Unalaska's annual Easter egg hunt did not happen this year because people collected the eggs before the event began.
Recreation Manager Albert Burnham said a large group of people showed up at Tutiakoff Field while Department of Parks, Culture and Recreation (PCR) staff were setting up for the event.
"By the time we realized what was happening and were able to get out there and try to get it stopped, most of the eggs had been gathered," said Burnham. "So when we had the rest of the community show up at the advertised 1 p.m. start time, there just weren't any eggs left."
Burnham said the poachers collected about 4,000 eggs in less than 10 minutes.
While event staffers were present at the time, he declined to say whether they approached the group taking the eggs.
"I don't know if I want to go into that," said Burnham. "PCR is not here to point any fingers at anybody. It's hard to tell exactly what people heard and what all was said."
Burnham said there has been a full review of the situation with event staffers. He also said PCR is putting measures in place – like ensuring there are enough workers to keep community members off the field until the hunt starts – so this doesn't happen again.
