Bathurst caribou herd shrinks further: N.W.T. survey

The Bathurst caribou herd in the Northwest Territories continues to decline in numbers, according to the latest government survey.

Preliminary results from the Environment Department's survey show a continuing decline of the territory's most widely harvested caribou herd. Specific numbers have not yet been provided.

The results come from an aerial survey of the Bathurst herd that the department led in June. That survey mirrors another one done on the Ahiak and Beverley caribou herds, which also show declining numbers.

N.W.T. Environment Minister Michael Miltenberger said more needs to be done to address caribou numbers, such as changing resource development, stopping the impacts of global warming and continuing to set new rules for caribou hunters.

"The entire harvest for all harvesters is going to require further scrutiny. In some regions up north, they've totally done away with the commercial and sports hunt," Miltenberger said Thursday.

"Down in the North Slave, that's the only area of significant debate and discussion. Those are discussions we have... It's being thrown around, for example, that there should be a point beyond which no four-wheeled vehicles are allowed. So it's a very difficult issue."

The caribou issue will again be addressed this summer, as the department holds information sessions with aboriginal organizations, co-management boards and other stakeholders.

Government scientists, along with observers from several First Nations, conducted the June survey by plane, flying about 120 metres above the ground between Kugluktuk, Nunavut, and the east side of Bathurst Inlet.

It was the most extensive survey since the N.W.T. government's caribou surveying methodology passed a review by the Alberta Research Council earlier this year. 

The final count results for the Bathurst herd will be available in September.

A survey was also done on the Cape Bathurst, and Bluenose East and West herds. Those results will be available in August.