Mike the puppy is seen at Denali National Park and Preserve. (Photo courtesy National Park Service)

Mike the puppy is seen at Denali National Park and Preserve. (Photo courtesy National Park Service)

Pups get the spotlight

Denali national park kennels set up “PuppyCam” to follow new additions

The Denali National Park and Preserve kennels just got a whole lot cuter.

The park welcomed five new sled dog puppies into the kennels last week and set up a live PuppyCam so canine-lovers can watch the little ones socialize with park visitors. The livecast usually happens every year, as long as the park has a litter and the proper resources to show off the pups.

Sharon Stiteler, the public affairs officer at the park, said this year is particularly special for the kennel, as it’s celebrating its 100th year in operation.

“That’s a big milestone for the park,” she said.

This year’s litter is named after the first Denali sled dogs in honor of the centennial: Bos’n, Skipper, Dynamite, Mike and Rowdy. The pups were born on June 18 to Healy sled dog Olive and Denali lead dog Steward.

Stiteler said the PuppyCam is a good way to introduce the public to the youngest members of the National Park Service team.

“We like to share our puppies and the kennel’s history with the public,” she said.

There are currently 29 adult dogs at the park that help park service staff in a variety of ways, and contribute to the cultural tradition of Alaska sled dogs, Stiteler said.

Primarily, these dogs haul equipment for research teams and other crews in the winter, she said. More than 2 million acres in Denali National Park and Preserve are designated as wilderness lands, which prohibits motorized vehicles. She said the dog teams are helping the park in the best interest of the land.

“They are an essential part of how Denali functions in the winter time,” Stiteler said.

According to a press release from the park, Denali has been the only branch of the National Park Service to have a sled dog kennel.

Tune into the PuppyCam on the Denali webcam page on the NPS website.

The kennels are open to in-person visitors at Denali National Park daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Free sled dog programs are also offered at the park at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. daily.

Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.

Mike the puppy is seen with his mom, Olive, at Denali National Park and Preserve. (Photo courtesy National Park Service)

Mike the puppy is seen with his mom, Olive, at Denali National Park and Preserve. (Photo courtesy National Park Service)

More in News

The deadline for the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend, which comes from the fund managed by the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, is coming up fast, landing on March 31, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
PFD application deadline is Friday

Today is the deadline for Alaskans to file for their 2022 Alaska… Continue reading

Jonathan Parducho, a pharmacist, removes a tray of vials of of the Jynneos vaccine for monkeypox from a box containing 20 doses, in the vaccine hub at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital on Friday, July 29, 2022, in San Francisco. (Lea Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Only 5 cases of mpox detected in Alaska

An epidemiology bulletin released by the State Department of Health on Wednesday… Continue reading

Owners Suwannasa Piwon and Phatcharin Apaipak sit for a photo at the new location of their Siam Noodles and Food in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo provided by Siam Noodles and Food)
Siam Noodles and Food to hold Grand Opening of new location

Siam Noodles and Food will open in its new location next weekend,… Continue reading

Signs direct visitors at Seward City Hall on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Seward, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Seward mulls sale of electric utility to HEA

Voters will get the final say during a special election on May 2

A spectator throws a ball lost in the snow back down to Bridger Beck during a soccer game at Ed Hollier Field in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, March 30, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Clear it, and they will come

The Kardinals boys soccer team played and won their first match Thursday… Continue reading

The 11th Annual Alaskans Choose Respect Awareness Event proceeds down Frontage Road in Kenai, Alaska on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaskans Choose Respect returns, LeeShore Center focuses on prevention

Nearly 40 people gathered and walked together down Frontage Road from Leif… Continue reading

Alaska Gubernatorial candidate Charlie Pierce speaks at a campaign event at Paradisos restaurant in Kenai on Saturday, March 5, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough assembly to discuss Pierce harassment lawsuit

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly will meet Tuesday in executive session to… Continue reading

The Kenai Peninsula Borough administration building is seen on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough looks to mitigate flooding around Big Eddy Road

The Kenai Peninsula Borough wants to better mitigate flooding around Big Eddy… Continue reading

The Homer Spit is evacuated during the July 28 tsunami warning at about 10:50 p.m. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
Tsunami warning test scheduled for Wednesday morning

The National Weather Service will conduct a statewide test of the tsunami… Continue reading

Most Read