 The Wolf: Predator or Prey?
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Dec. 5, 2003 — A new law allows hunters in Alaska to shoot wolves from the air, or to land and shoot wolves that they've already targeted from their airplanes.
Dubbed a "predator control program," aerial gunning has now been approved by Alaskan Governor Frank Murkowski, bringing back a method of population control for wolves not used in at least 15 years.
Murkowski and the Alaska Board of Game claimed the killing of wolves from the air is necessary in order to boost game populations, such as moose and caribou.
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"This is not something new," said board chairman Mike Fleagle. "The board has been working on this for the last several years."
Hunters have a stake in the legalization of aerial gunning of wolves, which they hope will result in an abundance of game animals.
But according to researchers in Yellowstone National Park, wolves bring an important balance to ecosystems and, like other native predators, almost never cause an unsustainable decline in regional prey populations.
Karen Deatherage, an advocate for Defenders of Wildlife, told Animal News Center that the state's decision to reinstate aerial gunning of wolves was made on the basis of "weak numbers" rather than sound scientific evidence.
Deatherage added that the board's action is an insult to Alaskan voters, who twice in recent years said "no" to the aerial shooting of wolves.
"They've trampled on the voters' wishes and opened the door to the wholesale slaughter of hundreds of wolves," she told Animal News Center.
The aerial killing could start as early as January 2004, or even sooner in some areas of the state.
The Animal Protection Institute and other animal protection and conservation organizations have pledged a tourism boycott if the plan goes forward.
The presence of wolves has generated revenue for local economies in Yellowstone from tourism, and according to Deatherage it can do the same in Alaska. She added that a tourism boycott could be an effective way of helping to garner respect for voters' wishes.
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Name: Gray Wolf (Canis lupus lycaon)
Primary Classification: Canidae (Dogs and Relatives) Location: North America, Greenland, Europe and Asia. Habitat: Northern boreal and coniferous forests. Open, brushy areas. Tundra. Diet: When hunting in packs: moose, caribou, deer, musk oxen, and bison. When hunting alone: beavers, rabbits, and other small mammals. Size: Up to 5 ft in length and 130 lbs in weight. Description: Black and white, thick fur; long, pointed muzzle; large, upright, sensitive ears; long, sharp teeth; long legs. Cool Facts: It's the largest wild member of the canid family. It was once the world's most widely ranging carnivore. It travels distances of up to 125 miles in a day. Conservation Status: Listed as "Endangered" in the lower United States, except for Minnesota where it is listed as "Threatened." Major Threat: Human persecution and habitat destruction. What Can I Do?: Visit the Wolf Recovery Foundation, the National Wildlife Federation's Gray Wolf site and the International Wolf Center for information on how you can help. You can also sign a petition to stop aerial wolf hunting at ThePetitionSite.com. |
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