The Ministry of Natural Resources is concerned a bull woodland caribou—first sighted south of Thunder Bay two weeks ago—could be accidentally shot by hunters who might mistake it for a deer or moose.
Last Wednesday (Oct. 10), the caribou was sighted again—this time in the Pass Lake area east of Thunder Bay. The following day, it was observed along the Lake Superior shoreline near Hurkett.
If you have any knowledge of the movements of this animal, contact Rick Gollat, Management Biologist, Thunder Bay District, at 1-807-475-1131.
The MNR is interested in determining the route taken by the caribou, which is well outside its range.
The closest caribou herds are in the Armstrong and Lake Nipigon areas north of Thunder Bay, the Graham area north of Upsala, and the Slate Islands offshore from Terrace Bay.
It has been illegal to shoot a woodland caribou in Ontario since the 1920s.
Caribou are protected under the Species at Risk Act and are classified as “threatened” on the Species at Risk in Ontario list.
Hunters are reminded that it is their legal responsibility to properly identify an animal before shooting. If you are unsure—don’t shoot.
To distinguish caribou from moose or deer, it is important to look at the size, colour, and shape of the body, as well as the size and shape of the antlers.
Caribou are larger than deer but smaller than an adult moose.
They are dark brown, with a pronounced white mane on the neck and shoulder region. They also have noticeable white in the hind region, including the tail.
Moose have a varied dark brown coat with no white patches.
Caribou antlers, although somewhat deer-like in general structure, are very large compared to an average white-tailed deer and unlike moose antlers, which are normally shaped like an open hand.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
