Mass Caribou Slaughter in Manitoba Sparks Outrage and Calls for Reform

In a grim discovery last month, upwards of 75 caribou, primarily pregnant cows carrying unborn calves, were found slaughtered in Manitoba’s Nueltin Lake Provincial Park, near the Manitoba-Nunavut border. The carcasses, scattered across the snow near Nueltin Lake Lodge, revealed significant meat wastage, with discarded front shoulders, necks, ribs, and some hind quarters. The scene, described as deeply disturbing, also included fully formed fetuses, foreshadowing the loss of future generations of the Qamanirjuaq caribou herd. The incident, coupled with severe vandalism found at the lodge, has prompted widespread outrage and renewed calls for wildlife management reform.

Nick Scigliano, the U.S.-based owner of Nueltin Lake Lodge, discovered the carnage during a property inspection. Having recently purchased the property, he was doing a fly-over when he not only spotted the piles of caribou but also noticed that many of the cabins he had purchased were being illegally occupied. 

According to Scigliano, the lodge was heavily vandalized, with other buildings forcibly entered and valuable items stolen. At the time of the inspection, he decided not to land on the property, instead opting to return the following week with some additional firepower.

Scigliano returned the week of April 18th with both the Manitoba Wildlife Federation (MWF), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and Manitoba Conservation officers. Together, the group uncovered nine large piles of caribou heads and carcasses which included three cows that were found to have been carrying fully formed, unborn calves.

The caribou are part of the Qamanirjuaq herd, a migratory barren-ground population that winters in northern Manitoba’s forests and migrates to Nunavut for calving in early June. The slaughter took place during the herd’s spring migration, a critical period for pregnant cows, raising concerns about the impact on an already declining population. The Qamanirjuaq herd has declined by about 50% in the last 30 years, from 496,000 animals in 1994 to 253,000 animals in 2022. 

On the heels of these disturbing findings, Scigliano and Manitoba officials have made it clear that they are not seeking to vilify First Nations communities. Instead, their focus is on addressing the significant meat wastage and helping to further the awareness around sustainable hunting practices. By collaborating with law enforcement, conservation officers, and Indigenous leaders, they aim to develop a co-management framework that respects treaty rights while ensuring fair and equitable outcomes for wildlife preservation and community values.

That said, despite indigenous Canadian hunters having the right to hunt any time of the year and harvest as many animals as they need for sustenance, Scigliano says it’s worth mentioning that all hunters, no matter their status, are legally required to harvest all edible meat from animals such as caribou. It also goes without saying that entering private property without permission and damaging such property, also remains illegal, regardless of status.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew pulled no punches in a statement that outright condemned the act.

“Anybody who participated in this has no respect for animals, has no right to be able to hunt in this province and will be pursued and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” he said. “We’re going to do that by working with non-Indigenous and Indigenous people,” stating that he’s spoken to people who live off the land in that part of the province.

The MWF is advocating for a co-management board to establish harvest reporting and seasonal restrictions, emphasizing sustainable hunting practices for all, including Indigenous communities.

Manitoba’s Justice Minister Matt Wiebe has committed to engaging Indigenous communities, hunters, and lodge owners to address the issue. The provincial government is exploring sustainable harvesting practices while respecting treaty rights. No arrests have been made, and investigations into both the slaughter and vandalism are ongoing.