Caribou Starving: Outfitter

[Jacalynn Furlong]

An island outfitter says he's fairly sure the George River Caribou herd is starving to death. A census completed in July shows the Labrador herd at approximately 27,600 animals -- a significant decrease from the 2010 census which indicated there were 74,000 animals. Wayne Holloway says the fundamental problem was the peak population was well beyond the carrying capacity of the land. Holloway told VOCM Open Line with Randy Simms, that given where the numbers are, there shouldn't be a harvest this year. Holloway says it is in everyone's interest to protect the resource.

 

He says every animal that is being removed extends the herd's recovery time. Holloway says it comes down to making the sacrifices now in the hope of a rapid recovery or you keep hunting until the herd is eliminated.

 

 

Meanwhile, the MHA for Torngat Mountains says over hunting is not a factor in the decline of the George River caribou herd. Liberal Randy Edmunds says his greatest concern is that the decline in the herd could affect Labrador people who have caribou in their regular diet. Edmunds would like to see the provincial government establish a Total Allowable Harvest, and  to continue to work with aboriginal groups.

Edmunds believes that the decline is due to several factors, the biggest being the natural cycle of that species. He says predator populations like wolf and black bear are very high right now, which is also having an impact.  Edmunds says he does not believe over hunting caused the drop in caribou numbers.  

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