Nunavut gov't investigating possible illegal caribou harvest near Arctic Bay

Nunavut wildlife enforcement officers are investigating the possibility that female caribou were harvested near Arctic Bay.

It is illegal to hunt female caribou in the Baffin region, as per the hunting quota introduced in 2015.

• Nunavut announces 250 caribou quota for Baffin Island

• A quarter of all Baffin Island caribou tags issued in 2015 went unused

Seasonally, hunting tags are distributed to Qikiqtaaluk communities, allowing a total of 250 male caribou to be killed in theregion.

The Department of Environment is working closely with the local hunters and trappers organization on the investigation, according to government spokespersonHayward Harris.

"Once the investigation is complete, appropriate action will be taken, consistent with the Nunavut Wildlife Act and Regulations," Harris saidin anemail.