Posted: 09 May 2012
Home to wolves, bears, and caribou, Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula was once known for its large moose population. But a lack of natural
wildfires has changed conditions on much of the Kenai, and the
once-abundant willow favored by moose have been succeeded by black
spruce. This loss of food and habitat, compounded by factors such as
excessive road mortality and overharvest of males, caused the
peninsula’s moose populations to decline. And so last spring, the Alaska
Board of Game decided that something drastic must be done to prevent
the further loss of moose—aerial wolf control
.
The plan was riddled with problems from the beginning. Regional
biologists argued that predation was not the primary factor limiting
moose and that necessary baseline data needed to make an informed
decision was absent. Additionally, such a program would be difficult to
monitor for success. Defenders echoed this message. We have long
advocated that ADF&G use the best available science to justify their
controversial predator control programs in order to ensure that wolves
are not killed unnecessarily. We worked with others to demonstrate the
biological shortcomings of the plans as well as highlight the
controversial nature of wolf control on the Kenai.
And yet despite its obvious flaws, the Alaska Board of Game not only
unanimously passed the plans for wolf control during their January 2012
meeting, it asked that the finalization of the plans be expedited. It
seemed the aerial gunning plan was a go.
Until last week.
In a welcome turn of events,
ADF&G
decided that rather than rush blindly to act on the Board’s
ill-conceived plans it will instead collect the information necessary to
make a well-informed management decision. Our
message had been heard! This is a win not only for wolves, but the
thousands of visitors flock to Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula annually to
hike, ski, boat, hunt, fish and view wildlife each year as well.
For now, it appears Kenai wildlife programs are on the right track.
In the meantime, Defenders will continue to be a voice for science and
as always, our country’s wolves.
Learn more:
Read more about how our Alaska office is helping to shape responsible policies on predator control through
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