Resident caribou hunters are being asked to participate in the caribou health monitoring program by submitting specific carcass samples from caribou killed during the 2007 big game hunting season.

"The information provided from the samples will help wildlife officials to better understand the causes of the current caribou population decline," said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation.

The caribou health monitoring program is a two-year program that began last year.

Over 120 sample packages were submitted by resident hunters from the 2006 caribou hunt.

Resident caribou hunters are being asked to complete a data sheet that provides information about the hunting experience and the amount of backfat on the caribou. Additionally, the department is asking hunters to submit samples of the jawbone, legbone and left kidney.

Minister Johnson thanked hunters who participated last year and urged resident hunters to take part again this year. "The more information we gather from hunters, the better able we will be in understanding and making informed decisions about the woodland caribou," said the minister.

The department has sent letters and information packages to all resident hunters with their hunting licence. Resident hunters who did not receive a letter and information package may still participate in the program. Information about the caribou health monitoring program and the 2006 results are available at www.gov.nl.ca/env/wildlife/caribouhealth/

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Media contact:
Diane Hart
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 685-4401
dianehart@gov.nl.ca

2007 11 02                                                   9:50 a.m.