The deaths of several caribou near Kotzebue this month, in which some meat wasn't taken as required by law, are being investigated by Alaska Wildlife Troopers as wanton waste of game animals.
Troopers said in a Wednesday dispatch that the cases occurred in Game Management Unit 23. The first incident, involving "the unlawful take and wanton waste of multiple cow caribou," was reported in early April near the Kauk River.
"During the course of the investigation, troopers discovered an additional kill site approximately 25 miles northwest on the lower Baldwin Peninsula, consisting of the salvaged carcasses of three cows, two more unsalvaged cow caribou, and a mortally wounded cow caribou," troopers wrote. "This incident occurred near the third week of April."
Troopers said they don't know why all the meat wasn't taken from the two sites but believe the incidents were committed by separate people and were not related.
Authorities ask anyone with information on the cases to call Alaska Wildlife Troopers in Kotzebue at 907-442-3241, or anonymously contact the Wildlife Safeguard hotline at 1-800-478-3377.