In January, the Alaska Board of Game deliberated on a proposal from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game suggesting the allowance of aerial gunning of black and brown bears and wolves from helicopters in central and southwest Alaska, planned for this spring. This measure aims to increase moose, caribou, and deer populations for hunters in an area known as Unit 16.
Despite overwhelming opposition from the public, NGO’s, and wildlife viewing operators, the proposal has been passed.
Unit 16 borders some of the world’s most iconic wildlife viewing areas, like Denali National Park. The plan aims to reduce black bear populations by 60 to 80%, brown bear populations by 60%, and to kill at least 113 wolves.
This proposal rests on weak and poorly studied biological reasoning for hunting these species, lacking scientific research and expertise from wildlife biologists. By design, bears and wolves serve the vital roles of keystone species, which means they are essential for maintaining the equilibrium of their ecosystem. As their populations continue to decline, it disrupts ecosystem balance and affects all other species within that ecosystem.
This is why I am asking you to sign a petition that has recently been created to stop the aerial gunning of bears and wolves in Alaska:
I want to emphasize that, aside from culling bears and wolves when their populations are declining, grizzly bears have the slowest reproduction rates among mammals. According to the Humane Society of the United States, grizzly bears are not considered adults until they are between 4 and 8 years old. The interval between litters is 3 to 4 years, and the litter sizes tend to be small. Therefore, over a span of 10 years, from when a female and male grizzly reach sexual maturity and begin to reproduce—assuming all of their cubs survive—their population would only increase to 8 bears. In the early 19th century, grizzly bear populations were around 50,000. Today, their population is estimated to be between 1,500 and 2,000.
We are fighting for their sovereignty and their right to live. Alaska’s bear and wolf populations need your voice. Alaska is our last frontier, and what makes it so special and iconic is the wildlife that inhabits it.
Please sign and share the petition above as well as this petition to ban trophy hunting of endangered and threatened species.
In solidarity, Nicole @Wild For Change
*Image courtesy of Defenders.org