A small number of people ever get to touch a Kodiak bear in their lifetime. Sun’aq Tribe wildlife intern Jessica Rich had the opportunity multiple times this summer.
Wildlife
Caribou hunting limited in eastern Interior
The state will limit caribou hunting in the eastern Interior, along the Taylor and Top of the World Highways. An Alaska Department of Fish and Game announcement says the no-hunt corridor prohibits harvest of caribou within a hundred feet along both sides of the road during a state hunt for Forty Mile caribou, which opens August 29.
Necropsy planned for humpback hit by cruise ship
A Princess Cruise Lines ship traveling through Southeast Alaska’s Inside Passage hit a humpback whale that became lodged on the front bulbous bow. The whale was removed after the Grand Princess docked in downtown Ketchikan Wednesday morning, and the dead animal was towed to a nearby beach.
Bear cub killed after collision with car in Haines
A brown bear cub was struck and killed by a driver in Haines recently. Wildlife trooper Trent Chwialkowski said the incident happened July 28 in the late evening around mile 9 of Lutak Road.
Meet Michael Whitney, the Delta’s new — and only — wildlife officer
You might have spotted Michael Whitney checking nets on the Kuskokwim this summer, or camping out in a schoolhouse in Eek before meeting with community members. Before Whitney joined the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge in May, the region had gone without a federal wildlife officer for several years.
Teaching the next crop of whale entanglement responders
Unalaska has experienced three entangled whales in the last two years. There used to be only one person on the island who could respond to the incidents. But thanks to a recent training, a new response team is in place.
Some tribes see failure, but Kalispel Tribe sees victory in Yellowstone grizzly delisting
Endangered species protections were lifted for grizzly bears in Yellowstone National Park Monday. Many tribes prepared for the delisting last fall by signing a treaty to protect the bears. But one tribe in the Northwest looks at it differently.
Gray whale that swam up Kuskokwim could have been seeking food
Alaskan waters have warmed significantly with climate change, and one result is fewer of these cold-water loving crustaceans to feed gray whales, which sends the inquisitive whales into new habitats looking for food.
Less mercury found in Beaufort Sea polar bears — that’s not necessarily a good thing
Melissa McKinney expected to see some fluctuation in the polar bears’ mercury levels. But the sudden drop off surprised her.
Beluga whale harvested near Dillingham Sunday evening
A beluga whale was harvested Sunday evening near Dillingham in what was the whole hunting party’s first time to take a beluga.