Aerial Hunting of Wolves

Twice, Alaskans voted to ban same-day aerial wolf killing, in 1996 and 2000, but the State of Alaska has chosen to ignore the wishes of its citizens. Alaska's wolves are already subject to practically unmonitored hunting and trapping nine months out of a year, which is enhanced by ever increasing use of snow machines and all-terrain vehicles. (The State intends to inform pilots of the wolves' den and hunting sites.) The areas approved for aerial wolf control include nearly two thousand square miles in interior Alaska, and all the wolves in that area are to be eliminated.

If this policy bugs you, too, here's some ideas:

[1.] Share your thoughts with Alaska's Governor Frank Murkowski: P. O. Box 110001, Juneau, AK 99811, e-mail: governor@gov.state.ak.us, phone: (907) 465-3500, Fax: (907) 465-3532
[2.] Pass this information on to YOUR family and friends. There may be a boycott of tourism in Alaska; if this happens, please encourage them to vacation elsewhere and support the boycott.
[3.] Contact your local media; tell them what is planned for Alaska's wolves and ask them to investigate the story. Write Letters to the Editor.

If you want more information, contact these folks:

[1.] Alaska Wildlife Alliance: http://www.akwildlife.org, P.O.Box 202022 Anchorage, Alaska 99520, Phone: (907) 277-0897, Fax:(907) 277-7423, Email: jenna@akwildlife.org
[2.] If you want to sign an on-line petition stating your opposition to Alaska's Governor Murkowski's plan, go to http://www.defenders.org/
[3.] If you want to monitor plans for a potential tourism boycott of Alaska, go to http://www.friendsofanimals.org/

Letter from the President

There is not a tremendous amount of news since our last newsletter. This one is coming fairly quickly after the last, so we can get back on schedule with the timing.

Pat is still in New Jersey tending to the needs of her mother. Our sincere thanks go out to Melinda Wilson who has picked up on all of Pat's educational programs. Without her help we would have had to cancel a lot of programs.

The most notable event besides the Howl-O-Ween Run has been the completion of the one-acre enclosure for Spirit's pack. It has taken an exorbitant amount of time (almost a year), money (approximately $11,000) and volunteer labor (well over 1,000 hours) to accomplish this task. Without the dedication and effort of a significant number of individuals it would still be in progress. Although the names are too numerous to mention here, I must acknowledge the extra efforts of Eric Epperson, Steve Wolfsong and Cheryl Budler.

The pack relocated to that enclosure was very tentative about being darted and relocated. Matoskah wasn't sure that he even wanted to come out of his travel kennel when it was time to be released. As of this writing they all seem to be calming down and getting used to their new home. We must also acknowledge the donation of all the fencing, from Anne Rice, without which none of this could have happened.

All of the animals are doing well. Tunyan is becoming quite the alpha female, giving Kasha and Shaman notice of her alpha personality. There have been several incidents where she has sent Shaman running with his tail tucked and been successful in getting Kasha's support. She has also begun intimidating some of the 'House Pack'. Again, she has been great at getting both Kasha and Shaman to aid in this effort. So much that we have renamed their group to the "Brat Pack". We will be enlarging their enclosure and giving them the extra space to exert their energy.

As we approach the Holidays and the end of the year, we can't help but take note of all the wonderful things we have been able to accomplish this year because of your help. Many lives have been saved. Many lives have been enriched. Thank you. As I close the year and tabulate all of the accomplishments I will be sure to include that information in our next newsletter.

Please have a wonderful holiday season and know that your support has made a huge difference.