Federal wildlife officials have proposed killing caribou on Kagalaska Island, a section of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge that is threatened by the big game animals.
Caribou swim to the protected area from Adak Island, the Associated Press reported. Introduced as big game for military personnel to hunt, caribou are an invasive species on Kagalaska Island, where they can damage lichen and other vegetation and make trails that don't belong in the habitat.
"Things that belong out there ought to stay out there as much as possible," refuge manager Steve Delehanty told the AP. "Things that don't belong out there ought to not be out there, as much as possible."
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wants to prevent a new caribou herd from forming on the island by killing the animals starting next year. In 2012, five caribou were shot, while officials believe that 15 more may be on Kagalaska.
The caribou that were introduced to Adak Island in 1958 as recreational hunting game for military personnel have expanded to rather alarming numbers. Back when 1,000 to 6,000 people lived on the island, game hunters kept the herd at around 200 to 400 animals, but since the base closed, the caribou have grown to some 2,700 strong.
Since people are their only predators on Adak, hunters can shoot the big game year-round. In the last five years, around 280 caribou have been killed during hunting each year, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Federal officials are accepting public comments on the proposal until Oct. 29. Information about submitting comments can be found here.
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