State Plans to Kill 100 Wolves Annually to Aid Moose Populations
Alaska’s wildlife officials propose a controversial plan to cull wolves to boost moose numbers in a vast area between two national parks.
Alaska, Wolves, Moose, Denali National Park, Lake Clark National Park, Wildlife
Wasilla: So, here’s the scoop. Alaska’s wildlife folks are looking to get the green light to take out 100 wolves each year. They want to do this by using planes and helicopters in a huge area between Denali and Lake Clark National Parks.
This plan is set to be discussed at a meeting in mid-January, and they’re taking public comments until December 27. It’s a big deal, with over 80 proposals on the table!
The idea is to help the moose population, which has taken a hit from some rough winters. State biologists think that by reducing the number of wolves, they can give moose a better chance to bounce back.
But not everyone is on board. Many wildlife advocates are really against this plan. They argue that killing predators doesn’t actually help moose hunting, and it could mess with the wildlife in the parks.
One critic, Nicole Schmitt from the Alaska Wildlife Alliance, said it’s pretty upsetting to think state employees would be shooting bears and wolves from the air, especially so close to popular parks.
Interestingly, the National Park Service has already said that killing wolves from the air isn’t allowed in Denali or Lake Clark. They’re keeping a close eye on things to make sure the rules are followed.
State officials believe there are too many wolves in the area right now, and they want to cut the population down to between 35 and 55 wolves. They think that killing 100 wolves a year is the way to go to reach that goal.
Critics are worried that if this plan goes through, it might lead to more predator control efforts, including bears. They point to a similar program that’s been going on with caribou, where a lot of bears and wolves have been killed, but the real issues seem to be disease and malnutrition.
It’s a hot topic, and the costs of this plan could be pretty high. The state hasn’t given a specific number yet, but they’ve acknowledged it would be significant.