In Nature | By Fogo Island Inn | March 20, 2019
Newfoundland Caribou Population Decline Not Alarming, Provincial Biologist Says
"Newfoundland’s caribou population is only a third of what it used to be, but it’s not something that should be sounding alarm bells," says Wayne Barney, senior biologist with the Department of Natural Resources wildlife division.
The population peaked in the mid-'90s at approximately 95,000, and current estimates set it at just under 30,000 animals.
“The cycle for caribou is quite long and it generally doesn’t show signs of recovery in an annual perspective that we see from year-to-year,” Barney said, noting it took decades for the herd to reach its peak.
After a couple of concerning years, Fogo Island, with 317 caribou in 2018, has shown signs of improvement."
Read the full article from the Telegram here: https://www.thetelegram.com/news/local/newfoundland-caribou-population-decline-not-alarming-provincial-biologist-284405/
Image: Gordon Slade
