Mr. Speaker, I recently had the pleasure of joining our dedicated and professional team of wildlife experts from the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, while conducting a caribou population survey of the Grey Islands, located off the Great Northern Peninsula. During this survey work, I was given the opportunity to learn more the about the department’s caribou relocation program in this region, and the well-being of 12 caribou (three male and nine female) brought to the islands in 2019.  Since the 1960s, relocation programs have been carried out on the Island to sustainably manage caribou populations.

During the early 1990s, the Grey Islands herd reached a peak of 578 animals, but had fallen to single digits when surveyed in 2016. This prompted the development of a management plan.

The re-establishment of an offshore caribou herd on the Grey Islands is significant, as it offers a means to safeguard the long-term existence of caribou populations in the event of a catastrophic occurrence impacting insular Island herds. It is hoped this initiative will also provide new hunting opportunities as the herd grows.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that during the survey conducted a few weeks ago, 10 of the 12 caribou, nine females and one male were identified as healthy and in great shape. The other good news is that most of the females were spotted with calves.

Mr. Speaker, these are excellent survival rates, and encouraging news for the success of the relocation program, and the future growth and success of the Grey Islands herd.

Thank you Mr. Speaker.