Southeast Alaska: Seward Bear Cub Finds New Home in Sitka - A young black bear cub orphaned near Seward has found a home in Sitka. The cub’s story, first reported in a Seward newspaper, became a social media sensation as people around the world monitored the animal’s capture and eventual placement in a wildlife facility, naming the cub “Little Smokey,” along the way.

“Little Smokey”
Photo courtesy Fortress of the Bear

The cub’s journey into the spotlight began on October 12, when local law enforcement responded to reports of an adult black bear breaking into a vehicle outside the Spring Creek Correctional Facility near Seward. The bear was thought to be a male known to have grown bold around humans and was wounded by police before disappearing into nearby dense coastal forest.

The next day, authorities received varying reports of two to three unaccompanied young black bear cubs in the Spring Creek area. A day later, a single unaccompanied young cub was reported and, on October 16, the lone cub appeared again and was captured by Alaska State Troopers. Troopers contacted Seward Animal Control to hold the cub.

Zoos and other wildlife facilities available to take black bears are limited because the number of bears available for placement exceeds the number of facilities requesting black bears. More than 100,000 black bears are estimated to live in Alaska with many more found in Canada and some 45 of the Lower 48 states. Black bears also are long-lived, having life spans of 15-20 years, making for infrequent turnover in wildlife facilities. Often, when new homes are lacking, young orphaned bears must be humanely euthanized. - More...
Saturday AM - October 26, 2013

Alaska: Emergency Closure of Kenai Brown Bear Hunting - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Friday announced an emergency closure of sport hunting of brown bears on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, effective October 26, 2013 at 12:01 am.

Operating under the assumption of lagging indicators, the known human-caused brown bear mortalities on the Kenai Peninsula in 2013 now total at least 66 bears. This includes a minimum of 43 brown bears taken during spring and fall hunting seasons, and 23 bears killed through defense of life and property takings, illegal takings, agency kills of problem bears, and vehicle collisions. Total mortalities now represent more than 10 percent of the best available estimate of a total Kenai Peninsula brown bear population, numbering 624 bears.

“This level of mortality is not scientifically sustainable,” said Refuge Manager Andy Loranger in announcing the Refuge emergency closure.

In addition to the total number of mortalities, a high number of reproductive-age female bears have been killed. Prior to 2013, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game limited the annual number of human-caused mortalities of adult female brown bears at 10. At least 22 adult females, or 33 per cent of all known mortalities, have been killed so far this year - more than double the previously established limits. - More...
Saturday AM - October 26, 2013

Southeast Alaska: INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE INVESTIGATION RESULTS IN CONVICTION OF HAINES BIG GAME GUIDE - U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced this week that a Haines, Alaska, resident was sentenced in federal court in Juneau on five felony Lacey Act counts involving illegal take of wildlife, false labeling, and illegal importation of wildlife.

Ronald L. Martin, 72, of Haines, a big game guide in Haines for over 30 years, pled guilty and was sentenced Tuesday before U.S. District Court Judge Timothy M. Burgess, after admitting to multiple illegal hunts, falsification of numerous documents related to those illegal hunts and the importation of illegal wildlife from Canada into the United States. Martin was sentenced to pay a $40,000 fine and was placed on probation for four years. During the term of probation, Martin cannot hunt in the United States and is banned from hunting anywhere in the world for two years. Additionally, the plea agreement bars Martin from providing any guiding related services as part of his federal probation conditions. Martin was also ordered to forfeit all illegal wildlife seized in the investigation and a 27’ enclosed trailer used in illegally importing wildlife into the U.S.

Prior to the defendant’s plea in federal court, Martin had pled and was sentenced in Alaska State court on one count of guiding clients for brown bear over bait, and one count of guiding clients over an unregistered bear bait site. As part of that State conviction, Martin was fined $40,000 with $30,000 suspended, and forfeited the following items to the State of Alaska: a PA-18 Piper Supercub airplane, a F250 Ford pickup truck, a Honda ATV – Foreman, and a Kimber .338 Caliber rifle with a Leopold Scope. Martin’s hunting license was also revoked until May 2016 and he is prohibited from guiding, outfitting, or transporting hunters, to include not accompanying or assisting hunters in the field. Martin is further prohibited from acting as consultant, expediting, booking, or renting hunting equipment, and cannot apply for a hunting license until 2018. Martin was also required to surrender his guide license for life. - More...
Saturday AM - October 26, 2013

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