Wildlife Wednesdays
2025/2026 Lecture Series
Join us on second Wednesdays from October-April for a wildlife talk in the Alaska Zoo Gateway Hall.
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
October 8, 2025
“McNeil River State Game Sanctuary: 58 Years of Bears Being Bears” by Wilson Puryear, Alaska Department of Fish and Game Technician, stationed at McNeil River Sanctuary
In the southwest corner of Cook Inlet lies McNeil River State Game Sanctuary. This crown jewel of Alaska is renowned for playing host to one of the great wildlife spectacles of our planet: one of the largest seasonal congregations of brown bears in the world. But aside from the number of bears, this special place is remarkable for another reason: its designation as a place where - aside from human safety - the needs of wildlife come first. Join Fish and Wildlife Technician Wilson Puryear to learn about the Sanctuary’s history, the ins and outs of its bear viewing program, and what to expect for those who may one day visit. Presenter Bio: Wilson Puryear is a Fish and Wildlife Technician with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Wildlife Conservation. He currently works as McNeil River State Game Sanctuary field staff during the summer months and as a bear and moose safety educator in the winter months. Prior to his work with ADF&G, he has worked as a commercial fisherman, and as animal care staff at both the Alaska Zoo and Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.
November 12, 2025
“Karelian Bear Dogs Help Protect Wildlife” by Nils J. Pedersen M.Sc., Director, Wind River Bear Institute
The Wind River Bear Institute is on a mission to advance the use of Wildlife K-9 dogs to reduce human-wildlife conflict and make the world safer for bears and people. Director, Nils J. Pedersen, of Fairbanks will present on our 30-year history of contributions to the world of non-lethal bear deterrence, including development of Bear Spray, principles of Bear Shepherding, and the creation of the Karelian Bear Dog Wildlife K-9. Wildlife K-9s are keystone to our approach to human-bear conflict management and Pedersen will have his Wildlife K-9 Team present at the talk for attendants to meet and discuss how these friendly and engaging dogs can be used to help their Handlers find bears and get them out of bad places, prevent conflicts with people, and reduce the need for lethal bear management practices. Presenter Bio: Nils J. Pedersen grew up with sled dogs in Fairbanks, Alaska. He understood the utility of working dogs for bear deterrence at a young age because of a photo that his grandpa showed him of one of his Greenland Husky dogs chasing a young polar bear away from camp. Pedersen began working with the WRBI in 2011 as the trainer and handler of “Soledad”. Together they have worked to address human-bear conflict issues with all three species of North American bear: brown, black, and polar bear. Pedersen completed a M.Sc. degree in Wildlife Biology and Conservation from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 2019. His research focused on human-grizzly bear conflict in the North Slope oilfields of Alaska and the use of Forward Looking Infrared-equipped drones for grizzly and polar bear den detection in the Arctic. Pedersen Directs the Wind River Bear Institute in Fairbanks, Alaska. In his spare time he guides for Arctic Dog Adventure Co., an ecotourism dog mushing company he founded with his partner Lisbet Norris.
No December Lecture
January 14, 2026
“Whooooo’s There? Owls of Alaska” by Ginamaria Smith and Great Horned Owl Archimedes, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Coordinator for the Hunter Information & Training Program
Join Ginamaria Smith and Archimedes the great-horned owl to discover some of the fascinating habits of owls, where they can be found in Alaska, and local owl calls. Lecture features a live owl presentation. Presenter Bio: Ginamaria Smith is the coordinator for the ADF&G Hunter Information & Training Program, focusing on firearm safety, outdoor education, and shooting ranges. Prior to this, Ginamaria worked as a wild bird rehabilitator and educator. Ginamaria received her MS in environmental education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and has been with ADF&G since 2012.
February 11, 2026
“Dall Sheep” - details coming soon.
March 11, 2026
“Bird Collisions” by Tamara zeller, outreach biologist, division of migratory bird management, u.s. Fish and wildlife service
Bird collisions with building windows are a top source of bird mortality and reducing these collisions has been identified as an important action to help halt and reverse declines of North American bird populations. Learn what species are most vulnerable to collisions and what you can do to make your home safe for birds. Presenter Bio: Tamara Zeller is an Outreach Biologist with the Division of Migratory Bird Management for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Anchorage, Alaska. She spends half of her time in the field surveying birds from airplanes and boats and the other half working with partners to communicate the of value birds and how people can help birds thrive. Though she loves all birds, she specializes in waterbirds, and leads projects related to loon conservation and management. When not working, she enjoys being outside with her dog, Ursa, and exploring the world through travel.
April 8, 2026
“Electric Fencing” - details coming soon.