Defenders of Wildlife and a coalition of groups represented by Trustees for Alaska celebrated a U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision on Monday to uphold a 2016 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule that prohibits brown bear baiting on Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. The decision also reaffirms the refuge's decades-long approach to managing the Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area for wildlife viewing and education.
“Victory! The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals delivered a win for brown bears and other wildlife on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge," said Nicole Whittington-Evans, Alaska program director, Defenders of Wildlife. "Prohibiting the baiting of brown bears on the Kenai Refuge is an important reminder of the federal government’s responsibility to manage these public lands in the interest of biological integrity and diversity.”
Court Upholds Prohibition of Brown Bear Baiting in Alaska's Kenai Refuge
“Victory! The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals delivered a win for brown bears and other wildlife on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge," said Nicole Whittington-Evans, Alaska program director, Defenders of Wildlife. "Prohibiting the baiting of brown bears on the Kenai Refuge is an important reminder of the federal government’s responsibility to manage these public lands in the interest of biological integrity and diversity.”
Court Upholds Prohibition of Brown Bear Baiting in Alaska's Kenai Refuge