Phase two of the caribou census for the northern portion of the island has been completed and herd specific estimates are now available for the caribou herds found in the Adies Lake area, Gros Morne, Northern Peninsula, St. Anthony, Hodges Hills and Hampton Downs.

According to the results, the caribou populations in these areas are as follows: Adies Lake (608), Gros Morne (837), Northern Peninsula (5,811), St. Anthony (2,162), Hodges Hills (436), and Hampton Downs (413).

"The second phase of our caribou census confirms the population estimates from phase one of the northern herds count conducted back in the spring," said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation. "Effective management plans are based on such accurate and timely information and, subsequently, there will be no mid-season changes to the proposed management plan for the 2008-09 hunting season."

Phase one of the caribou survey of the northern herds, conducted in March 2008, estimated a total combined population of approximately 10,400 caribou in the survey area which encompasses all areas north of the Trans-Canada Highway from Corner Brook to Halls Bay and a portion of the area north of Grand Falls-Windsor east to the Bay of Exploits. Since caribou are managed on a herd specific basis, as defined by areas where female caribou return for calving, it was not possible to determine herd specific population estimates from the results of the March survey. The spring survey was required to estimate the proportion of the total population that is associated with the various herds occupying the northern areas of the island when females return to their respective calving areas.

"The data we collect provides us with population and habitat information that is necessary to give us a more detailed understanding of the current status of our woodland caribou populations, and enables our government to continue to intervene proactively," said Minister Johnson. "It is important that we have an accurate picture of all the herds in the various regions of the province, as we move forward with our strategy to ensure their sustainability."

Minister Johnson also said that as part of the ongoing research into the current decline in the caribou population, wildlife officials have been capturing and attaching radio collars to big game animals, including caribou and black bears. The information obtained from radio collar studies is used to determine survival and predation rates, habitat use and movement patterns. As such, hunters are reminded to refrain from harvesting any animal which has been radio collared.

In Budget 2008, $3.3 million was allocated as part of the $15.3 million, five-year scientific and management strategy for the island woodland caribou populations. The strategy builds upon earlier efforts to better understand and mitigate the current decline in woodland caribou numbers of 40-60 per cent for most herds on the island portion of the province, as well as the role of predators in this decline.

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