The unit’s intensive management plan in the past has called for the removal of 60% of brown bears and 60% to 80% of black bears, though state officials say they have no immediate plans to kill bears now.
Critics of the proposal, including Alaska Wildlife Alliance and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, say they expect the state to broaden predator control efforts to bears once they get permission despite growing scientific research that killing predators doesn’t necessarily lead to more prey.
