Wildlife
St. George considers applying for national marine sanctuary status
St. George Island is taking steps to protect the marine environment in their backyard. The city council passed a resolution earlier this month that could establish a National Marine Sanctuary.
Young seeks to amend Obama’s Alaska resource agenda
Young’s proposing amendments to a spending bill, so they technically just say the government can’t spend any money to develop or enforce these rules.
After decades of research, Steller sea lion decline still puzzles scientists
Every summer, biologists visit Alaska to count Steller sea lions. The western stock of the population has been in decline for nearly 40 years — hitting a low in 2002. The count helps determine whether sea lions stay on the endangered species list, which puts costly restrictions on the commercial fishing fleet.
Whale deaths near Anchorage, Glacier Bay prompt investigation
Whales usually have copepod parasites known as whale lice. High numbers in one whale suggested the animal was debilitated or had a compromised immune system.
New California law could jeopardize Alaska’s ivory market
To many, ivory means dead elephants wasting away in the sun. “What they don’t see is walrus ivory, legal harvest, food on the table, economic benefit to rural Alaskans,” says biologist Gay Sheffield.