Yellowknife (Oct 29/03) - Hunters and environmental groups are demanding better monitoring systems after a survey has found the Bathurst caribou herd numbers have dropped to almost half of what they were seven years ago.

A population survey conducted by the territorial government shows the current size of the herd is about 186,000 animals, down from an estimated 350,000 caribou in 1996. The herd has been dropping by about 5 per cent every year for the last 10 years.

Kevin O'Reilly, research director at the Canadian Arctic Resources Committee, said a management plan must be in place to address the herd's decline in the region, which stretches from its calving grounds near Bathurst Inlet south towards Great Slave Lake. The area is also recognized for its active mining developments, considered to have the best mineral potential in all of Canada.

"There are outstanding obligations for the government, both territorial and federal, to do a much better job in monitoring the caribou," said O'Reilly. "There is a plan that has been implemented for the most part, but no budget to go along with it."

O'Reilly said that while it isn't unusual to see caribou herd populations fluctuate, mining activity in the area, residential and non-residential hunting and sport hunting can all have a combined affect.

"While a herd is in decline, they are susceptible to all of these activities," he said. "It's getting more and more complex. We need to have ongoing work."

Jim Peterson, owner of Peterson's Point Lake Lodge agreed. But he said hunting outfitters in the NWT are only responsible for taking less than one per cent of the herd each year.

"If these numbers are down, the survey should be done annually. We need to work together, co-operate and coordinate," he said.

Although the dropping numbers may have an impact on his business, Peterson said at this moment there is no cause for alarm.

Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, along with the Nunavut government, aboriginal governments and co-management boards are all responsible for the management of the herd.

Ray Case, RWED's acting director of wildlife and fisheries, said while the government is aware of the increased human activity along the path of the Bathurst range, he believes the herd's decline is mainly a result of natural fluctuations.

Between 1948 and 1960, the numbers were estimated anywhere between 100,000 and 300,000 animals. In 1980, between 160,000 and 220,000 were documented and until this most recent survey, RWED estimated the herd to be at about 350,000 animals. This is based on high-aerial photography over the calving ground.

Case said he supports increased monitoring to determine what measures should be taken as a result of the latest survey.

"We know there is a need for an enhanced monitoring program," he said. "And funding will be an issue for the new government to address."