Denali's newest employees are three weeks old
And they're already working the camera.
Five Alaskan husky puppies at Denali National Park have mastered their first job skill: looking absolutely irresistible on steam. Born just three weeks ago on May 3, the "Weather Litter" — Storm, Squall, Graupel, Dew, and Fog — are now starring in their own Puppy Cam, giving viewers around the world a front-row seat to the daily chaos of feeding time at 11:45 AM and 4:45 PM Alaska time.
The weather-themed names aren't just cute — they honor a century-long partnership between Denali's mushing rangers and the National Weather Service, where sled dog teams have collected and shared weather data across Alaska's vast wilderness. It's a reminder that these aren't just adorable distractions from your workday; they're part of a working lineage that's been essential to park operations for over 100 years.
What makes Denali's sled dog program unique is its distinction as the only kennel within the federal government and the sole sled dog operation in the National Park Service. While other parks rely on snowmobiles and helicopters, Denali's rangers still depend on these four-legged partners to patrol the wilderness during Alaska's brutal winters, when temperatures can drop to -40°F and mechanical equipment becomes unreliable.
The breeding program is impressively intentional. Merlyn, the proud mother who's known for her toothy grins and leadership skills, was selected for her sweet disposition and team dynamics. The father, Drumlin, comes from respected kennel stock north of the park. Together, they're designed to produce puppies with the physical traits needed for Alaska's conditions — long legs for deep snow, compact paws that resist ice buildup, and robust coats for warmth — plus the personality traits that matter just as much: tenacity, a love for pulling, and the social skills to handle thousands of summer visitors.
It's conservation through working partnership, where these dogs aren't just preserving wilderness access for rangers, but maintaining a cultural tradition that predates the park itself. And while retired sled dogs are available for adoption, watching five weather-named furballs tumble around their kennel via webcam might be the closest most of us need to get to Alaska's working dog life.
The live Puppy Cam is available daily, made possible through Denali's partnership with Alaska Geographic.