Fortress of the Bear began with one person's realization that Alaska's bears needed a better chance at life. Our founder, once an avid hunter and wilderness guide, spent years observing bears in the wild and came to see them as intelligent, complex individuals. When he learned that orphaned bear cubs in Alaska were routinely killed due to the lack of a rehabilitation program, he knew there had to be another way.

The idea that compassion and conservation could coexist became the foundation of Fortress of the Bear. In 2003, a determined individual began transforming Sitka's abandoned pulp mill clarifier tanks into safe, naturalistic habitats for rescued bears. By 2007, the sanctuary received its first permit, and only days later, its first orphaned cub arrived.

Today, Fortress of the Bear is the only bear-exclusive sanctuary in Alaska. We provide lifelong care for orphaned bears that cannot return to the wild, while also serving as a powerful educational resource for visitors from around the world. Our resident bears are ambassadors for their species, helping people understand bear behavior, biology, and the delicate balance between humans and wildlife. 

Through guided tours, outreach, and partnerships with wildlife organizations, Fortress of the Bear promotes awareness and inspires stewardship. Our mission is to reduce human-bear conflict, prevent future orphaning of cubs, and create a more harmonious relationship between people and the wild places we share.

At its heart, Fortress of the Bear is a story of transformation, of people, of place, and of purpose. What began as a hunter's change of heart has become a living testament to empathy, education, and the enduring spirit of Alaska’s bears. 

Bienvenido a Fortaleza del Oso!
Este es un santuario de osos.
Los osos aquí fueron huérfanos, y habrían sido asesinados.
Pero rescatamos a los osos. Y les dio un hogar.

Bienvenue à la forteresse de l'ours!
C'est un sanctuaire d'ours.
Les ours ici étaient orphelins et devaient être tués.
Mais nous avons sauvé les ours. Et leur a donné une maison.
 

Maligayang pagdating sa Fortress of the Bear!
Ito ay isang santuwaryo na oso.
Ang mga oso ay mga ulila. Sila ay halos pinatay.
Ngunit naligtas namin ang mga bear. At binigyan sila ng bahay.


Willkommen in der Festung des Bären!
Dies ist ein Bärenheiligtum.
Die Bären hier waren verwaist. Sie wurden fast getötet.
Aber wir haben die Bären gerettet. Und gab ihnen ein Zuhause.
 

Benvenuti nella Fortezza dell'Orso!
Questo è un rifugio per gli orsi.
Gli orsi qui erano rimasti orfani. Sono stati quasi uccisi.
Ma abbiamo salvato gli orsi. E dato loro una casa.



добро пожаловать в крепость медведей!
Это медвежье святилище.
Медведи здесь остались сиротами и были бы убиты.
Но мы спасли медведей. И дал им дом.
 

 مرحبا بكم في قلعة الدب! هذا هو مأوى الدب. الدببة هنا تيتموا ، وكانوا سيقتلون. لكننا أنقذنا الدببة. وأعطاهم منزلاً.   

곰의 요새에 오신 것을 환영합니다! 이것은 곰 보호 구역입니다. 여기의 곰은 고아였습니다. 그들은 살해되었을 것이다. 그러나 우리는 곰들을 구출했습니다. 그리고 그들에게 집을주었습니다.  

欢迎来到熊堡垒！ 这是一个熊保护区。 这里的熊是孤儿。他们几乎被杀了。 但是我们救出了熊。并给了他们一个家。

熊の要塞へようこそ！
これはクマの聖域です。
クマは孤児です。彼らはほとんど殺されました。
しかし、我々はクマを救出した。そして彼らに家を与えた。