(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the spring of 1992, the Department of Renewable Resources will carry out a research project on the persistence of the immobilizing drug, Telazol, in the tissue of polar bears. This project will be carried out in co-operation with the Resolute Bay Hunters' and Trappers' Association and the University of Saskatchewan.
For many years, people who live in the communities in the Northwest Territories have asked if meat from polar bears that have been drugged is safe to eat. To answer this question, the hunters' and trappers' association of Resolute Bay has agreed to allocate up to six of their regular polar bear hunting tags in a way that will allow this important research to proceed.
The primary research objective is to find out how long the drug, Telazol, remains in polar bear tissue after an immobilized bear has been released back into the wild. Research scientists generally believe that there is probably no cause for concern for human health for any bear four days after it has been released back to the wild. It is essential that this research hypothesis be verified with actual case studies.
This project will occur in the High Arctic region of Canada during the spring of 1992 and possibly in the fall of 1992 as well. Bears will be immobilized using conventional techniques. At two subsequent intervals of approximately three and four days, these same bears will be relocated by the radio signal coming from their radio collars. The bears will be shot, and samples will be taken. The hides will be taken by the Inuit member of the research team and sold with the same hunting tag that would have been used in a conventional hunt. Up to six polar bears that would have been taken as part of the regular hunt will be killed as part of this research project. Hunters throughout northern Canada will then have a reliable understanding of any human health risks that may be associated with marked bears.
Drugging of polar bears, in general, is a necessary part of research that is required to support responsible conservation of polar bears. Hunting of polar bears continue to be an important element of traditional Inuit culture. This hunting must occur within the framework of a sound management program.
The Government of the Northwest Territories is in the process of developing co-management agreements for polar bears on a population-by -population basis. The government recently
signed a management agreement with the communities of Resolute Bay, Grise Fiord, Arctic Bay and Pond Inlet for the polar bears in this region. (Translation ends)
The Department of Renewable Resources, the Government of the Northwest Territories and communities believe that this project is necessary and worthwhile. The department will work carefully with the other co-operators to ensure that the bears will be treated in the most humane way possible. The results of this work will be of value for many years to come, and, hopefully, alleviate concerns Inuit have about eating polar bear meat. Thank you.