GAME BOARD EXPANDS EFFORT TO REDUCE WOLF POPULATION
Palmer, Les
The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported in March that the Alaska Board of Game adopted new wolf-control programs for two 10,000-square-mile areas where wolves have been blamed for major declines in moose populations.
In the central Kuskokwim region, the board approved a plan to kill between 140 and 180 wolves. In the western Cook Inlet region, as many as 100 wolves are to be killed.
Defending the board against accusations that it was moving too fast with predator control, Fairbanks board member Pete Buist referred to Tony Knowles’ lack of action during the two terms he was governor.
“We’re trying to undo eight years of inaction that resulted in the curtailment of subsistence activities in rural Alaska,” Buist said.
Scheduled to begin this fall, the new programs are similar to those under way in the McGrath and Nelchina Basin areas. Qualified applicants operating under state-issued permits will employ aircraft in the control effort.
Expressing concerns about funding, state biologist Kirn Titus said, “We certainly have to consider how many resources we can scrape up in a time of declining budgets to put the best science toward these programs.”
As of mid-March, 103 wolves had been killed in the Nelchina Basin program, and 40 in McGrath. At the same time, the governor’s office reported receiving more than 50,000 letters and e-mails protesting the programs.
Copyright Morris Communications Jul 2004
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved
