Alaska Wildlife Troopers are investigating a report of large scale caribou carnage in Point Hope, on Alaskas North Slope, reports the Arctic Sounder.
The troopers, acting on a tip, travelled to Point Hope on July 19 and discovered multiple kill sights where caribou were shot and left on the ground, according to Beth Ipsen, spokesperson for the Alaska State Troopers.
Ipsen said signs of predation were visible on the carcasses left to rot.
The Troopers are currently working with the Point Hope Village Council to try and identify the suspects.
The Troopers have yet to release more information on the exact number of caribou killed but estimates are between 20 and 40, said Steve Oomittuk, mayor of the City of Point Hope, population about 800.
A town meeting in Point Hope by community members and the village elders council hoped to discover who is responsible.
Oomittuk said the community is disappointed and hopes those responsible will come forward.
The Northwest caribou herd is a major source of subsistence food for the Inupiat,
Who killed the caribou?
Port Hope Alaska is shocked by the slaughter of up to 40 caribou left to rot not far from the North Slope community.
Published: 26.07.2008 14:02
Alaska
15.12.2010 11:10
Alaska filed a lawsuit Dec. 14 in an effort to stop the National Marine Fisheries Service's plan to protect endangered sea lions.
10.12.2010 12:35
The course will lead towards a second Inupiaq Language Certificate program.
Read more 07.12.2010 13:22
"As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, we remember that this breathtaking terrain holds great significance to our nation," the president wrote in a proclamation. "Stretching from the plains of the Arctic Sea to the soaring mountains of the Brooks Range and lush boreal forests of the Alaskan lowlands, the rugged splendor of the Arctic Refuge is among the most profoundly beautiful places in America."
Read more 06.12.2010 14:33
The Golden Seas, which went adrift in the Aleutians last week, is now being towed through high waves.
Read more 04.12.2010 14:24
The Liberia-flagged ship carrying a load of canola seed and thousands of gallons of fuel was drifting toward Atka Island in rough seas.
Read more 04.12.2010 14:08
The bearded seal and ringed seal will be the first Alaskan species since the polar bear to be protected primarily due to threats from climate change.
02.12.2010 14:18
"You can't take shortcuts when it comes to something as fundamental to our survival as the health of the ocean"
Read more 25.11.2010 16:08
The U.S. government is setting aside 484,000 square kilometres in Alaska as a "critical habitat" for polar bears.
Read more 14.11.2010 11:56
A typical shareholder the Kotzebue-based regional Native corporation received about $1,400.
Read more 11.11.2010 12:15
The Center for Biological Diversity sent the federal Environmental Protection Agency and the Coast Guard a letter Nov. 10, saying it would sue in 60 days if the agencies do not correct the spill-response plan's alleged violations.
Read more 10.11.2010 11:15
Government environmental review runs afoul of a court order that required the review, say critics of Chukchi oil drilling.
Read more 09.11.2010 12:11
In the past, large clusters of beak deformities have been associated with environmental pollutants
Read more 05.11.2010 11:23
A U.S. judge asked the United States government Nov. 4 to clarify whether polar bears are endangered.
Read more 30.10.2010 11:22
Research will look at the concerns of villages along the coasts of the Beaufort and Chukchi seas.
Read more