Every day in October trophy hunters in Alaska are killing bears that
have learned to trust humans. The bears are visited by photographers and
tourists- until October 1st. Then the hunters come. All of it takes
place on Federal Land.
The wildlife here desperately needs your
help!
A world without bears is
in the very near future
In the lower 48 grizzly bears have been pushed into only 2 % of their
previous range. 100 years ago there were 10,000 grizzlies living like
Katmai bears on the California coast. Now there are none. This same
atrocity is now happening in Alaska.
Trophy hunters are
slaughtering Alaska's bears
This year the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game (ADFG) hopes to exterminate
1,400 bears out of a population of 2,000 in an area west of Anchorage.
Hunting is especially devastating to bears because their reproduction is
designed for being at the top of the food chain. Unlike prey species,
who produce many offspring each year, bears have small litters every 3-5
years.
Predator control decimates entire populations
Designed to boost moose
populations compromised by trophy hunting, ADFG predator control
policies remove all restrictions on the hunting of predators. Huge
populations of bears and wolves, living in balance with their prey, are
exterminated using cruel practices like aerial shooting, trapping and
baiting.
Alaska's bears are being
given away to tourists
The fur industry kills thousands of bears every year to be sold as
souvenirs to tourists. Bear and wolf pelts are sold just about
everywhere in Alaska from gas stations to fur stores.
Bears are tortured for their gall bladders
In Asia there is a huge market for bear gall bladders which are falsely
believed to increase male virility. Poachers commonly restrain and
torture bears to make their gall bladders swell before "harvesting".
While little poaching occurs in Katmai, it is common elsewhere in
Alaska, Canada, and especially Russia.
How can you help?
You have the power to make change in Alaska
1. Don't buy fur or other wild animal products
In addition to fur also avoid other wild animal products such as bear
claws/teeth, walrus ivory, and art adorned with fur.
2. Tell merchants you oppose the sale of fur products
3. Boycott businesses that do commercial trophy hunting
Shockingly, many operators do bear viewing in the summer, then transport
trophy hunters to kill bears in the fall. Ask before booking a tour or
flight.
4. Tell others about your experience with bears in
Katmai
Spread the word that bears aren't ruthless killers and that peaceful
co-existence is possible when bears aren't hunted.
5. Contact the Alaska Governor and Alaska Fish and Game
Tell them you oppose the slaughter of bears and support the abolishment
of the Board of Game, which is comprised entirely of trophy hunters but
sets most wildlife policies in Alaska.
Below is a list of government contacts along with media contacts for the
Anchorage Daily News. We urge all concerned citizens to contact everyone
on this list including the newspaper and express your disgust over the
trophy hunting of bears especially habituated ones. While you're at it
express your disgust over Alaska's predator control programs.
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