World's Wildest City: Anchorage Season 1 Episode 1 City of Dogs

In the premiere episode of World's Wildest City: Anchorage, viewers are introduced to the unique urban wildlife that calls Alaska's largest city home. Titled City of Dogs, the episode focuses on the city's thriving population of feral canines and the humans who are working to manage their presence.

Anchorage is home to approximately 2500 feral dogs - a significant number given the city's total population of just over 290,000. The origin of these dogs is varied, with some being abandoned pets and others descended from sled dogs that were set loose when their owners could no longer afford to care for them.

The episode follows a team of animal control officers tasked with managing Anchorage's feral dog population. The officers use a combination of humane traps and tranquilizer guns to capture the dogs, which are then sterilized and vaccinated before being released back into the wild. The program has been successful in reducing the number of feral dogs in Anchorage, with the current population estimated to be less than half of what it was a decade ago.

Viewers also meet a group of volunteers who work to care for Anchorage's feral dogs. These animal lovers regularly leave food and water out for the dogs and even build shelter for them during the harsh Alaskan winters. The volunteers are passionate about the importance of caring for these animals, which they see as integral parts of the city's ecosystem.

But not everyone is on board with the idea of feral dogs roaming Anchorage's streets. Some residents complain of destroyed property and aggressive behavior from the animals. The episode features interviews with locals on both sides of the issue, highlighting the complex and often emotional debate that surrounds the management of feral dog populations.

In addition to the feral dogs, Anchorage is also home to a variety of other urban wildlife. Moose, bears, and even lynx are known to wander the city's streets, leading to frequent encounters with humans. The episode showcases some of these interactions, giving viewers a glimpse of what it's like to live in a city that's more akin to a wilderness.

World's Wildest City: Anchorage season 1 episode 1 offers a fascinating look at the unique wildlife that calls Alaska's largest city home. The episode balances the complex issues surrounding feral dog populations with stunning footage of the city's other inhabitants, making for a compelling and educational viewing experience.