Caribou health monitoring program for 2006

Clyde Jackman, Minister of Environment and Conservation, today announced a caribou health monitoring program for 2006 and encouraged all resident hunters to participate. The program is being implemented for the island portion of the province.

"This is an important monitoring program that will help our wildlife officials better understand the causes of the current caribou population decline," said the minister. "We encourage all successful caribou hunters on the island to participate by providing specific body measurements and samples." Hunters are being asked to measure and record the amount of backfat on the caribou and to also submit the jawbone, legbone and left kidney.

Resident, either-sex caribou licence holders for several caribou management areas have been forwarded a letter encouraging their voluntary participation, and instruction sheets indicating the information and samples required. The Newfoundland and Labrador Outfitters Association is also asking all outfitters to collect and submit samples from caribou killed by non-resident hunters.

Resident hunters whose completed sample package is received by the Wildlife Division office in Corner Brook before 4:00 p.m., January 15, 2007 will have their name entered in a prize draw. Three prizes of hunting/fishing gear valued at $100, $200, and $300 will be awarded.

Caribou hunters on the island who did not receive a letter and information package may participate in the program. To obtain a copy of the letter and instructions about how to submit samples, visit the government web site at www.gov.nl.ca/env/wildlife/caribouhealth

The minister welcomed continued input in wildlife management by all hunters and thanked hunters for their support and involvement in this program. "The more data we collect about the woodland caribou the better able we are to understand the causes for the population declines we are currently experiencing. Hunters have historically played an integral role in the successful management of our wildlife and we look forward to the continued cooperation of both resident hunters and our island non-resident caribou outfitters," said Minister Jackman.

Media contact: Diane Hart, Communications, (709) 729-2575, 685-4401.

2006 09 06                                     10:30 a.m.