Senate Votes to Allow Killing Bears and Wolves in Alaska Refuges – Sign Petition to Stop This!

On February 16, 2017,  the U.S. House of Representatives voted to overturn the Obama Administration law that grants protections to wolves, black bears, and coyotes in Alaska National Wildlife Refuges. As sad as it is that anyone would vote to legalize the killing of entire families of animals in their homes, the vote didn’t just do that, it promoted the use of cruel traps such as snares and leg holds to capture wildlife.

The Congressional Review Act (CRA), which allows Congress to review and potentially overturn any recent federal regulation, is an important part of a healthy system of checks and balances. When used correctly, it has the potential to put a stop to any new laws that would breach human rights or harm animals and the environment. But, according to Think Progress, the overturn of protections for Alaska’s native predators was backed by both the National Rifle Association (NRA) and Safari Club International, an organization that has gained notoriety for its advocacy of canned hunting and elite trophy hunting. Knowing this, we have to question the integrity of the Representatives that voted in favor of gunning down apex predators like wolves, who are important to a healthy ecosystem, as well as black bears and coyotes.

While it may feel like we are fighting a losing battle against the people in power and hunting lobbyists for the legality of the inhumane and unscientific practice of the predator population regulations, they haven’t won yet. So far, only the U.S. House of Representatives has voted. In order for a total repeal, the Senate also needs to vote to overturn the ruling, meaning there is still time to make our voices heard.

Like all predators in the United States, Alaska’s native predators have long been victims of unjust and ecologically unsound predator control practices. According to Jenny Keatinge, federal lands policy analyst with Defenders of Wildlife “Alaska’s extreme predator control policies lack scientific Support, contravene Conservation mandates on national wildlife refuges, and defy traditional wildlife management principles.”

While this measure has passed in the House of Representatives, you can still put pressure on the Senate! Sign this petition tand ask your U.S. Senator to oppose Senators Sullivan and Murkowski’s Joint Resolution 18, which would revoke the FWS rule protecting wildlife on Alaska national wildlife refuges from cruel hunting methods.

Lead image source: BGSmith/Shutterstock