Population monitoring: Leaf River migratory caribou herd

QUÉBEC CITY, Dec. 13, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - The Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs (MFFP) has released updated population information on the Leaf River migratory caribou herd. As of November 2018, the data show that the population is still declining.

Demographic indicators (percentage of males, females and calves and their survival rates) suggest that the herd's population, which now stands at roughly 187,000 animals, has declined by approximately 10% since November 2017. This finding is consistent with the overall downward trend observed in the last 15 years. Population numbers have fallen significantly over the period, from more than 600,000 animals in the early 2000s to around 209,000 in November 2017.

Progress is being made with the Leaf River Herd Management Plan, prepared in collaboration with the Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Coordinating Committee. The plan will be presented to key wildlife management partners for consultation. In addition, the Québec Government continues to monitor migratory caribou herds and to work in collaboration with the Caribou Ungava research program.

Sport hunting has been closed since February 1, 2018, and considering the trend being observed, there are no plans to reopen it in the medium term.

For information on the MFFP and to learn more about its activities and achievements, visit mffp.gouv.qc.ca and the following social media pages:

https://www.facebook.com/ForetsFauneParcs 
https://twitter.com/MFFP_Quebec

Source:

Nicolas Bégin

Media Relations

Direction des communications

Tel. [phone], ext. 3061

SOURCE Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs