Boycott Alaska tourism- Aerial gunning of wolves must end!

Darien, Conn — Friends of Animals just renewed a call to the public to avoid Alaska this travel season.

The recharged boycott follows a ruling by the Superior Court of Alaska that the state’s aerial wolf-shooting scheme is invalid. Rather than stop the gunning, the state’s Board of Game hastily made up new rules and started offering permits again.

Supporters worldwide can endorse the Alaska tourism boycott by joining the “I’d Rather Be Here Than in Alaska” campaign. Photographs of boycott supporters holding signs reading “Boycott Alaska,” “I’d Rather Be Here Than in Alaska,” and similar statements will be featured on the webpage www.boycott-alaska.org (to be activated on 17 February 2006).

The idea, brought to the Friends of Animals’ blog by Francis Murray of Juneau, Alaska, follows a lawsuit brought by Friends of Animals and individual plaintiffs which temporarily halted Alaska wolf control in January.

On the 17th of January, the airborne hunting permits were recalled following the Superior Court ruling that the Board of Game failed to follow its own regulations. With the permits withdrawn and the hunter-pilot teams grounded, the boycott on travel to Alaska was suspended.

Needless to say, the Board did not appreciate being told “No.” On the 29th of January, the Board called an “emergency” meeting. In addition to repealing all requirements and limitations that apply generally to wolf control — the basis for the Court ruling that the aerial wolf control scheme was invalid — the Board also barred related public notice and input.

One-hundred fifty-seven gunners and pilots may now get back in the air, chase wolves to exhaustion, and then shoot them. Having already killed nearly 450 wolves under the airborne hunting permits since 2003, Alaska officials want 400 more dead this season.

Friends of Animals’ new webpage will unveil the highs and lows where folks would rather be than in Alaska. Pictures are arriving from individuals and groups near iconic landmarks and destinations, lines at local banks and post offices, and packed subway cars.

“I’d Rather Be Here Than in Alaska” pictures can be submitted electronically to submissions@boycott-alaska.org

Or submit photos by mail to:

Friends of Animals
777 Post Road
Darien, CT U.S. 06820

Boycott Alaska- Save The Wolves