Wildlife News

With rats gone, a name change is suggested for Rat Island

Rat Island was once over-run with rats. But with the rats dead and gone after having eaten grain pellets laced with poison, two Alaska Native groups say it's time for a name-change.

Texas congressman lectures colleagues on caribou romance

Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas last week espoused a reason for keeping oil flowing through the trans-Alaska pipeline that got even Alaska Rep. Don Young giggling at its absurdity, reports The Washington Post. If we let the pipeline run dry, Gohmert theorized, caribou won't feel like mating.

Group hopes to lure moose off Southcentral roads with food

The Department of Fish and Game announced Monday that a permit has been issued to the Alaska Moose Federation allowing the advocacy group to take measures in Southcentral Alaska that will divert moose from roads, driveways and railroad lines.

Anchorage landfill hazers battle eagles, ravens, gulls

The bald eagle may be America's bird, but as the employees of Anchorage's Municipal Landfill know, it is also an incorrigible trash hound. Each winter, 200 to 300 eagles take up residence at the main city landfill off Hiland Road in Eagle River.

Video: Landfill manager discusses eagles

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Wayward ribbon seal receives checkup, is found to be healthy

An Arctic ribbon seal rarely seen in Puget Sound has had its southerly sojourn interrupted for a medical checkup that shows the male is in good health.

Suspended road-kill moose retrieval renewed, expands

The Alaska Moose Federation expanded their moose salvage program to the Mat-Su valleys on Friday and, almost immediately, received their first call.

Satellite tags show ties between Pacific gray whale groups

A research team using satellite tracking technology is causing marine mammal biologists to re-examine what's known of highly endangered western Pacific gray whales.

Rare, tagged western gray whale located near Monterey

Bear forgoes winter sleep, pays visits to trash bins

A bear is forgoing its winter nap at the east end of Kodiak City, leaving numerous tracks in the snow.

Federal Marine Mammals Commission begins Anchorage meeting

The federal Marine Mammal Commission began four days of meetings today in Anchorage.

Deep snow may lead to record moose deaths on roads, tracks

When the snow is deep in Southcentral Alaska, moose are apt to relocate to flatland haunts that promise easier mobility and more opportunities for food. But that puts them in much closer contact with humans -- along with their cars and trains.

85-year-old woman wields shovel to stop moose stomping

85-year-old woman wields shovel to stop moose stomping

An agitated moose ran down and stomped a well-known Bush pilot from Willow, but he was saved when his wife grabbed a shovel from their pickup truck and whacked the big animal until it backed off.

Moose safety tips from Alaska Department of Fish and Game

The state Department of Fish and Game says that moose aren't normally aggressive but they can turn so in winter when they are hungry, tired of walking in deep snow or are being harassed by dogs, people or traffic.

Predators may block recovery of Alaska sea lions, scientists say

Alaska's endangered Steller sea lion population could have trouble recovering because so many juveniles are being eaten by killer whales and sharks, according to findings of a six-year study published this week.

Feds followed rules with sea lion protections, judge rules

Game Board modifies rules for setting up bear bait stations

Black bear hunters throughout Alaska will be required to attend a clinic or pass an online test if they want to set up a bait station.

Game Board delays decision on expansion of bear snaring

The Alaska Board of Game has delayed a proposal that would have expanded the use of snares to kill grizzly and black bears.

Game Board expands aerial shooting of bears

Collar-cam videos provide grizzly bear's view of Alaska

Grizzly boar 6041 had a busy day on May 26. The 700-pound, 10-year-old Alaska bear woke up at 3:17 a.m. as the sun peeked out beneath gray skies. Within 15 minutes, he was attempting to impregnate a willing sow. Then it was off to eat fish.

Trading moose meat for firewood means trouble

A 41-year-old Fairbanks man is accused of illegally trading moose meat for firewood.

Alaskans testify on killing bears with snares

Former Gov. Tony Knowles stepped before the seven-member Alaska Board of Game on Friday to urge an immediate end to the snaring of bears, including grizzlies, as a management tool to boost moose populations.

Ex-governor joins opposition to expansion of bear snaring

The use of snares to kill bears is a "train wreck" of wildlife management policy, a former Alaska governor said Thursday as he announced he would join biologists in opposing the expansion of such methods to boost moose populations.

Alaska Newsreader: Fish and Game proposes aerial shooting of bears

Game Board to consider Peninsula predator control

Survey spots fewer Cook Inlet belugas in 2011

The 2011 survey of endangered beluga whales in Alaska's Cook Inlet spotted 20 percent fewer animals but federal officials say it's not an indication of an abrupt population drop.

More on beluga whales

Palmer wolf-dogs find a new home at California center

Wolves confiscated from the Wolf Country USA attraction near Palmer, arrived at a 20-acre sanctuary in California Dec. 12 and will live the rest of their lives unchained, in sprawling enclosures and networks of wire holding pens.