Relocation of caribou 'needs to happen as fast as possible' : Michipicoten First Nation

Residents of Michipicoten First Nation are concerned the promised relocation of caribou from a nearbyisland is not happening fast enough.

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry announced it would move the animals from Michipicoten Island to Slate Island, 130 kilometres north.

The population of caribou onMichipicotenIsland is being wiped out by wolves.

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• Last Lake Superior caribou herd could vanish thanks to hungry wolves

Leo Lepiano is the lands and resources consultation coordinator for the First Nation.He says the MNRFhas scheduled the relocation of theanimals formid January, once a protocol is written and reviewed for the moving of caribou.

"The job for writing the protocol has been given to one of the research scientists, who, as of last week,seemed to suggest that there were still 100 caribou left on Michipicoten Island. When the best data which comes from the MNRFsuggests that there are now under 30 caribou," Lepianosays.

Lepiano estimates that every two weeks 21 per cent of the caribou population is dying. He expect just 16 caribou to be left on the island by mid January, when the relocation is expected to happen.

The community hasbeen trying to get action on the problem since April, when MichipicotenFirst Nation Chief Patricia Tangiefirst sent a letter to the ministry.

"This is extremely frustratinggiven that we've been alerting them for months that a crisis is underway on the island," Lepianosays.

He adds the First Nation is in touch with the ministry almost on a daily basis about the concern for the caribou.

"All we can continue to do is to point out to [the MNRF] that their data suggeststhis needs to happen as fast as possible, and then we offer suggestions on how that might work."

Lepianoestimates there are about 18 wolves on the island andmoving them to the mainland is not an option. He says acull of the wolves would be a practical solution,but killing that many wolves is an answer that would not be taken lightly.

Complicating factors at play ministry says

In an emailstatement to CBCNews, the Ministry says it been working closely with the First Nationcommunity and appreciates its concerns.

The statement goes on to say there are a number of complicating factors at play, including the weather, and the stress of the move on the caribou.

The ministry says a vet is required onsite for the move, as well as the right contractor, in order to move the caribou safely.

Lepianosays the concern for the caribou bythe people of MichipicotenFirst Nationis connected with anOjibweteaching.

"We've arrived at a time when the rest of the animals on the planet need ourhelp to survive. These are animals that have helped the Ojibwepeople survive in the past," Lepianosays.

"We may have to sit here and know that the last of the caribou are gettingwiped off of the island and off of Lake Superior, in spite of all [the First Nation's efforts].It's pretty hard to take."