Wolves Slaughtered By Aerial Hunting Programs (Take Action)

Elizabeth Neville, Global Animal

Over 1,000 Alaskan wolves have been shot down by riflemen in airplanes — legally.

Easily visible against the snowy Alaskan terrain, wolves are either gunned down by airborne hunters, or chased by airplane to the point of exhaustion and executed from ground-level. Through this “wolf management” program, state-licensed gunmen can legally target entire packs, including pregnant wolves.

Not only is this practice currently permitted, it has been, historically, encouraged; in 2008, former Governor Sarah Palin approved spending $400,000 in taxpayer money to promote wolf hunting and defeat a citizen’s initiative to limit aerial gunning. Palin also offered encouragement for this killing by offering a $150 reward for the left foreleg of each dead wolf. This proposal was halted by conservation organization, Defenders of the Wildlife.

Legislation already exists to protect animals against policies like these. The Airborne Hunting Act, passed in 1972, “prohibits shooting or attempting to shoot or harassing any bird, fish, or other animal from aircraft except for certain specified reasons, including protection of wildlife, livestock, and human life as authorized by a Federal or State issued license or permit.” Despite Palin no longer being in office, her hand-selected Board of Game continues her wolf killing policies.

Those interested in encouraging President Obama to enforce the Airborne Hunting Act can sign this petition.