Call to End Federal Subsidies for Wildlife Slaughter

WASHINGTON - A coalition of over 35 conservation organizations and scientists is demanding that U.S. Department of the Interior end financial support for excessive removal of wolves and bears in an attempt to increase populations of “game” and trophy species such as caribou, elk and moose. A rulemaking petition to end that financial support has been at the Department since September 2021 without any apparent action.

This renewed demand comes after the Alaska Department of Fish and Game operation to gun down 94 brown bears (including cubs), five black bears and five wolves from helicopters in the southwest portion of the state between May 10 and June 4, with the purported objective of “growing” a declining caribou herd. This appears to be the largest “lethal removal” of native carnivores in state history. The coalition effort is being led by the Humane Society of the United States, the Global Indigenous Council, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER).

The groups are seeking a meeting with Secretary Haaland to urge her endorsement of a new rule forbidding federal funding of state game practices that are inconsistent with the national policy of fostering naturally diverse wildlife populations and healthy predator-prey dynamics. Federal aid constitutes a large portion of the state game budgets, exceeding a billion dollars annually.

"As guardians of our ancestral lands, we request that the Secretary Haaland meet with us, for it is not just the bears and wolves that face annihilation, but it is a vital part of our Native American culture. We request that federal funds be distributed with the wisdom to preserve the delicate balance of wolves and bears and the soul of our people." Stated Tom Rodgers, representative of the Global Indigenous Council.

https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/call-to-end-federal-subsidies-for-wildlife-slaughter