A judge allowed Alaska wildlife officials to resume shooting bears, including from helicopters, to aid the Mulchatna caribou herd’s recovery as calving season nears. The decision comes amid long-running disputes with conservation groups over data on bear populations and sustainability. State officials argue bear removal supports subarctic caribou persistence, while critics say the approach is wasteful and not scientifically justified. The case underscores the precarious balance between predator control and subsistence wildlife wants, with future court action possible as the plan continues through calving season.
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Judge Adolf Zeman ruled that Alaska wildlife agents may continue shooting bears as part of the management plan, rejecting claims that the state acted without a reasonable basis for approval.
The plan focuses on the Mulchatna caribou herd in southwest Alaska, a key subsistence resource for Alaska Native hunters, with calving season imminent and vulnerable newborns particularly at risk from bears and wolves.
Two conservation groups—the Alaska Wildlife Alliance and the Center for Biological Diversity—challenged the program, but their lawsuit did not halt the plan while litigation proceeds.
Officials contend the bear removals have shown a positive response since 2023, suggesting the effort supports caribou recovery, while opponents maintain that data on bear populations and sustainability are insufficient.
The state previously faced litigation over the program’s adoption process and data gaps, including emergency regulations that were struck down; the board reaffirmed the plan last July amid ongoing dispute.
The Department of Fish and Game and the Alaska Department of Law defend the decision as scientifically grounded and timely for the calving window, while opponents say resources and wildlife should be managed based on broader science.
As the case continues, the parties are evaluating further options, with the ongoing controversy highlighting tensions between wildlife management strategies and subsistence needs.