Event: United States

Big Game Wildlife Center

When:	Daily
Where:	Big Game Wildlife Center
Costs:	US$5; concessions US$3

Certainly the most isolated state of America, Alaska is famous most of all for its wilderness. However, remoteness has its benefits as land untouched by humans is home to a collection of fantastic wildlife. The Big Game Wildlife Center is one the finest parks in which to view the creatures.

Ostensibly, the park on the shores of Turnagain Arm is just a vast open-air zoo, but that belies the real reason behind its creation, for the centre is primarily a conservation project and the result of a hobby that exploded into an obsession. The owner began raising buffalo and elk in 1984 and the park's reputation grew to the extent that the state authorities began placing other wild creatures into the centre's care.

It was in 1993 that the owner realised they had unwittingly created something special and therefore opened to the public. Nowadays, moose, bear, caribou, musk-ox, buffalo, eagles, elk and black-tailed deer can be seen roaming freely through the lush Alaskan pastures, with stunning mountains creating the idyllic natural scene.

The owners allow visitors to drive and walk through the park at their own leisure.