'Smokey' the black bear

Description

His name is Smoky. An orphan, one of many brought to the Fortress of the Bear Sanctuary, Alaska between 2007 and 2018. Their mothers either shot in human conflict or killed in a car collision. Until 2003 Alaska had never had a bear sanctuary. Cubs were routinely killed due to the lack of a rehab program. It was an avid hunter, having observed bears in the wild for many years that came to see them as complex, intelligent individuals, there had to be a better way! Hunter turned compassionate conservationist, in 2003 Sitka’s abandoned pulp mill began transforming into a sanctuary, by 2007, only a few days after getting a permit the first cub arrived. Today, Fortress of the Bear is the only bear exclusive sanctuary in Alaska, providing life long care to orphaned cubs who cannot return to the wild.

Taken By

Simon Ager

Taken On

August 12, 2026

Tagged

fortressofhtebear black bear ban hunting fortess of the alaska canon fortressofthebear cangeotravel

Assignments

Wildlife