Officers from the GNWTSA国际影视传媒檚 Department of Environment and Climate Change (ECC) are investigating an incident of potential caribou wastage along the Tibbitt to Contwoyto winter road.
On Feb. 20, Facebook user Keegan Black-Fowler shared photos of what he estimated were about a dozen caribou lying in the snow.
He later told SA国际影视传媒 he was SA国际影视传媒渆nragedSA国际影视传媒� by what he saw.
SA国际影视传媒淧eople that are hungry could have used [the caribou] and would be grateful to have it,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淢y people believe that the caribou will give their lives for us to keep living. This slaughter just shows the greed and disrespect of some people only caring for themselves.
SA国际影视传媒淭hey probably only did that so they can sell their meat and make money.SA国际影视传媒�
ECC was promptly notified about the incident, which generated widespread outrage on social media. The government department assigned some of its renewable resources officers to look into the incident.
Wastage is a violation of section 54(a) of the Wildlife Act of the NWT. It can lead to fines of up to $50,000, imprisonment for a maximum of one year, and potentially both.
According to Black-Fowler, those responsible should have their gun licences suspended, and receive SA国际影视传媒渁 big fineSA国际影视传媒� for each wasted animal.
It remains to be seen if ECC can find the culprits who caused this incident.
The department could not guarantee a successful investigation, but pledged to be SA国际影视传媒渃ommitted to pursuing every lead and utilizing all available resources to identify those responsible for the incident.SA国际影视传媒�
Black-Fowler is not optimistic the investigation will bear fruit.
SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e heard talks about an investigation opening up and I donSA国际影视传媒檛 think theySA国际影视传媒檒l find the culprits,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淏y the looks of it [the culprits] were rushing, as they knew what they were doing was wrong and greedy.SA国际影视传媒�
Earl Evans, a Fort Smith-based M茅tis Elder and member of the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board, called the incident SA国际影视传媒渢errible.SA国际影视传媒�
Unfortunately, itSA国际影视传媒檚 not the first time heSA国际影视传媒檚 been made aware of caribou wastage.
SA国际影视传媒淗appens every year on the ice road,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
Some NWT residents have suggested that access to the ice road should be limited in order to reduce the frequency of incidents like this.
Evans shares that opinion, but said SA国际影视传媒渢he talk of closing the ice [road] has went on foreverSA国际影视传媒� with little results.
SA国际影视传媒淲e used those roads to get caribou since ice roads went in in the 1960s,SA国际影视传媒� he added. SA国际影视传媒淲e hunted them every year and for a lot of people itSA国际影视传媒檚 their only chance to get meat for their community.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 difficult because of some people abusing the opportunity. Myself, I like to go up and maybe get some wolves along with caribou. We have to do it in a respectful manner.SA国际影视传媒�
