Numerous studies and Indigenous whalers’ reports are documenting more killer whales spending more time and making more predation attempts in far-north waters.
Wildlife
Prince of Wales wolves are highly inbred, biologists say
It’s rare for a new wolf to find its way to Prince of Wales Island and breed with a member of the local population.
Long-running dispute over Izembek road to get another review in court-ordered rehearing
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ordered a rehearing of the issue, a move that could possibly squash the project.
Predator reduction efforts have not increased moose harvests, study says
The study used about 40 years of state harvest data to analyze the efficacy of using wolf and bear reduction to increase moose hunter success.
A bird the size of your fist flew from Alaska to Tasmania in 11 days
Bar-tailed godwits fly over vast, lonely oceans to nest invisibly in bumps of tundra vegetation.
Western Arctic Caribou Herd decline continues, bringing population to a third of peak size
Caribou and reindeer populations have been declining around the circumpolar north.
Ready to toss out your pumpkins? Here’s how to keep them out of the landfill
The lack of oxygen in landfills means organic matter like pumpkins produce methane gas, a greenhouse gas that’s harmful for the climate.
Preliminary announcement of a month-long wolf harvest sparks outcry from trappers
Prince of Wales Island trapper argue that the Alaska Department of Fish and Game has been mismanaging the wolf population for years, and are putting the interests of small environmental groups above local voices.
Scientists present theories for deer decline at Prince of Wales Island deer summit
For years, populations of Sitka black-tail deer have slumped, leaving residents without a staple source of protein. A three-day summit held in Craig last month prompted lengthy discussions about the problem.
Study looks at the return of tourism’s impact on whale stress levels
In 2022, tourism was almost back to pre-pandemic levels, so samples taken this year will show the difference in the whale’s stress levels when there are and aren’t boats in the water all summer.