Alaska is home to the largest remaining population of gray wolves in the United States. But ironically, at the same time heroic efforts are being undertaken to restore wolves in the lower 48 states, wolves in Alaska are often the victims of controversial predator-control programs.

Major Threats

In Alaska, the state legislature, the Board of Game, and wolf-control supporters continue to advocate for intensive wolf-control programs to increase game populations, whether or not studies have determined that habitat is sufficient, or that decreasing wolves is necessary. For almost a decade, the most controversial aspect of these control programs has been aerial gunning, whereby private hunters, rather than state managers, are allowed to shoot and kill wolves from the air.

Learn more about what Defenders of Wildlife is doing to help in our Species at Risk: Alaska Gray Wolves [1] section.