4-Legged animal found dead in Arm
On Tuesday, July 14, around 4 p.m. the Anchorage Fire Department received a report of a floating body off Beluga Point on Turnagain Arm, prompting a large emergency response. Three fire trucks, an emergency rescue team, an ambulance, a battalion chief, a State Park responder, and a helicopter were all seen speeding southbound down the Seward Highway.
The helicopter was first on the scene and flew over the purported body, about 200 yards out from the shoreline. The pilot confirmed that what was floating in the water was, in fact, not a body, but a four-legged animal. The helicopter pilot couldn’t get close enough to see what exactly the animal was, but it was dead and appeared white, the pilot reported. Perhaps a Dall Sheep or maybe a moose that looked white amidst the white-capped waves washing over it.
Now the question remains: How did the animal end up in the Arm? Dall Sheep hang around the cliffs opposite Beluga Point, so maybe one fell into the water. But that would mean crossing the busy Seward Highway and climbing over a guardrail towards a steep cliff by the railroad tracks.
Perhaps the animal was hit by a vehicle or train and then fell into the choppy water. Moose and bears have been known to swim across the Arm. Could this have been a case where an animal overestimated its swimming abilities and wasn’t able to complete the crossing?
Volunteers sought for Fungus Fair
Fungus Fair will be held Sept. 5, 6 and 7 this year and volunteers are needed. The Fun guy/Fun gal run will be held on Saturday, Sept. 5. There will be workshops and forays the entire weekend. If you have time to volunteer please email Kelly at KBandoch@FS.Fed.US or Jonnie at LazarusJV@muni.org or email LazarusJV@muni.org (783-8146).
Bird Creek open to salmon fishing
Bird Creek was opened to salmon fishing as of July 14. The creek is open from its mouth upstream 500 yards to an Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulatory marker. The bag and possession limit is three salmon per day and three in possession; all three may be silvers in the stocked fishery. King salmon fishing is closed for the season.
Pink and silver salmon have already entered the creek.