Monitoring Wildlife Near Victoria Gold Mine Enters Second Year

Plans to monitor metal and element concentrations in wildlife near the Victoria Gold mine are advancing into their second year. The Yukon Department of Environment reported on efforts from the previous year, which aimed to establish baseline data on specific elements present in animals harvested by local hunters and trappers. This initiative follows a significant incident in June 2024, when a landslide at the mine breached its heap leach facility, releasing contaminants into the surrounding environment.

The report, published on September 29, 2024, indicates that while cyanide was released during the incident, it was not tested in this study as it does not accumulate in animal tissues. The department collaborated with local hunters and trappers to begin collecting tissue samples in the fall and winter of 2024. “The purpose of testing tissue samples from the 2024-2025 season was to help establish what concentration of elements and metals exist in these animal tissues currently,” the report states.

Study Details and Findings

Wild animals such as moose, caribou, and various furbearers can be exposed to harmful substances through contaminated vegetation, water, or by consuming other animals. The study aimed to monitor these exposures and assess the potential for bioaccumulation, where harmful substances build up in organs and tissues over time.

In total, samples were collected from two caribou and four moose, as well as from 24 furbearers, including martens, beavers, and wolves. A total of 35 elements were tested in the study, with findings compared against historical data from studies conducted between 1993 and 2005. While the report specifies that a conclusive comparison was not feasible due to differences in study areas and other variables, it was noted that mercury concentrations were similar or lower in recent samples compared to historical data. Cobalt concentrations were lower in all samples except for caribou livers.

One notable finding involved a moose that was discovered deceased in the South McQuesten River. Its muscle tissues exhibited high aluminum content, while its organs did not, suggesting exposure occurred post-mortem. Overall, the report concluded that the element concentrations detected did not indicate any immediate toxicity in the sampled animals.

Future Monitoring and Community Involvement

The report highlights challenges in comparing current results with earlier studies, particularly due to discrepancies in laboratory techniques used in earlier furbearer research. Nevertheless, comparisons with a recent study of Yukon wolverines and data on domestic animals were utilized. Of the elements analyzed, twenty were found at similar or lower concentrations than historical samples, while 15 elements, including arsenic, lead, and zinc, were present at higher levels. The report affirms that the potential for toxicity remains unknown.

Monitoring will continue into the 2025-2026 harvest season for both ungulates and furbearers. Community participation is encouraged, as individuals interested in sampling animals they harvest can obtain kits and instructions from the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun Lands Branch or the Yukon Department of Environment offices located in Whitehorse, Mayo, or Dawson. For more information, the government’s Animal Health Unit can be reached at 867-667-5600 or by email.

This ongoing research plays a crucial role in understanding environmental changes and supporting community health, contributing to the long-term well-being of wildlife populations in the region.