Court Upholds Prohibition of Brown Bear Baiting in Alaska's Kenai Refuge

Defenders of Wildlife and a coalition of groups represented by Trustees for Alaska celebrated a U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision on Monday to uphold a 2016 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule that prohibits brown bear baiting on Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. The decision also reaffirms the refuge's decades-long approach to managing the Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area for wildlife viewing and education.

“Victory! The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals delivered a win for brown bears and other wildlife on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge," said Nicole Whittington-Evans, Alaska program director, Defenders of Wildlife. "Prohibiting the baiting of brown bears on the Kenai Refuge is an important reminder of the federal government’s responsibility to manage these public lands in the interest of biological integrity and diversity.”

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Lisa Hupp/USFWS

The Court upheld the Service’s Kenai Rule as entirely reasonable under the Administrative Procedure Act. It also upheld the rule as consistent with the laws governing the National Wildlife Refuge System and Alaska Refuges.

Trustees for Alaska represents Defenders of Wildlife and the following clients in the case: The Alaska Wildlife Alliance, Alaskans for Wildlife, Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges,  Denali Citizens Council, Copper Country Alliance, Kachemak Bay Conservation Society, National Parks Conservation Association, National Wildlife Refuge Association, Northern Alaska Environmental Center, The Wilderness Society, Wilderness Watch, Alaska Chapter of the Sierra Club, Center for Biological Diversity, and the Humane Society of the United States.