Wildlife officials with the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture are currently conducting a population survey of woodland caribou herds in the central and south coast regions of the island. The survey will continue until late March and is a key component of the department’s commitment to sustainably manage the province’s caribou populations.

The survey encompasses areas east of Lapoile Bay to the Bay d’ Espoir Highway and northward to the Trans-Canada Highway. This region includes the Pot Hill, Gaff Topsails, Grey River, Buchan’s and Lapoile caribou herds.

As part of the survey, a number of caribou will be marked using a highly visible red paint, making the animals easier to identify. The process of marking of the caribou, and the paint itself does not pose any health risk to the animal.  The paint will no longer be visible once the caribou shed their winter coat in the spring.

Low-level flying aircraft can expected to be seen when survey activity is taking place.

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Media contact
Craig Renouf
Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
709-637-2923, 640-6922
craigrenouf@gov.nl.ca