Wildlife refuge to provide permanent home for caribou

AMITY — The Arthur E. Howell Wildlife Refuge in Amity will hold two work sessions Saturday, Sept. 29, and Saturday, Oct. 20, to prepare for two caribou that will reside at the refuge permanently.

According to Arthur Howell Jr., manager of the refuge, people are needed to help clear 2 1/2 acres of brush, assist with building a shelter and other work at the refuge before the caribou arrive next month.

While regular work sessions have been scheduled, anyone who is unable to attend one of the work sessions could come to the refuge anytime to help.

The two caribou were scheduled to arrive by the end of this month. Delays in preparing the site prompted the Maine Caribou Transplant Association to grant the refuge an extension. Howell said association officials also felt it would be better to move the animals in cooler weather.

The refuge recently received the final permits from the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to provide permanent housing for the two animals.