Fort McMurray Forum

Research from the University Alberta suggesting woodland caribou in the oil sands may be more plentiful than previously thought.

The Statoil-funded study found that as many as 389 animals are in the
area, more than double previous estimates.

Chair in Conservation Biology, Professor, Sam Wasser says the data was gathered using scat-tracking dogs.

"Aerial surveys are hindered by this ability, especially if your trying to get young individuals and to get a good overall estimate of the population, that's one problem, and alternative methods such as radio collaring is very expensive," said Wasser.

Wasser focused on habitat south of Fort McMurray between Anzac and Conklin and highways 663 and 881, during the Winters of 2006, 2007 and 2009.