by Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Mar 09/98) - Controversy over the wolf hunt at Rennie Lake flared last week, threatening to re-ignite anti-fur campaigns.

At stake in the NWT is an industry that employs 2,235 trappers and hunters and generates a total of $1.7 million in sales last year.

Wolf fetched the highest price per pelt at auction last year, averaging $256. The 652 pelts harvested accounted for $167,855 of total sales.

Marten was the number 1 seller, averaging $84.81 per pelt, for a total of $602,090.

The territorial government has adopted a "vigilant" approach to animal rights campaigns, said Bob McLeod, assistant deputy minister for resources, wildlife and economic development.

"It's something, as a government, that we take very seriously. We've been up against the wall on the seal issue and the fur issue before, so we are concerned."

McLeod said critical media coverage of the Rennie Lake wolf hunt will have, if any, only a short-term effect on fur prices.

"The market will continue to maintain its position," said McLeod. "The past year, at the retail level sales were weak, but much of that can be attributed to El Nino and devaluation of Asian currencies. Otherwise fur sales continued to hold their own."

McLeod said prices remained stable and most lots sold out at an auction in New York City last month.

"This (last week's newspaper articles critical of the hunt) is just another example of animal rights people twisting facts to suit their purpose," said McLeod.

Fur council of Canada executive vice- president Allan Herscovici said the council is concerned about the public reaction that can be sparked by media portrayal of fur issues.

"We know there are some groups that don't think we should be using any animals at all," said Herscovici. "Because they know most of the public doesn't share that view, they will try to find ways to portray the industry as irresponsible."

Herscovici said that in the coming weeks the council, an advocacy association for the fur industry, will be launching a publicity campaign to demonstrate the industries responsible approach to animal harvesting.