hill sides. Bears are actively hunted throughout the region and tend to be shy around people. Although they will normally not attack a human, they will defend their young or their food if approached too closely. They have an excellent sense of smell, good hearing, and are extremely powerful. They are naturally curious, and caution should be taken when in their presence. Visitors planning to hike, birdwatch, or travel across country should get information before starting on how to travel though bear country, although most visitors to the region will never see a bear.

For information on how you should behave if you encouter a bear, see Sharing the Trail with Grizzlies.

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