The 'Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge' is a wilderness area in the
Kodiak Archipelago in southern
Alaska in the
United States.
The Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge includes the southwestern two-thirds of
Kodiak Island, Uganik Island, the Red Peaks area of
Afognak Island and all of Ban Island in the
archipelago. It encompasses about 7,700 km² (3,000 sq miles).
The refuge contains 7 major rivers and about 100 streams. It is a
spawning ground for all six species of
Pacific Ocean salmon,
trout and several other
fish species, as well as a nesting ground for 250 species of bird, many of which feed on salmon. The refuge only has six native species of
mammals:
Kodiak brown bear,
red fox,
river otter,
ermine,
little brown bat and
tundra vole. The non-native mammals
Sitka deer,
mountain goat,
snowshoe hare and
beaver were introduced to the archipelago between the
1920s and
1950s and are now hunted and trapped.
The climate of the refuge is that of southern Alaska, mild and rainy. Many areas in the refuge are densely forested with
Sitka Spruce at lower elevations. There are
grasslands in drier areas and at higher elevations. The refuge contains several small
glaciers.
The refuge has no road access from outside and contains no roads.
External link
★ Official site:
Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge