Agents can kill bears from the air to protect Alaska caribou, judge says
Summary
A judge in Alaska has allowed wildlife agents to continue killing black and brown bears, including from helicopters, to protect the Mulchatna caribou herd. The decision comes as the herd, which has greatly declined in number, is expected to begin calving soon.Key Facts
- Alaska wildlife agents can shoot bears from the air to help the caribou herd recover.
- The Mulchatna caribou herd once had about 190,000 animals but dropped to around 16,280 recently.
- Hunting of this caribou herd has been banned since 2021 due to low population numbers.
- Conservation groups filed a lawsuit to stop the bear-killing program, but a judge ruled the state acted reasonably.
- The state killed 180 bears between 2023 and 2024, including many brown bears and some cubs.
- Officials say the bear removal has helped the caribou herd begin to recover since 2023.
- Conservation groups argue there is not enough scientific data to justify killing bears in this way.
- The Alaska Department of Fish and Game and state attorneys support the program based on existing scientific records.
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