SouthernWorldwide.com – A judge in Alaska has ruled that wildlife agents can resume killing bears, including from helicopters, as part of an effort to protect a caribou herd. This decision allows for the continuation of a controversial program aimed at aiding the recovery of the Mulchatna caribou herd.
The ruling comes after two conservation groups, the Alaska Wildlife Alliance and the Center for Biological Diversity, sought to halt the program. They filed a lawsuit challenging its legality and asked for the program to be paused while the case proceeds.
Superior Court Judge Adolf Zeman stated that the conservation groups failed to demonstrate that the state acted without a reasonable basis when approving the plan. This timing is critical, as the caribou herd is expected to begin calving soon, making newborn calves vulnerable to predators.
State officials view the bear-killing program as essential for the caribou herd’s recovery. The Mulchatna herd was once a significant food source for Alaska Native hunters, providing an estimated 4,770 caribou annually. However, the population has seen a dramatic decline.
The herd’s numbers began to fall in the late 1990s and early 2000s. By 2019, the population had shrunk to around 13,000 animals. Last year, estimates placed the population at approximately 16,280, according to the state Department of Fish and Game. Hunting of these caribou has been prohibited since 2021.
During the period of 2023 to 2024, state officials reported killing 180 bears, predominantly brown bears, with an additional 11 killed last year. The conservation groups, citing data from the Alaska Wildlife Alliance, claim that 99 bears, including 20 cubs, were killed from the air in less than a month in 2023 alone.
The core argument of the conservation groups is that the Alaska Board of Game authorized the program’s reinstatement without adequate data regarding bear population numbers and their sustainability. They contend this process was flawed.
Cooper Freeman, Alaska director for the Center for Biological Diversity, expressed that while the groups desire the caribou herd’s success, the state has not proven that indiscriminate bear killing will achieve this goal. He emphasized the need to cease what he termed a “disgraceful waste of the state’s limited resources” and to adopt science-based approaches for wildlife protection.
In response, state attorneys argued that officials conducted a thorough review of factors related to bear populations when formulating the plan. Alaska is home to an estimated 100,000 black bears and 30,000 brown bears. They also noted that the caribou herd has shown positive signs of recovery since the initiation of bear removal during calving seasons in 2023.
The Alaska Department of Law welcomed Judge Zeman’s decision, stating it allows the management program to continue during the crucial caribou calving season. Spokesperson Sam Curtis highlighted that the program’s continuation is supported by the scientific record. The department represents the board and the Department of Fish and Game.
Attorneys for Trustees for Alaska, who represent the conservation groups, are reviewing the ruling and considering their next steps. This program has been a subject of ongoing legal challenges.
Previously, a judge had identified procedural issues in the adoption of the program and questioned the state’s data on bear sustainability. Emergency regulations were later invalidated, leading to a public process for reauthorizing the program, which the board approved in July of the previous year.
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The Alaska Wildlife Association points to a 2020 assessment by state biologists that identified disease and lack of food as the primary drivers of the caribou herd’s decline. The alliance expressed concern that Alaska’s big game management may be prioritizing public demand over habitat capacity, leading to unsustainable practices.
