Meat dumped in Boot Lake Park
Environment and Natural Resources says it could have drawn bears to playground
Shawn Giilck
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, May 22, 2014
INUVIK
Environment and Natural Resources officials in Inuvik have launched an investigation following the discovery off three bags of caribou meat illegally dumped around town.
This photo shows the caribou meat illegally dumped in three different spots around Inuvik, including the Boot Lake Park beach and playground last week. - photo courtesy of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
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Toby Halle, a renewable resources officer in Inuvik, said it's not uncommon to discover such violations, although it's not a regular occurrence either.
The garbage bags full of an estimated 90 kg (200 pounds) of meat were found around May 14 on Navy Road, at the Inuvik landfill site, and at the Boot Lake Park in some bushes between the beach and the children's playground.
The latter is of particular concern to the department because it represents an immediate potential public safety threat with bears coming out of hibernation.
It's unlikely the bag had been there for very long when it was discovered.
"The ravens hadn't gotten at it yet," Halle said. "And they're usually the first things that do. The person who reported it heard and saw flies."
Bears have begun emerging from their hibernation, he said, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has had a few calls.
It's a particularly dangerous spot to try to dispose of meat like that, Halle said, because chances are any bears attracted inside town limits will wind up being destroyed.
It's a potential menace for anyone walking the Boot Lake Trail or visiting the park, especially children and pets, Halle added, since bears will defend a found source like the meat, particularly in spring when other food sources are low.
Last fall, there were reports of a grizzly being seen on the trail, so the animals are definitely in the area.
The department doesn't typically issue media releases about such wastage, Halle said, unless there's a significant amount or there is a potential danger to the public.
The Inuvik office likely wouldn't have issued the release if the meat dumping had been confined to the further stretches of Navy Road or the landfill, he said. The Boot Lake location meant a different approach needed to be taken.
He said there was no evidence to indicate the same person might have dumped all three bags.
Halle said he suspected someone might have had problems with the deep freeze or perhaps stored the meat improperly outside and wanted to dispose of it.
The proper disposal procedure would be to obtain a free permit from Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Halle said, and then it would be sent to the landfill.
He said he suspected whoever threw the meat out didn't know the procedure, or perhaps couldn't be bothered to go through the steps.
"It could be laziness, although I don't like saying that," he said.
The fine for wasting meat like this is $685, Halle said.
"All meat, including the necks and ribs, must be taken and used," stated an accompanying media release from ENR.
"The only parts of big game that may be left in the field are the head, lower legs, internal parts (lungs, guts, etc.) and meat damaged from gunshot."
People having information regarding about incidents, or people who see any instances or evidence of meat wastage, can the Inuvik office at 867-678-6650 or the Report a Poacher toll-free line at 1-866-762-2437.
