Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 22/02) - Wildlife officials and long-time residents are scratching their heads after buffalo tracks were spotted only eight kilometres from city limits.

Raymond Bourget, senior wildlife officer with Renewable Resources, Wildlife, and Economic Development, refused to disclose the exact location of the tracks -- citing safety concerns and a desire to leave the animal undisturbed -- but did say he's never heard of buffalo coming this close to Yellowknife before.

"It is quite a significant sighting," said Bourget. "I don't know when the last one has been seen -- this far North -- but's certainly not in recent times."

While buffalo are common south of Frank Channel to Fort Providence, they are rarely seen on the other side.

The tracks belonging to a single animal were reported to RWED Monday morning. Officers investigated later in the afternoon and determined they were indeed made by a buffalo -- although the animal itself hasn't been sighted yet.

"I think it was just wandering around feeding, and for whatever reason just kept going," said Bourget.

Buffalo feed on grasses and sedges under the snow during winter.

Ndilo elder Philip Goulet, age 82, said he's never heard of a buffalo coming this close to town either.

"They never use to come this close," said Goulet. "Maybe there's too many of them.

"It's hard to believe," added Goulet, noting that Frank Channel -- this early in winter -- would be particularly treacherous to cross.

Bourget warned that it is illegal to hunt buffalo outside of the Mackenzie Game Sanctuary on the North side of the river.

"If someone does happen to come across it, they cannot just harvest it outside the hunting area. It is protected," said Bourget.