The National Park Service will reinstate a ban on bear baiting across 22 million acres of national preserves in Alaska but stopped short of reversing Trump administration-era rules on the hunting and trapping of caribou, wolves and other animals.
The agency announced Friday it will institute a ban on hunters using bait to lure bears — including the use of items like bacon grease, pancake syrup and dog food — citing concerns that the practice could create risks to humans, bears and property by encouraging animals to associate food with people.
“The amended rule will advance wildlife conservation goals and objectives, including a prohibition on bear baiting in our national preserves, as mandated under the NPS Organic Act of 1916,” NPS Alaska Regional Director Sarah Creachbaum said in a statement. “We take our responsibilities under [the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act] seriously and the new rule reflects our commitment to providing conscientious service to the American public.”
Environmentalists and wildlife advocates praised the bear-baiting prohibition but criticized the Biden administration for allowing other practices that opponents described as abhorrent.
