Conservation Measures Created to Combat Decline in Caribou Population

The provincial government has released conservation measures in an effort to address an alarming decline in the George River caribou herd.

A recent census has shown a dramatic decline in the number of caribou.

The George River caribou herd is now estimated to contain approximately 74, 131 animals.

That’s a large decline from the last count which was estimated at approximately 385, 000 caribou in 2001.

That population was also a steep decline from the estimated 776, 000 caribou in a 1993 census.

The provincial government has taken steps to combat the ongoing decline.

The commercial caribou hunt, non-resident hunting through outfitters and the resident caribou license system have all been suspended.

The allowable harvest has also been reduced from two caribou to one for each licensed harvester.