Gov. Bill Walker issued a disaster declaration for the winter storms that struck Savoonga and Gambell at the end of 2016. Almost $3 million in public assistance, state individual assistance and temporary housing assistance will be given to the St. Lawrence Island communities.
Wildlife
Options dwindle for orphan sea otters
Until recently, when an orphan sea otter was found on a beach, volunteers helped get it out of harm’s way and into rehabilitation. The Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward was the only place that would accept orphan pups. Although the four pups at the SeaLife Center since moved to new homes, the facility has no plans to accept more. And that means turning pups away.
Wandering bison that ‘captured the hearts’ of Western Alaska poached near Quinhagak
She was a wanderer. Instead of sticking with her herd, Wood Bison 124 headed out on her own, traveling hundreds of solitary miles from the Alaska Yukon, down the Kuskokwim, to the sea. A bullet ended her journey Friday near Quinhagak. She was shot illegally.
Volcanic ash falls on Unalaska in Bogoslof’s longest eruption yet
After more than two dozen explosions, Bogoslof Volcano has finally dropped ash on Unalaska. In its longest eruption since activity began six weeks ago, the volcano dusted the island with less than a millimeter of ash Monday night and produced a strong sulfurous smell.
Evidence suggests harmful algae blooms impact species from humans to whales
There is growing evidence that harmful algae blooms have widespread health impacts on everything from humans to whales.
Chukchi Sea polar bears are thriving but only in the short term
The study establishes a relationship between sea ice reduction and polar bear population numbers. The researchers then used that trend to predict how the world’s 26,000 polar bears will fare in the future.