Episode Details

Alaska’s bold move to cull wolves and bears by air during calving season isn’t about emotion—it’s science-driven predator control aimed at reviving the struggling Mulchatna caribou herd. Despite still falling short of target numbers, the herd shows statistically significant growth, with the highest calf-to-cow ratio since 1999 and consistent annual progress. This effort directly impacts rural and Indigenous families who rely on caribou for food, especially as salmon stocks dwindle and costs rise. With hunts closed since 2021 and no plans to reopen until the herd stabilizes, biologists are focused on measurable results and data—even if bear population tracking remains challenging. The Alaska Constitution demands wildlife be managed for public use, and this program, though controversial, is designed to restore a vital subsistence resource through science, not sentiment.

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