Over the past several days approximately 45 Quebec Innu hunters have been in Labrador hunting caribou from the endangered Joir River herd. Before the hunt began the herd was estimated at a mere 100 remaining animals. Since entering the area wildlife officials estimate the hunters have killed 40 of those animals and are continuing in their hunt.
The Newfoundland and Labrador government has complained to the Quebec government about a group of Quebec hunters that is apparently killing caribou that belong to a threatened herd in southern Labrador.
The Joir River caribou are protected under both the Provincial Endangered Species Act and the Federal Species at Risk Act.
Conservation officials say the group is using high-powered rifles while firing from their snowmobiles.
Officials have been watching the killing from a helicopter but their attempts to land and end the slaughter have been met with threatening actions by the hunters.
To date neither Quebec, the home Province of the hunters who hail from the Romaine, St. Augustine and Natasquan bands, nor the Federal government has made any move to assist in protecting the animals or putting an end to this illegal hunt slaughter of the last remaining Joir River caribou.
Newfoundland and Labrador Minister Kathy Dunderdale says the killings are "senseless and unnecessary," considering that hunting is permitted of the much larger George River caribou herd in the same region.
"If this killing continues, we run the risk of losing the entire herd.”
"The Quebec Innu are fully aware of the regulations and why they are required, and this was reiterated directly to the hunting party by our officers," Dunderdale added.
"Our requests that they respect provincial and federal laws ... are being ignored."
Based on the lack of response by authorities it appears Newfoundland and Labrador’s requests are not only being ignored by the Innu hunters but by the Federal and Quebec governments as well.
