Woodland caribou killed in Valleyview

VALLEYVIEW A woodland caribou, a declining species with a low population in Alberta, appears to have been shot and killed near the northwestern community of Valleyview.

It is illegal to hunt caribou in Alberta due to their low numbers.

Andrew Matzner says he was shocked to find the dead animal on his property.

He told CTV Edmonton that it angers him that somebody would kill it and then leave it behind.

Photos provided to CTV by Matzner show the dead caribou with an apparent gunshot wound.

The provincial government is working on a plan to try to conserve the species.

For now, Matzner wants whoever killed the caribou to be held accountable.

“It isn’t good that people get away with stuff like that, whether it was a mistake or intentional,” he said.