Alaska wildlife agents can kill bears from helicopters in an effort to protect caribou, judge says

Key Points:

• Alaska wildlife agents can resume killing black and brown bears, including from helicopters, to aid the recovery of the Mulchatna caribou herd, following a ruling by Superior Court Judge Adolf Zeman.
• The decision came despite lawsuits from conservation groups challenging the program's legality, with the judge finding the state had a reasonable basis for approving the bear removal plan.
• The Mulchatna caribou herd, vital for Alaska Native subsistence hunting, has drastically declined from around 190,000 animals to about 16,280, prompting the state to restrict hunting since 2021.
• Conservation groups argue the bear cull lacks sufficient scientific data on bear populations and sustainability, while state officials contend the program has contributed to a positive response in the caribou herd since 2023.
• The ruling allows the bear removal program to continue during the critical caribou calving season, though conservation attorneys are reviewing options to challenge the decision further.