Wildlife officials in Newfoundland and Labrador and biologists in Quebec will collaborate on a count of the George River caribou herd in Labrador next year.

The census is designed to determine the status and health of the herd and will involve collaring as many as 80 animals.

The survey will also help determine the overall population as well as the number of calves and the ratio of males to females.

The herd was last estimated in 2001 at 385,000 animals, down from 785,000 in the census of 1993.

If the upcoming count shows a further decline, government officials say new management strategies may be implemented for the 2010 fall hunting season.