The 2008 caribou health monitoring program came to a
close this week, with 48 samples provided to the Department of
Environment and Conservation by resident hunters for analysis. In total,
348 caribou samples have been submitted since the program was
implemented in 2006.
"The tremendous response over the past three years
illustrates the interest and concern resident hunters have for the
resource," said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment
and Conservation. "The caribou samples, along with information about the
hunt in general, permit our wildlife officials to better understand the
causes of the current caribou population decline."
The program was developed to acquire information on
the body condition of woodland caribou across the island portion of the
province. The sample includes the left kidney, right lower leg, tagged
jawbone, fecal sample, portion of backfat, kill location and licence
number. The collected samples have been processed at the wildlife lab in
Corner Brook, and the results will be analyzed to determine the body
conditions of current caribou populations. The findings will then be
compared with the data gathered in previous years.
"I am very thankful to all hunters who participated in
the program this year and I encourage their future involvement," said
Minister Johnson. "It is the co-operative relationship between hunters
and our wildlife officials which helps further our efforts in mitigating
the decline of these animals. The information we gather is a cornerstone
of our strategy to preserve and protect this important species."
Resident hunters who sent in a completed caribou
sample package had their names entered for a prize draw. The draw took
place at the wildlife office in Corner Brook on January 31 and the
winners are:
