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For Immediate Release
4 Wolves Dead; Alaska Fish and Game Issues Aerial Wolf Gunning Permits
2005 Aerial Gunning Program is Largest to Date; Hundreds of Wolves at Risk in 60,000 Square Miles of Alaska
ANCHORAGE, AK – Four wolves were killed over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend as the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) issued new permits allowing the killing of wolves from airplanes in Alaska’s interior. The new permits were the first issued this season. One hundred forty-seven wolves were killed last year as the Alaska Board of Game resumed the practice of aerial killing, despite the fact Alaskans have twice voted to ban the practice (1996 and 2000) in statewide referenda.
"Alaska’s aerial assault program violates any notion of sensible wildlife management techniques, which is what we believe violates the Federal Airborne Hunting Act," stated Karen Deatherage, Alaska Program Associate for Defenders of Wildlife. "Hundreds of wolves will be decimated, leaving only scant representation of the species in areas that could and should support much more."
ADF&G wants at nearly 600 wolves killed this winter, while the Board of Game has targeted nearly 900 wolves through 7 approved aerial killing programs. Coupled with legal hunting and trapping, almost 1/3 of Alaska’s wolf population could be slaughtered this winter. Over 80 sport hunters have applied for aerial gunning permits and nearly 30 have been issued.
The state is killing wolves and bears in order to artificially increase moose and caribou populations. "These hunter subsidy programs are clearly for the benefit of rich sportsmen", stated Deatherage. "More than 80% of the moose killed in some areas is done by non-resident and non-rural trophy hunters."
Alaska is home to the largest remaining population of gray wolves in the United States. State biologists estimate some 7,000 to 9,000 wolves roam the state. But unlike wolves in the lower 48 states, wolves in Alaska are not afforded protection under the Endangered Species Act, and wolf hunting is allowed in ninety-five percent of Alaska. In the past six years, over 9,000 wolves were killed through hunting and trapping.
Get more information on and a map of Alaska’s aerial wolf killing program.
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