Alaska
Could Alaska once again be home to woolly mammoths? This reporter had to find out.
As far as we know, the last time a woolly mammoth roamed mainland Alaska was almost 12,000 years ago. And even if it sounds like a fairytale, some people think mammoths might once again stomp around in the far north.
Northern Journal reporter Nat Herz went from fairytale to rabbit hole recently, trying to unearth an understanding of how woolly mammoths might be “de-extincted,” as they say. And it all started with a calendar.
Herz joined Alaska Public Media’s Casey Grove to explain.
Listen:
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This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Casey Grove: OK, you went on a little journey here. Maybe not a little one. A long one.
Nat Herz: A mammoth one.
CG: A mammoth-sized journey. Tell me how this all went. How did you get into this?
NH: You know, every month I try to review the public calendars of the key state department commissioners, the agency heads, and I was looking at the Department of Fish and Game commissioner’s. And there was a four-hour meeting that was just labeled “woolly mammoth.” It was actually spelled wrong. It was spelled like “Wally” mammoth. And I was like, “What the… heck?” for your listeners. And so I made a call, and I was like, “What’s going on with this? Is this real?” Because I had heard some kind of rumblings and gotten an email a while back about maybe some mammoth resurrection-related stuff. And I was like, :”OK, four-hour meeting, Department of Fish and Game commissioner, is there anything here?” So I ended up doing what reporters do, which was I just filed a Freedom of Information request, and I asked for every email in the Fish and Game commissioner’s inbox that contained the word “mammoth.”
CG: And what did that reveal?
NH: As it turns out, you go back 10, 15, 20 years, I think there are, in the words of one of the emailers to the Department of Fish and Game commissioner, there are these gonzo scientists in Siberia that had this idea that basically, permafrost, if it thaws, there’s a ton of methane in it, which if it thaws, then flows up to the atmosphere and makes global warming worse. So what if we could keep the permafrost frozen and stop all of that greenhouse gas from going up into the atmosphere?
And the idea that these Russian gonzo scientists had was, “What if we release a menagerie of herbivores out onto the tundra?” And the theory here that has been somewhat borne out by their, you know, fairly limited research, is that these herbivores go out, they tromp around during the winter in the snow — which normally insulates the tundra and actually keeps it warmer — if you trample the snow on the tundra, it actually allows the tundra to stay colder during the harsh winter climate and for less permafrost thaw to happen.
So it turns out there’s a guy in Haines, Alaska, who made a documentary about the Russians, who now wants to basically recreate what they’re calling a “Pleistocene park” in Alaska and basically introduce a bunch of herbivores out onto the tundra, probably near Denali, and basically do a bunch of scientific research to see if they can stop permafrost thaw.
CG: Scientific research, and I’m sure a few tourists would be interested in at least taking their pictures, right? Now, how does that connect back to the emails that you found? And I guess there’s a company that’s involved in the United States?
NH: Yeah, so, to be clear, the Alaska Future Ecology Institute, which is the one that wants to set up this kind of herbivore park near Denali, they are mammoth agnostic. They’re like, “Yeah, mammoths, you know, would be great snow tramplers, but really, you know, we’re more in the mode of like, musk ox, reindeer, you know, conventional charismatic megafauna.”
At the same time, there is a bioscience company called Colossal that is sort of a union of a tech guy and a very highly regarded geneticist named George Church. They have created this company that is getting into what they call the “de-extinction” business. And what they want is to take the DNA from a frozen mammoth, which generally can be fairly intact, because mammoths, unlike dinosaurs died off not that long ago. They want to take that DNA, take some of the kind of key mammoth traits — the wooliness, the fattiness, the tusks — and basically splice those in to an elephant genome and basically resurrect the woolly mammoth and have it kicking around.
And one of the justifications for doing this is that if you take the mammoth and you put it out on the tundra, in one of these kind of tundra environments, it can help with this process of trampling down the snow and preserving the permafrost. And they are saying they’re gonna have their first mammoth-elephant hybrid, I think, by 2028, and they’re interested in putting it in Alaska.
CG: Right, so it’s like, they need a place to do this. And some of us might think that that’s bonkers, but they say that they can do it. How seriously is the state of Alaska taking that, though?
NH: I interviewed the Fish and Game commissioner, Doug Vincent-Lang, for this story, and I think he understands that these guys are legit, and this could be also useful technology for Alaska species that are at risk, potentially, like King salmon. And I think, you know, he’s not going to discount it. If and when they get to the point of having, you know, something that they’d be ready to put out on the tundra here, which would not be, I think, for a long time, because it’s going to take years and then it has to grow up and be ready to live without, you know, supervision and support, but I think they would probably entertain it.
One of the most fun parts of the correspondence that I got ahold of was, you did also have this company, the Chief Animal Officer from Colossal, send another email to Doug Vincent-Lang that said, “What if we also could, like, resurrect a Pleistocene wolf? And, you know, we’d want to have the predator-prey balance right, and so could we set the wolf out on the tundra and have it chasing the mammoths around.” And Doug Vincent-Lang had this, like, very deadpan, serious response where he was like, “Yeah, that seems like a lot. Let’s stay focused on the mammoth for now.”
CG: There was another kind of funny part, I thought, in that conversation with Doug Vincent-Lang, the Fish and Game commissioner, where he said something like, “You know, we’re not trying to do Jurassic Park here.” But then he did describe doing something like this, at least a pilot program, like, on an island, which sounded to me like Jurassic Park.
NH: Yeah, that is actually correct. There’s been a discussion here. It sounds like the the the Fish and Game commissioner has talked with the president of the tribal government on St. Paul Island, like way out in the Bering Sea, about, you know, would this be an appropriate place to put a mammoth where it, you know, could not escape and run rampant through the streets of Anchorage?
So, you know, again, like, I think it’s out there, but it’s definitely something that people are really talking about. And I think, you know, that is, like, the bottom line of this story is that it is an irresistible concept and an irresistible conversation, and people are captivated by this idea. It is the OG, original charismatic megafauna, is the woolly mammoth. And I just think it’s impossible for people to not get excited when they hear that this could happen. It sounds science fiction, but it may not actually be science fiction anymore, given the technology that we have access to. And I think, you know, both because it is just compelling stuff and because it is at least technologically plausible, this is stuff that people are really sincerely engaging with.
CG: And then, one last thing, you mentioned something like they’re four years out, they think from maybe actually creating this woolly mammoth-elephant hybrid. But Alaska is maybe not the only place that they’re looking at doing this, right? I mean, is this kind of like how cities compete for the Olympics? Are we competing for the for the first woolly mammoth?
NH: Yeah, that’s a great question. I was actually really upset by this. You know, it’s like, you sort of think about it, and you’re like, “OK, someone’s gonna resurrect a woolly mammoth, and they’ll eventually need a place to release it into the wild. Like, obviously, it’s going to be Alaska.” And when I interviewed the company’s chief executive, he was like, “Nope, sorry. You guys don’t have a monopoly on mammoth territory. They actually kind of roam far and wide. And we’ve been having great conversations with North Dakota and the state of Wyoming about, you know, could we put a mammoth there.” And so, as I wrote in my story, Wyoming and North Dakota, get off our lawns. These are our mammoths. Stay away.
Casey Grove is host of Alaska News Nightly, a general assignment reporter and an editor at Alaska Public Media. Reach him at cgrove@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Casey here.
WHEREAS, on June 3, 1942, six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, World War II arrived in Alaska when Dutch Harbor on Amaknak Island was bombed by Japanese – the first aerial attack by an enemy on the continental United States; and
WHEREAS, the Japanese pilots expected little resistance; but because of an intercepted message three weeks earlier, the installation was on high alert, and Navy and Marine personnel were prepared with anti-aircraft defenses; and
WHEREAS, encountering unexpected resistance at Dutch Harbor, installation, Japanese forces shifted their focus to the Margaret Bay Naval Barracks, where the attack claimed the lives of 25 servicemen; and
WHEREAS, following the initial attack on Dutch Harbor, Japanese forces launched additional assaults on Dutch Harbor, Adak, Kiska, and Attu, resulting in the Aleut people being evacuated and held in internment camps in Southeast Alaska for three years, through which many did not survive; and
WHEREAS, the brave soldiers of the United States Armed Forces and allied Canadian Forces fought valiantly for more than a year to reclaim the remaining Aleutian Islands. The battle of Attu stands as one of the most costly American assaults in the Pacific, with hundreds of servicemen making the ultimate sacrifice to liberate Alaska; and
WHEREAS, on the 84th anniversary of the bombing of Dutch Harbor, we remember and honor all who were affected by the attack, paying tribute both to the military personnel who served and died to defend our Nation and to the Aleut people who died while imprisoned.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim June 3, 2026, as:
Dutch Harbor Remembrance Day
in Alaska and encourage all Alaskans to join with the people of Dutch Harbor, Unalaska, and the Aleutian Islands to honor all who were lost in Alaska during World War II, and I order the Alaska State Flag to be flown at half-staff in remembrance of those who perished.
Dated: June 3, 2026
A plane belonging to the Alaska National Guard appears to have been damaged during operations connected to Operation Epic Fury as part of American military efforts against Iran, according to online reports. Defense officials have so far declined to confirm whether Alaska National Guard personnel or equipment are taking part in the campaign.
Last week, defense industry news outlet The War Zone published photos of a KC-135 Stratotanker transiting through a British airbase. In the pictures, made by photographer Andrew McKelvey, the rear bottom of the fuselage and wing stabilizers are “peppered with temporary shrapnel damage repairs‚“ according to The War Zone’s article. The plane also appears to be missing its refueling boom, the proboscis extending from under the tail to pump off fuel to other aircraft.
In the photographs, the Stratotanker’s tail number is visible, identifying the refueling plane as belonging to the Alaska Air National Guard’s 168th Wing, based at Eielson Air Force Base outside of Fairbanks. The wing’s mission includes aerial refueling. That’s the tactic of large planes unloading vast quantities of fuel to aircraft, ranging from fighter jets to rescue helicopters, in midair.
Pictures from a different photographer published last week by another blog, The Aviationist, show the same plane. The tail includes the letters “AK” painted above a white polar bear.
In addition to the photographs, the reporting from The War Zone is based on publicly available flight data and social media posts scraped from a variety of sources.
According to information from Flight Radar 24, the Stratotanker left Eielson on March 5, just days after the U.S. and Israeli militaries began bombing Iranian targets on Feb. 28. Through March, according to public flight records, the plane was based at Ben Gurion Airport southeast of Tel Aviv, where, according to The War Zone, dozens of American refueling aircraft were staged as part of Operation Epic Fury.
There are no public flight records connected to the Stratotanker through April and most of May, until it appeared to fly through England on the way to the United States at the end of last month.
It is not clear how many Alaska Air National Guard planes, personnel or units are currently deployed in connection to the war effort against Iran.
A spokesperson for the Alaska National Guard referred all questions about Operation Epic Fury to the U.S. Central Command.
A spokesperson for CENTCOM, headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, declined to answer questions on the record or provide any specific information about Alaska National Guard units deployed as part of ongoing military operations, citing the need to protect service members and operational security.
The Alaska National Guard has posted no informational releases or pictures connected to an overseas deployment during the last few months.
Much of Operation Epic Fury has been waged by military aircraft, and aerial refueling is critical to keeping planes supplied during long flights. A May 12 report from the Congressional Research Service composed of public damage reports to U.S. military aircraft noted that among the 42 records of damage or losses were seven KC-135 Stratotankers, though the findings were published before photos emerged of the Alaska-based plane. The report noted that the Defense Department “has not published a comprehensive assessment of combat losses” from Operation Epic Fury.
The tail number is associated with a Stratotanker manufactured in 1964, the year before Boeing ceased making them. All of the nearly 400 KC-135s currently in operation within the American military date back to that era of the Cold War.
The aircraft has the word “Tetlin” painted on the top of its tail. The name is an homage to the Interior Alaska village, one of several selected to honor longstanding bonds between military aviators and Alaska Native communities, according to photographs of a dedication ceremony posted by the Alaska National Guard last summer.
The 168th Wing currently has 12 Stratotankers attached to the unit. That number bumped up in April after a long campaign by Alaska Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan to allocate more tankers to the state’s portfolio given its vast geography and high number of advanced fighter jets.
- Alaska Airlines is opening its newest Lounge at Portland International Airport, featuring thoughtfully designed spaces with twice the square footage and seating of the current space
- The new Lounge reflects the airline’s appreciation for its loyal guests and comes as Alaska continues to expand its service in Portland, offering more flights and more options for guests
- The investment to modernize the Portland Lounge is part of Alaska’s growing portfolio to elevate its global guest experience and expand its Lounge footprint, including new spaces in Seattle, San Diego and Honolulu
PORTLAND, Ore., June 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Alaska Airlines is set to welcome guests to its newest Lounge at Portland International Airport (PDX) when it officially opens on June 4, underscoring its continued investment in premium travel and one of the carrier’s key West Coast hubs.
After more than two years of construction, the approximately 14,000-square-foot Lounge will welcome guests with a warm, thoughtfully designed Pacific Northwest aesthetic, featuring an inviting fireplace and a striking wooden Mt. Hood mural by artist Ben Butler. At twice the size of the current Portland Lounge, it offers more than 230 seats, including Alaska’s Signature Loungers, along with high, open ceilings that bring in natural light and views of PDX’s new terminal. Guests can relax, enjoy fresh, regionally inspired food, sip barista-crafted beverages or cocktails from West Coast partners, or take advantage of ample power plugs and privacy booths for calls and meetings.
“Portland guests have chosen Alaska for years and played an important role in our growth in the Pacific Northwest,” said Shane Jones, senior vice president of fleet, products and guest experience. “This new Lounge is our way of thanking them and a reflection of our growing portfolio of premium guest experiences. We look forward to opening our doors this week and welcoming guests with the signature hospitality and thoughtful touches Alaska is known for.”
Alaska is the largest carrier serving Portland, operating more flights than any other airline, including more than 100 daily departures. Portland is a critical hub in Alaska and Hawaiian’s network with expanding service to over 60 destinations across North America and beyond. This summer, Alaska will launch year-round service to Everett/Paine Field and Pasco–Tri-Cities, along with seasonal service to Jackson Hole. Last month, new service began to Baltimore, Bellingham, Idaho Falls, Philadelphia and St. Louis. By this fall, Alaska will offer 50% more seats in Portland than just two years ago, reflecting strong demand for travel and the airline’s continued investment in the market.
“Our strong partnership with Alaska has helped to elevate the new PDX as a world-class destination that showcases the Pacific Northwest and makes everyone feel at home,” said Chris Czarnecki, PDX business and properties director. “We’re thrilled their new PDX Lounge is here for the long-haul, offering travelers a stunning spot to relax, recharge, and experience a taste of our region.”
The nearly $18 million investment in the Portland Lounge is part of Alaska’s growing Lounge footprint and broader commitment to enhancing the guest experience as it expands globally. Building on this investment, Alaska just announced its plans to open a landmark, more than 41,000-square-foot Lounge in 2027. The Lounge, which will be located in Seattle – home to the airline’s main hub – will be the largest in its network and among the largest airline lounges in the country. The airline is also designing its first Lounge in San Diego along with a new, expanded Lounge in Honolulu, both slated for early 2028.
Alaska Airlines Lounge members can access eight premium Lounges across the Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines network, including its largest Lounge in Seattle and additional locations at its hubs in Anchorage, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Alaska Lounge+ membership unlocks access to all Alaska Lounges, plus nearly 90 partner Lounges worldwide, including select oneworld and partner Lounges. To learn more or sign up to become an Alaska Lounge member, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is Alaska Airlines opening at Portland International Airport?
A: Alaska Airlines is opening a newly redesigned Lounge at Portland International Airport (PDX) on June 4, 2026, offering a larger, more modern space with premium amenities, regional food and beverage options, and enhanced comfort for guests.
How big is the new Alaska Lounge in Portland?
A: The new Lounge is approximately 14,000 square feet—about twice the size of the previous Portland Lounge—and features more than 230 seats.
What amenities are available in the new Alaska Lounge at PDX?
A: Guests can enjoy:
- Barista-crafted coffee and specialty beverages
- West Coast-inspired cocktails
- Fresh, locally inspired food
- Signature Lounge seating and private booths
- Ample power outlets and workspaces
- Relaxation areas with premium finishes
Who can access Alaska Airlines Lounges?
A: Access is available to:
- Alaska Lounge members
- Alaska Lounge+ members
- Eligible First Class guests
- Eligible oneworld and partner airline passengers
What is the difference between Alaska Lounge and Lounge+ membership?
A: Alaska Lounge+ membership includes access to all Alaska Lounges plus nearly 90 partner Lounges worldwide, while standard Alaska Lounge membership provides access to all eight Alaska-operated Lounges.
Why is Portland important to Alaska Airlines?
A: Portland is one of Alaska Airlines’ key West Coast hubs, with more than 100 daily departures and nonstop service to over 60 destinations across North America. By this fall, Alaska will offer 50% more seats in Portland than just two years ago, reflecting strong demand for travel and the airline’s continued investment in the market.
How is Alaska Airlines expanding its Lounge network?
A: Alaska Airlines is investing in multiple new and expanded Lounges, including:
- A 41,000+ square feet landmark Lounge in Seattle opening in 2027
- A new Lounge in San Diego
- An expanded Lounge in Honolulu
How much did Alaska Airlines invest in the new Portland Lounge?
A: Alaska Airlines invested nearly $18 million in the new Portland Lounge as part of its broader investment in premium travel as the airline continues to grow globally.
About Alaska, Hawaiian and Horizon
Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group, and McGee Air Services is a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines. We are a global airline with hubs in Seattle, Honolulu, Portland, Anchorage, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. We deliver remarkable care as we fly our guests to more than 140 destinations throughout North America, Latin America, Asia, the Pacific and Europe. Guests can book travel at alaskaair.com and hawaiianairlines.com. Alaska and Hawaiian are members of the oneworld alliance. Members of our Atmos Rewards loyalty program can earn and redeem points with oneworld airlines and our additional global partners that serve over 1,000 worldwide destinations. Learn more about what’s happening at Alaska and Hawaiian at news.alaskaair.com. Alaska Air Group is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as “ALK.”
SOURCE Alaska Airlines
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