Alaska’s Supreme Court has issued a ruling that may help protect bears and other wildlife in Alaska from being targeted in a fatal predator control program, according to Anchorage Daily News.
After an attorney from Anchorage, Alaska sued the state on the grounds that its predator killing program negatively impacted her ability to watch the wildlife, her case was dismissed. Michelle Bittner then took her case to the Alaskan Supreme Court – which ruled that she did, in fact, have grounds to sue.
Bittner’s lawsuit seeks to put an end to a program that is killing bears and wolves in Alaska due to the dwindling population of the Mulchatna caribou herd. In 2021, hunting Mulchatna caribou was no longer permitted, and in 2022, the predator control program was born.
Bittner alleged that the predator-killing program interfered with her desire to watch the bears at Katmai National Park and Preserve.
“My interests are that wildlife is part of my identity and experiences as an Alaskan,” Bittner said. “I want to live in a place where wildlife is flourishing. I am exhilarated by viewing wildlife in their natural habitat. And I cherish wildlife, including predators.”
Almost 200 bears and over 40 wolves have died so far as a result of a predator-killing program. It could continue into 2028 if it is allowed to go on – but this lawsuit has the potential to end the program if successful.
Programs that target and kill wild animals are not only cruel – they may fail to address more complex root issues. In the case of Mulchatna caribou populations in Alaska, vegetation changes, human poachers, climate change, and other environmental factors need to be addressed, according to scientists.
Lady Freethinker welcomes news of this ruling and commends Bittner and all others who are speaking out against the slaughter of bears, wolves, and other wild animals.
