Officials from the Northwest Territories Environment Department say that 16 caribou were poached and their remains left behind near Fletcher Lake (about 310 km northeast of Yellowknife).
According to Wednesday’s news alert by the Environment and Natural Resources Department on Wednesday, piles of guts and heads were found during an aerial patrol Sunday at the southwestern shore.
Officials believe that the animals were taken in a no-hunting zone. Access to large swathes of the zone can be made by road to the mines for diamonds.
According to the news release, “The mobile zone exists for a reason.” The Bathurst herd has shrunk 99% since 1986.
The department states that this is the fourth investigation of illegal harvesting in a mobile zone with no hunting this year and it’s asking for the public’s assistance.
It urges people to call 867-873-78181 if they have any questions.
