Known to the Tlingit Indians as "Fortress
of Bears", Admiralty Island has one of the highest
concentrations of brown bears in Alaska. An estimated
1500 to 1700 bears call the island home, or about one
per square mile. In addition to the Brown Bears, Red
Squirrels, Mice, Mink, River Otters, and Sitka
Black-Tailed Deer inhabit the forests.
The forests are a haven for Bald Eagles, Great Horned
Owls, Ravens, and many other birds. The shoreline and
intertidal areas support beds of kelp, mussels and crabs
which provide food for the Great Blue Heron, Western
Sandpipers, and many types of gulls and ducks. The
waters around Point Retreat abound with Stellar Sea
Lions, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seals, Dall's Porpoise,
Humpback Whales, and Killer Whales. |