The state of Alaska faces intense repercussions following the ruling by Judge Adolf Zeman of the Superior Court, who authorized the resumption of the killing of black and brown bears, even by shooting from helicopters. The measure is part of a state program aimed at recovering the Mulchatna caribou herd, whose population has plummeted in recent decades.
The judicial decision rejected the suspension request filed by the Alaska Wildlife Alliance and the Center for Biological Diversity, who maintain an active lawsuit against the program. The magistrate held that the conservation groups did not demonstrate that the authorities acted without a reasonable basis in approving the measure.
Context of the Caribou Herd
The Mulchatna herd, located in southwestern Alaska, once had 190,000 specimens at its peak, being a food source for native communities. However, since the late 1990s, its population has drastically declined:
- In 2019, there were an estimated 13,000 caribou.
- In 2025, official records counted 16,280 specimens.
Hunting has been prohibited since 2021, and authorities consider predator control key to recovery. According to the Department of Fish and Game, bear removal actions since 2023 have shown a “positive response” in the herd.
Official Arguments
Spokesperson Sam Curtis stated that the strategy is “consistent with scientific data” and is critical during the calving season when calves are most vulnerable to bear and wolf predation. The program includes aerial operations with planes and helicopters in breeding areas.
Opposition and Lawsuits
Conservation groups question the legality and scientific basis of the plan:
- They point out the lack of clear data on the bear population.
- They report that between 2023 and 2024, 180 bears were sacrificed, in addition to another 11 in 2022.
- They argue that predation is not among the main causes of the herd’s decline, which would be more linked to diseases and food shortages.
Cooper Freeman from the Center for Biological Diversity called the measure “a shameful waste of resources” and called for management based on solid science.
Open Debate
The program has been the subject of ongoing litigation. In 2023, another judge criticized the lack of data on the sustainability of the bear population and annulled emergency regulations. The new authorization reignites the debate on how to balance the protection of a declining species with the conservation of another.
The killing of bears in Alaska reflects the complexity of wildlife management: protecting caribou involves sacrificing key predators in the ecosystem. While the government defends the measure as necessary for the herd’s recovery, environmental organizations warn of its risks and question its effectiveness. The conflict remains open in the courts and in public opinion.
