A judge’s ruling may have just saved 200 brown bears in Alaska. In a major win for conservationists and wildlife advocates, the Anchorage Superior Court struck down a state-backed bear culling program, declaring it unconstitutional and in violation of due process.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game launched the bear cull as part of an effort to save the Mulchatna caribou herd, which has dwindled from 200,000 strong in 1997 to just 13,000 today. In 2022, the state expanded its existing predator control program—originally designed to target wolves—to include brown bears, in hopes that fewer predators would help the caribou population recover.
But the move sparked backlash from wildlife organizations and legal experts, who argued that the Alaska Board of Game (BOG) pushed the program through without proper public notice or scientific review.
The Court’s Verdict
In a 10-page decision, Judge Andrew Guidi, aside from calling out the lack of due process—ruled that the state failed to properly assess the impact of mass bear killings on the ecosystem.
“Addressing the sustainability of a constitutionally protected resource like bears almost certainly requires more than a rudimentary discussion,” Guidi wrote, emphasizing that wildlife management must follow Alaska’s constitutional principle of “sustained yield”—a balance between conservation and responsible use (Alaska Beacon).
The Fight Isn’t Over
The lawsuit, filed by the Alaska Wildlife Alliance and Anchorage attorney Michelle Bittner, challenged the legality of the culling program. Now, with the ruling in their favor, animal advocates are calling for science-backed, humane solutions to protect both caribou and bears.
Attorney Joe Geldhof, representing the Alaska Wildlife Alliance, emphasized the immediate impact of the decision:
“Unless the state seeks a stay, they’ve got to stop killing bears.”
Meanwhile, the Alaska Department of Law says it is reviewing the ruling and considering its next steps, which could include an appeal.
A Bigger Question for Conservation
For now, the bears are safe—but the battle over predator control in Alaska is far from over. Conservationists continue to push for policies that rely on scientific research, ethical management, and public transparency, rather than resorting to mass culling.
Doggodigest will keep following this story as it unfolds.
