State Fighting Feds about Wolf Killing on Unimak Island

Corey Allen-Young
KTVA
Created:06/07/2010 10:29:14 PM PDT
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTVA-CBS 11 News)

Source: http://www.ktva.com/local/ci_15248658, accessed 6/12/10

A federal judge denied a request from the state to shoot wolves on Unimak Island Monday afternoon for what the state claims is necessary to protect the declining caribou population in the area.

According to officials, the herd's immediate future is unsettling. Just a few years ago, about 1,200 caribou roamed Unimak Island. Now, after an aerial survey conducted June 6, reports show there are no more than 250 left standing.

These low numbers have officials and residents placing blame on area wolves.

"We thought it was important to act quickly to kill up to seven wolves so that we can maintain at least the current depleted state of this herd and hopefully get the herd to survive another year," said Bill McAllister, spokesperson for the Alaska Department of Law.

Insisting the wolves on Unimak Island pose a threat to the declining population of caribou, the state wants to step in to protect them.

"The feds and the state agree that this herd is distressed. The feds have not put forth any argument, that I am aware of, as to why they oppose this predator control method," said McAllister. "They have been arguing jurisdiction and process, but we don't why they won't let us kill seven wolves just to be sure that this herd stays in its already depleted state for another year."

But the state's plan for aerial predator control on Unimak was put on hold Monday after U.S. District Court Judge H. Russell Holland said it's the federal government's decision to make on National Wildlife Refuge land.

Something U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials say will help them make the right decision in responding to the low number of caribou herds without altering the natural diversity of the area.

"We would do a thorough analysis of a range of management actions and alternatives for the Unimak caribou herd," said Larry Bell, of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. "The killing of wolves is one potential management option. We want to analyze a range of alternative options and that's what is required to look at the full range of options and then select the options based on the environment impact."

But that answer isn't good enough for the state or residents on Unimak Island who say if the wolves are not taken care of soon, there may not be any caribou around much longer.

"Your calves from this year probably won't survive, and then next year you are going to have as many calves as you do this year or probably less," said Cindy Beamer, who is a general manager for Isanotski Corporation, based in False Pass on Unimak Island.

"They counted 178 animals and estimated there might be no more than 250 versus the 400 that was in the record before the court today," said McAllister. "They only found seven bulls yesterday and of course without bulls you are not going to have reproduction."

People in False Pass say the wolf population continues to grow and they think that if their numbers aren't reduced, the herds could be gone in five years.

In efforts to address the problem, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says it will issue a special use permit to Alaska Fish and Game to authorize the state to translocate 20 bull caribou from the Southern Alaska Peninsula herd to Unimak Island.

To contact the Newsroom, call 907-274-1111.