Alaska Zoo Offers Surprise Yak Poop Souvenirs

Unique zoo merchandise aims to educate visitors about wildlife conservation.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:51pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen-style illustration of a bag of yak-flavored popcorn repeated in a grid pattern, using vibrant neon colors and heavy black outlines to create a modern pop art effect.The Alaska Zoo's quirky new Yak-flavored popcorn souvenir captures the playful spirit of the zoo's resident Himalayan bovines.Anchorage Today

The Alaska Zoo in Anchorage has started offering bags of yak feces as a unique souvenir item for visitors. The zoo says the unusual merchandise is part of an effort to educate the public about the importance of wildlife conservation and the role that even unconventional zoo animals play in the ecosystem.

Why it matters

The Alaska Zoo's decision to sell yak poop souvenirs reflects a growing trend among zoos and wildlife centers to find creative ways to engage visitors and raise awareness about conservation efforts. By embracing the quirky and unexpected, the zoo hopes to spark conversations about the vital role that all species play in maintaining a healthy environment.

The details

Each bag of yak poop sold at the Alaska Zoo's gift shop contains approximately 2 ounces of dried, odorless feces from the zoo's resident yaks. The zoo says the souvenirs are a sustainable byproduct of caring for the animals and that proceeds from sales will go towards funding conservation programs.

  • The Alaska Zoo began offering the yak poop souvenirs to visitors in March 2026.

The players

Alaska Zoo

A zoo located in Anchorage, Alaska that is home to a variety of northern wildlife species, including yaks.

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What they’re saying

“We want our visitors to leave with more than just photos - we want them to leave with a deeper appreciation for the natural world and how even the most unassuming creatures play a vital role.”

— Samantha Blankenship, Director of Education, Alaska Zoo

What’s next

The zoo plans to continue offering the yak poop souvenirs throughout the 2026 summer season and may expand the program to include other unique zoo animal byproducts in the future.

The takeaway

The Alaska Zoo's decision to sell yak poop souvenirs demonstrates how zoos are getting creative in finding ways to educate the public about conservation and the importance of all species, even the most unexpected ones, in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.