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ST JOHN'S (CUP) — Decline in moose numbers

Newfoundland’s moose population has dropped to approximately 115,000 from 1997 levels of 150,000, according to the province’s environment minister.

Environment minister Terry French recently made the public announcement regarding the decline of the moose population, stating that the drop is attributed to the number of hunting licenses in Newfoundland.

French says that the government has increased the harvest numbers significantly in the past couple of years, stating that the increase is between 6,000 and 7,000 animals.

However, he maintains that the population is still healthy, even though the harvest has taken a toll on the population.

The decline in numbers has prompted the provincial government to start a five-year moose management plan to begin in 2013.

More teens, young adults using condoms

A new Statistics Canada report says that condom use is increasing among teens and young adults, but that a significant amount of the population are still not using protection.

The recent study by the agency’s Canadian Community Health Survey found that 68 per cent of sexually active Canadians aged 15 to 24 reported using condoms in 2009–10, showing a six per cent rise since 2003.

Although 80 per cent of teens aged 15 to 18 reported using condoms, only 63 per cent of those aged 20 to 24 reported condom usage.

The report also shows that provinces and territories above the national average include Ontario and Alberta (both 73 per cent), the Northwest Territories (78 per cent), and Nunavut (79 per cent). Quebec and Manitoba fell below the national average at 60 and 65 per cent, respectively.

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