Its lands include towering mountains, broad valleys, misty fjords, tundra, and glacial lakes. Fourteen major volcanoes are located on the refuge lands including nine that are active. Sea lions, seabirds, and waterfowl use the coastal areas. Bald eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls nest on the rock pinnacles and spires along the coast. The tundra lowlands are host to caribou, moose, brown bear, wolves, tundra swans, and other waterfowl.
Brown bear use nearly all the refuge lands from mountain tops to the coast.
These awe-inspiring bears symbolize the wildness of Alaska. They roam the tundra searching for roots, berries, ground squirrels, and other burrowing animals when salmon are not available. About 25 percent of the brown bear harvested in Alaska are taken from these two refuges.