National News

Habitat Loss: Australia’s Endangered Wildlife in Peril. “Environmentalists in Australia say they are appalled that taxpayers' money is being spent to bail out the logging industry. Meanwhile, loggers are accused of destroying forest habitats of endangered wildlife. Al Jazeera's Andrew Thomas reports from Victoria's Central Highlands.” Al Jazeera, 6/10/18 (=)]

US Won’t Prosecute Alaska Grey Whale Kill. “Native hunters from Alaska will not be prosecuted after they used harpoons and guns last year to kill a protected grey whale that strayed into a river from the North Pacific Ocean. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) instead sent three letters advising villages about the law and limits to subsistence whaling, the agency said in a statement provided to The Associated Press. Federal law prohibits the killing of grey whales even though Alaska Natives are allowed to kill other whales. The massive animal strayed into the Kuskokwim River near the Yup'ik village of Napaskiak and was killed on July 27, 2017 in a region where indigenous residents rely on subsistence fishing and hunting as part of their ancient culture and traditions. The 11-metre whale was cut up, with about 9,100 kilograms of meat and blubber reportedly distributed among Alaska Natives in several communities including Napaskiak, Bethel, Tuluksak and Atmautluak.” [AP, 6/8/18 (=)]