In just two months, trappers reported taking almost as many wolves as had estimated to live on and around Prince of Wales Island…
“It’s a new record number of wolves — 165 taken in Unit 2 — which includes Prince of Wales and surrounding islands in Southeast Alaska,” wrote Jacob Resneck of CoastAlaska.
Alexander Archipelago wolf. Photo by Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Prince of Wales and surrounding area is home to Alexander Archipelago wolves that were, just a few years ago, feared endangered. Numbers had dropped to just 89 animals in 2014, when environmental groups, including Alaska Wildlife Alliance, petitioned for their protection under the Endangered Species Act. That idea was shot down in 2016 after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined the isolated population of wolves are not genetically distinct from mainland wolves.
The population rebounded since 2014 with the most recent wolf abundance estimate (from fall 2018, fall 2019 numbers still forthcoming) being 170 wolves (population range 147-202). Division of Wildlife Conservation allowed for a 2 month trapping season last year with unlimited take but asked trappers to “moderate their effort”.
The Department of Wildlife Conservation just released that the season closed with 165 wolves harvested in that two month open season. Again, the Department’s population estimate of wolves is 170 wolves total on Prince of Wales island.
Alaska Wildlife Alliance is determining our next steps in response to this release. Read the CoastAlaska story on our immediate reaction below, or by visiting the Alaska Public Media website. Touch back for updates on this story as they evolve.
