Quebec caribou hunters arrested in Labrador

Two hunters from Quebec have been charged with killing endangered caribou in Labrador.

Medrick and Alex Guy Mestenapeo werearrestedThursday and charged with killing and possessing an endangered or threatened animal, as well as unlawfully carrying a firearm or ammunition.

Two caribou, four guns and three snowmobiles were all seized by provincial conservation officers.

Conservation officers said fourmenwere huntingin the Joir River area of western Labrador, where the endangered Red Wine caribou live. The area is closed to hunting.

Medrick and Alex Guy Mestenapeo, who are both Innu,were in custody in Happy Valley Goose Bay, central Labrador, Thursday. They are expected to appear in courtfor a bail hearing Friday.

Officers continue to search for the other two hunters they believe were involved.

In February, agroup of Innu hunters from Quebeckilled hundreds of caribouin western Labrador to protest last year's New Dawn agreement between Labrador Innu and the Newfoundland and Labrador government.

The agreement offered the Labrador Innu hunting rights within 34,000 square kilometres of land, plus $2 million annually in compensation for flooding caused by construction of the Churchill Falls hydroelectric project 40 years ago.

The Quebec Innu said they were unfairly excluded from the agreement andclaim theykilled only George River caribou in the February incident.

TheNew Dawn signing was hailed by Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams as heralding a new era of partnership with the Innu people of Labrador.

However Quebec Innu fearthey may losehunting privileges in parts of Labrador where they say their ancestors traditionally lived and hunted.