Leaders in the Alaska Native village of Point Hope are asking Gov. Sarah Palin (R) to allow them to punish the people responsible for killing and discarding caribou.

The village says the Alaska State Troopers has mishandled the case and exaggerated the number of dead animals. Less than a dozen caribou were found, far lower than the 60-plus claimed by the troopers.

The slaughter occurred in early July. Troopers say they have identified suspects but claim residents of Point Hope and Kivalina are not cooperating with the investigation.

Get the Story:
Point Hope seeks to handle punishment for caribou waste (The Anchorage Daily News 8/6)
pwlat

Related Stories:
More than 60 caribou carcasses discarded in Alaska (7/30)