9 months ago
Alaska Sued Over Aerial Hunting of Bears to Protect Caribou Herd
Some people who care about animals are suing the state of Alaska.
They are angry because Alaska is allowing hunters to shoot bears from helicopters.
The state says they need to do this to help a special kind of reindeer, called caribou, have more babies and grow their population.
The state believes too many caribou are being eaten by bears.
But the animal lovers say Alaska isn't being careful enough about how many bears are being killed.
They worry that too many bears will be harmed.
They also think that other things, like sickness and not enough food for the caribou, are bigger problems than the bears.
The state says they are watching out for the bears too and won't let too many be harmed.
The animal lovers want a judge to stop the helicopter bear hunts, which are planned to start again in 2026.
Environmental groups have filed a lawsuit to stop Alaska's aerial bear hunting program.
The program is intended to protect a declining caribou herd by reducing bear predation.
Plaintiffs argue the plan inadequately considers impacts on bear populations and violates conservation laws.
State officials maintain the program is necessary for caribou recovery and does not endanger bear populations.
The lawsuit seeks to halt the program before its next planned hunting round in spring 2026.
- Who
- Environmental groups (Center for Biological Diversity and Alaska Wildlife Alliance) sued Alaska's wildlife authorities.
- What
- A lawsuit was filed seeking to halt a predator control plan involving aerial hunting of bears.
- Where
- Alaska, specifically in state district court in Anchorage and concerning an area of approximately 1,200 sq miles (environmentalists claim 40,000 sq miles).
- When
- The lawsuit was filed on Monday, following the approval of new regulations in July.
- Why
- Environmental groups argue the plan violates wildlife conservation provisions and fails to adequately account for bear population impacts, while state authorities claim it is necessary to protect a diminishing caribou herd.
Environmental Groups
Alaska Wildlife Authorities
Impact on Bear Populations
Environmental Groups
Accuse the Board of Game of reinstating the program without adequately accounting for how it will affect grizzly and black bear populations, violating wildlife conservation provisions of Alaska’s constitution. They believe the program maximizes protection of big-game species at the expense of bears and other predators. State that the number of bears in the region is less clear, citing a potential range between 2,000 and 7,000 grizzlies for the region based on outdated studies, and the department gave no black bear population estimates.
Alaska Wildlife Authorities
Deny that their efforts to protect the caribou endanger bear populations. State Fish and Game Commissioner Douglas Vincent-Lang said they are trying to rebuild the caribou herd but will not jeopardize the long-term sustainability of bears.
Primary Threats to Caribou Herd Recovery
Environmental Groups
Argue that disease and lack of food resources, worsened by climate change, are key factors in the caribou herd's decline, not bear predation.
Alaska Wildlife Authorities
Blame bear predation for diminishing the Mulchatna caribou population and thwarting herd recovery efforts.
Scope of the Predator Control Plan
Environmental Groups
Contend that the predator control plan applies to 40,000 sq miles adjoining wildlife refuges.
Alaska Wildlife Authorities
State that the bear control program is focused on an area of about 1,200 sq miles.
Key facts
- Plaintiffs
- Center for Biological Diversity and the Alaska Wildlife Alliance
- Defendants
- Douglas Vincent-Lang (Alaska Fish and Game Commissioner), Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and its Board of Game
- Bear Kill Count (since 2023)
- 175 grizzlies and five black bears
- Estimated Caribou Herd Size
- Fewer than 15,000
- Target Caribou Herd Size
- 30,000 to 80,000
- Area of Predator Control Plan (State Claim)
- Approximately 1,200 sq miles (3,100 sq km)
- Area of Predator Control Plan (Environmentalists Claim)
- 40,000 sq miles (104,000 sq km)
- Next Hunting Round
- Spring of 2026
Quotes
Douglas Vincent-Lang
State Fish and Game Commissioner
“We are trying to rebuild the caribou herd, but we’re not going to jeopardize long-term sustainability of bears in doing so.”
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Cooper Freeman
Alaska director of the Center for Biological Diversity
“The Department of Fish and Game wants to turn Alaska into a game farm and treat bears and wolves as disposable.”
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