The Newfoundland and Labrador officials are making significant cuts in caribou hunting after a new population count. The current government estimates put the George River herd at roughly 74,000 animals which is just 10% of the 776,000 estimated in 1993.

According to CBC News [2] The government announced Tuesday it has abolished the commercial hunt and is forbidding outfitters from taking non-resident hunters on trips to the herd.

As well, a caribou license transfer program for Labrador residents — which allowed a license holder to arrange for someone else to hunt the animal — has been suspended. Licensed hunters will be allowed to kill one animal instead of the current limit of two.

With a 90% drop in herd counts in just 17 years, it seems that further studies should be undertaken to examine what caused the disappearance of 700,000 caribou.