As part of the ongoing management efforts for caribou in the province, the Department of Environment and Conservation advises the public that it will conduct a mark-resight population census of the Middle Ridge caribou herd in the eastern and central portions of the island, beginning later this week and concluding by month's end.

As part of a mark-resight census, there is a requirement for a number of caribou to be marked using a highly visible red paint. Once a number of animals in the herd have been marked, they will be counted and the relative ratio of marked animals versus unmarked animals will assist in establishing the total population estimate for the herd.

Neither the marking of the caribou, nor the paint itself, poses any harm to the animal. As the marked caribou lose their winter coat this spring, the red marking will fall off the animals. The public are also advised that low-level flying aircraft will be used in the area to conduct much of this work.

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Media contact:

Melony O'Neill
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 698-0928
moneill@gov.nl.ca