Alaska man charged with illegally killing polar bear
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) – A 35-year-old Alaska man is charged with killing a polar bear in violation of federal law.
Alaska’s Energy Desk reports Chris Gordon of Kaktovik shot the bear outside his home.
Federal prosecutors say Gordon left the carcass there for five months without salvaging any part of it.
Ryan Tansey, a federal prosecutor, says Gordon allegedly left butchered whale meat outside his home, which attracted the bear.
Gordon declined to comment about the case, which is scheduled for an August court appearance in Fairbanks.
Self-defense killings of animals are allowed under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
But Tansey says Gordon did not report the polar bear or tag it as required.
The North Slope village has become a destination for tourists and polar bears in a warming Arctic.