NL Environment Minister Dan Crummell says the George River caribou herd is now down to 14,200.
In an interview with the Labradorian, Crummell says the herd numbered 27,000 two years ago.
Crummell thinks a shortage of a food supply is a factor.
When asked about Muskrat Falls, Crummell responded that the NL government has strong monitoring practices in place when it comes to industrial development.
He adds that if a development is going to have a massive impact on the population of caribou, or any other wildlife, it’s going to be difficult for that development to go ahead.
Meanwhile, according to an NL government press release, the Provincial Government is taking action to further protect the Red Wine Mountain caribou herd.
The government’s latest survey indicates the herd is at an all-time low of approximately 20 animals.
The press release says the government is taking steps to insure that work activity in the area, including at the Muskrat Falls development, involves minimal disturbance to the remaining animals in the herd.
This includes an amendment to the Red Wine Mountain Caribou Monitoring and Mitigation schedule.
The amendment states that all work activities are to be rescheduled if caribou are observed within a 4 km radius of the work area.
Work cannot resume until caribou no longer occupy the area.
Work activities are not permitted within highly used calving areas.
Survival rates for the Red Wine Mountain caribou herd have been monitored since the early 1980’s, with 150 collars deployed.
Populations of all Boreal (woodland or forest-dwelling) caribou in Labrador, including the Red Wine Mountain herd, are designated as threatened under the NL Endangered Species act.
The decline in the Red Wine Mountain herd is consistent with other Boreal caribou herds across North America as ranges and populations continue to shrink.
Note: Some of the facts in this story appear courtesy of the Labradorian.