Had an interesting conversation with an old friend yesterday. We were discussing the beleagered Nelchina Caribou Herd. For years that herd has suffered Predation from both Wolves and Bears. Especially during the spring calving season.This Caribou herd is in close proximity to and completely surrounded by the highway system. They are in an area that makes them easily observed, and the health of the herd can be assessed.
There was a particuler Wolf Pack that had been observed killing the Caribou Calves during the spring. At the time we had a Democratic Governor that bowed to the Environmental Groups. This Governor refused to allow preditor control. His answer was to feed the wolves on Roak Kill from the highway and Rail Road, and prevent them from going in and killing the Baby Caribou. So all winter they F&G crews hauled dead Moose and Caribou into the area to keep these wolves satisfied. The wolves became habituated to being fed, and were waiting for each load of fresh meat. The pack did not travel from the area, and did not present any problem at the location. They seemed to be very happy, staying in one place and eating the food provided, not having to work for it and becoming fat. In other words it looked like they were becoming very fat and lazy.
Then came Calving Season. Suddenly no wolves at the feeding site. Biologist jumped in their plane and flew the calving grounds. There were the well fed wolves, killing the calves. They were not eating them, just on a killing spree. Due to thre fact they were well fed and not killing to eat, the number of kills was way higher than other years when they stopped to eat. The following day when the biologist made ground observations, they found that most kills were not eaten, the ones that had been fed from, only the tonge had been eaten off the babies. A few cows had been killed, and the unborn babies were partiatially eaten.
I personally have observed wolves chasing Caribou before calving season. The pack will single out an animal. They will chase it till it is so tired it can hardly run any farther. Then one wolf will run in and rip the Caribou's belly open. When the intestines fall out and hit the ground the Caribou will stop running and just stand there dying. The wolves will then go target another animal. I watched the wolves kill over 250 animals that day, and not feed on a single one. The Eagles, Ravens, Coyotes, Foxes, and Bears in the area had a feast. But most of the Caribou just laid there and rotted.
Now you guys down South have had them shoved down your throats. And they are still wanting to put more in other states. You guys need to band togeather to fight this. It will do you no good. When they kill all the Elk, they will go for the Deer. When all the Deer are gone, they will start looking for livestock. When the livestock numbers get smaller and the ranchers and farmers are protecting their herds what will be targeted then. Targets of oppertunity, hikers, joggers, dog walkers, kids? Laugh do you? Ask the Dog Walkers in Eagle River. Ask the teachers in Chignik.
Oh and they do love to eat dogs.
