The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture:

Mr. Speaker, during a recent visit to the west coast, I had the opportunity to tour the new state-of-the art Provincial Wildlife Laboratory situated in Pasadena. The lab will improve how provincial wildlife biologists conduct population studies and research.

Mr. Speaker, my thanks to biologist Shane Hann and ecologist Don Keefe for demonstrating how the wildlife lab allows them to catalogue, process, and analyze submitted specimens in a more timely and efficient manner to support important studies such as the recently re-launched Big Game Jawbone Collection Program and the Canid Lineage Project.

The wildlife lab also provides additional services critical to the sustainable management of our valuable wildlife resources, including wildlife disease surveillance, DNA collection and mortality investigations. Data collected is already being used in research that supports the health of wildlife populations, including the pine marten, eagles, small mammals and various inland fish species.

Mr. Speaker, the lab has equipment that provides for a safe and sanitary working environment and is strategically located to take advantage of other department supports available at adjacent wildlife and forestry management offices and nearby Animal Health Division offices.

Healthy outdoor and wildlife resources are essential to our culture, heritage, and recreational pursuits. The opening of this wildlife laboratory will assist in our sustainable management efforts on behalf of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Thank you.