The center is located on about 200 acres (81 ha) at the head of Turnagain Arm and the entrance to Portage Valley, Milepost 79 of the Seward Highway, about 11 mi southeast of Girdwood.

[3] Animals at the center include timber wolves, Grizzly bears, black bears, Alaskan moose, red foxes, elk, muskoxen, sitka black tailed deer, Porcupine caribou, Canadian lynxes, bald eagles, great horned owls, wood bison, and porcupines.

[citation needed] Starting in 2003, the center has taken part in a program to reintroduce the wood bison back into Alaska after a 100-year absence.

[8] Other special guests to the center include Jungle Jack Hanna who filmed a few segments for his syndicated program.

In July 2010 the center's resident porcupine, "Snickers," gained worldwide publicity from video footage in which the friendly rodent appeared to behave like a puppy.