This muskox carcass was found dumped near Sachs Harbour. Someone had killed it and removed its legs before leaving the body to rot. Authorities with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources are looking for information that will lead to finding the culprit or culprits. - photo courtesy of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources |
Wildlife authorities seek info in meat wastage
Muskox carcass with legs removed found near Sachs Harbour
Chris Puglia
Northern News Services
Published Monday, March 3, 2014
IKAAHUK/SACHS HARBOUR
Officers from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources are seeking the public's help in tracking down those responsible for wasting wild game near Sachs Harbour.
Photos of the muskox carcass surfaced on Feb. 17 that shows the animal had its legs removed and was left to rot in the snow three kilometres from the community. This sparked the investigation which is being described as a "travesty."
"An animal lost its life to have its legs cut off and eaten, and I am assuming they were eaten," said Toby Halle, renewable resources officer III in Inuvik.
Presently, the department has an anonymous source working with officers to determine who is responsible for wasting the meat, but Halle said they are hoping more details come to light.
He added that although any information is good, it can be difficult to prosecute such cases without an identified source, which is challenging in small communities.
"It's difficult in a town of 100 people to stick it to someone," Halle said, adding witnesses sometimes fear coming forward because of possible retribution.
Meat wastage has always been an issue across the NWT, said Halle, who has worked as a renewable resources officer for 10 years.
He was unable to provide stats but says the trend seems to be constant.
"We're not seeing that many more frequently, nor is it getting better," he said.
Halle also emphasized that the number of cases can also likely be attributed to a small percentage of hunters.
"It's just a few bad apples," he said. "Most hunters are really good about what they do and very knowledgeable."
Those caught wasting meat in the NWT can be ticketed $575 or, if it goes to court, face a $1,000 fine and two years in prison.
Halle said the punishment is meager compared to other jurisdictions in Canada.
"In the grand scale, it's small potatoes," he said.
However, the territory's new Wildlife Act, which was passed late last year and is in the process of being implemented, includes harsher punishments for wasting meat.
