Snowmobilers taunting caribou herd, wildlife officers say

Wildlife officers on Newfoundland'swest coast are investigating complaints thatsnowmobilershave been chasing, circling and harassing a small caribou herd near Stephenville.

After receiving several calls from witnesses who said they saw the animals a herd of approximately 20 to30 being disturbedbetween Black Duck Siding and StephenvilleCrossing, wildlife officerTravisClannonsaid officialsbegan investigating.

"These are individualswho are driving up too close to these caribou," Clannon told The Corner Brook Morning Show.

It's probably going to result in injurythat they might succumb to later on- Wildlife Officer Travis Clannon

"They are circling the animals, chasing after them or running them off snowmobile trails in some instances."

Clannonis urging snowmobilers to use discretion when driving past the caribou, and warns that intimidating them can be deadly.

"The deep snow is hard enough for the animals to walk in, let alone trying torun after being chased," he said.

"You can almost guarantee that if you're forcing them to run under those conditions, that it's probably going to result in injurythat they might succumb to later on."

Fines start at $1,000

Clannonsaid the same rules apply to other wildlife, such as moose and coyote.

"We are very fortunate to live in a province where we can see these on any given day try and be a bit respectful to them."

Fish and wildlife officers have stepped up patrols in the areas where the snowmobilers were seen intimidating the herd.

So far, no charges have been laid.

The fine for interfering with wildlife runs between $1,000 and$5,000.