Dramatic worldwide decline in caribou/reindeer numbers First
ever worldwide census analysis of caribou/reindeer numbers
reveals dramatic decline June 2009. Caribou and reindeer numbers
worldwide have plunged almost 60% in the last three decades. The
dramatic revelation came out of the first ever comprehensive
census analysis of this iconic species carried out by biologists
at the University of Alberta. Co-author PhD student Liv Vors
said that global warming and industrial development are
responsible for driving this dramatic decline in species numbers
around the world. Vors, who is studying under Dr Mark Boyce,
Alberta Conservation Association Chair in Fisheries and Wildlife
at the University of Alberta, says the decline raises serious
concerns not only for the animals, but also for people living in
northern latitudes who depend on the animals for their
livelihood. "In this research we tried to look beyond the
science and focus also on the impact on the economies and
culture of northern people," said Vors. Th