Congress Fails Wildlife, OK’s Killing Mother Bears with Cubs and Wolves on Public Lands in Alaska

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate voted 52-47, passing a resolution to overturn U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service protections for bears and wolves in Alaska. The legislation, H.J.Res. 69, aims to undo a rule that would protect bears and wolves from #unbearable hunting practices like killing wolves and their pups in their dens, killing sows and cubs and using airplanes to scout and shoot bears on national wildlife refuge lands in Alaska.

If this repeal is signed into law under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), it will stop these protections and also prohibit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from issuing similar rules and protections in the future, unless directed by Congress.

Below is a statement by Jim Adams, Alaska Regional Director for National Parks Conservation Association

“Today’s action by Congress is bad for bears, wolves and Alaska’s national parks. A record 2.78 million people visited Alaska’s national parks last year to enjoy the wild lands and the incredible opportunity to see grizzly bears and wolves in the wild.

“Bears and wolves are not aware of and don’t remain within national park boundaries. Allowing unbearable hunting practices to take place on Fish and Wildlife Service lands, near Denali and Katmai National Parks, weakens protections for park wildlife and undermines federal authority to manage resources owned and celebrated by all Americans. This resolution makes no sense for wildlife, for the national parks or for the Alaska’s economic future.”

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About National Parks Conservation Association: Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than one million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s natural, historic, and cultural heritage for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.