The board responsible for managing two caribou herds across northern Canada says the number of caribou in one of the herds is dropping.
In a recent publication from the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Mangement Board they say the number of caribou in the Qamanirjuaq herd is dropping on average of 4% per cent per year.
In a survey they conducted from 2008 to 2014 the number of adult female caribou in the herd dropped from 344,100 to 264,700.
The board believes any further decline in herd size will reduce the sustainable harvest below the estimated basic needs level.
The BQCMB says several threats need to be evaluated to determine the vulnerability of the herd, but they do say the amount of caribou meat being sold over the internet is putting more pressure on the herd.
The results of an assessment will be discussed by the BQCMB during a meeting in Saskatoon in May.
After the meeting, the board says they may have a clearer picture on ways to sustain the herd moving forward.