Epic encounters with moose and bears often come to mind for Alaska wildlife viewing, but don’t forget the woolly mammoth descendant still roaming the 49th state. Found in several Alaska regions, musk oxen can reach 800 pounds.
After disappearing from the state in the 1920s, musk oxen were brought to Alaska from Greenland. The population slowly thrived and is now estimated at 4,000. Look for the furry, horned behemoths in the wild at Gates of the Arctic National Park and Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, or visit them at the Large Animal Research Station and Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.
– Ashleigh Ebert, The Alaska 100