Final signature count: 25,685

25,685 signatures toward our 50,000 goal

Alaska’s wildlife refuges, established “to conserve fish and wildlife populations in their natural diversity,” are home to all of these creatures. But in recent years, state officials have ignored both science and direction from the National Park Service, targeting predators with the vain hope of increasing prey species for subsistence hunters.

Historically, when state officials wanted to extend “predator control” to federal wildlife refuges, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service typically declined. In August of 2016, the USFWS finalized a rule to clarify federal protection of predators on Alaska’s wildlife refuges¹, banning these hunting methods for good. But the measure was seen as overreach by the White House, which soon got involved in the dispute and overruled the USFWS’ refusal².

The state of Alaska’s approach to increasing moose and caribou numbers now involves killing mother bears slowed by tiny cubs, gassing wolf pups and families as they sleep in their dens, bear baiting, snares, and traps. And perhaps most controversial of all, hunting bears and wolves via relentless pursuit by small aircraft — gunning them down from the skies³.

Since 2003, Alaska has issued aerial wolf-hunting permits in select areas where moose and caribou populations are particularly endangered. The idea is that by killing the predators, the airborne gunmen can ramp up the number of moose and caribou that human hunters can take home for supper⁴.

Many aerial wolf-gunning teams fly their single-engine Super Cub planes at very low speeds and at dangerous altitudes of less than 100 feet. They sometimes swoop down to 10 to 15 feet above the ground, and there have been a number of reported deaths in recent years as a result⁵.

The state of Alaska is now sanctioning and even using extreme means to kill predators on nationally protected wildlife refuges when studies show caribou and moose populations are mostly limited by availability of food each year⁶.

Predators play a vital role in the ecosystem, keeping prey species healthy, concentrating and moving nutrients, and actually changing the landscape by their very presence. In the last and arguably the greatest wilderness left in the United States, apex predators deserve our protection, and our respect.

Dangerous trophy hunting disguised as predator control is not condoned by scientists or studies. It is rejected by most of the people of Alaska, and even by many hunters.

Sign the petition below and ask the leaders of the United States to restore protections for predators in Alaska’s wildlife refuges.