Fort Simpson (Oct 29/04) - There are eight caribou in the Trout Lake area with satellite radio collars around their necks.

The number was originally 10, but two of them have died since the collars were attached by Department of Wildlife biologists last winter. Nic Larter, the Deh Cho's biologist, would like to attach the recovered collars to other caribou, but first he wants the consent of Trout Lake residents. Most of them agreed to the initial 10, but some people were very reluctant, if not outright opposed.

The collaring program allows biologists and First Nations to track the movements of the herds. When migration routes and calving grounds are documented, then the impacts of oil and gas exploration can be measured. In Trout Lake, a proposed seismic program by EnCana can already be better scrutinized with the caribou's welfare in mind due to information obtained through the collaring program, according to Larter.

He broached the issue of collaring wildlife at last week's regional wildlife workshop. Karen Felker, of West Point, asked why ear tags couldn't be used instead. Larter replied that light-weight ear tags tend to fall off easier and have less range. Heavier tags can mutilate the animal's ear, he said.

The new models of collars have a teardrop shape to reduce the risk of chafing. Antennae are primarily on the inside to prevent the collar from catching on branches. The animals can be collared for life or a 2-5 year period, when the collar will detach before its battery dies.

Collars are applied after animals are briefly chased by helicopter and caught by a net gun. Larter noted that great care is taken in selecting the candidates and applying the collar, all as quickly as possible.

"We don't want to abuse our wildlife," he said.

Robert Lamalice, of the Hay River Reserve, expressed concern that the collars may reduce an animal's lifespan by making it more vulnerable to predators.

Larter acknowledged, studies have shown that collared animals have lower survival rates, but newer models of collars are designed to reduce that impact, he said. He added that he knows of one collared caribou that lived for 10 years.

Felker wanted to know if sport hunters could use global positioning systems (GPS) to track caribou movements. Larter explained that a special receiver is needed.

Another topic discussed at the wildlife workshop was the moose monitoring program, which was carried out by aerial surveys last winter. As well, there was talk of changing the location of the youth ecology camp, which has been held in Trout Lake for the past few summers.

Some delegates also wanted to see multiple ecology camps held in different seasons.