ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - The Newfoundland and Labrador government has complained to the Quebec government about a group of Quebec hunters that is apparently killing caribou that belong to a threatened herd in southern Labrador.

Conservation officials say the group has used high-powered rifles to kill five boreal woodland caribou from the Joir River herd, which includes only 100 animals.

The provincial government issued a statement Friday saying conservation officers patrolling the area are collecting evidence and will enforce the laws that protect the animals.

However, it's unlikely any hunters will be arrested because conservation officers have decided it would be unsafe to approach the 45-member group.

The hunters are apparently firing their rifles from the snowmobiles, the statement said.

"With that many hunters in a small area, they are a danger to themselves and to our officers," said Kathy Dunderdale, Newfoundland and Labrador's natural resources minister.

The statement says the hunting party is made up of Quebec Innu from the Romain, St. Augustine and Natasquan bands.

Dunderdale said the killings were "senseless and unnecessary," considering that hunting is permitted of the much larger George River caribou herd in Labrador.

The Joir River caribou are protected under both the Provincial Endangered Species Act and the Federal Species at Risk Act.

"If this killing continues, we run the risk of losing the entire herd," Dunderdale said.

The minister said the group, which includes women, children and elders, is using high-powered, wide-track snowmobiles and global positioning systems to track the caribou.

"The Quebec Innu are fully aware of the regulations and why they are required, and this was reiterated directly to the hunting party by our officers," Dunderdale added.

"Our requests that they respect provincial and federal laws ... are being ignored. We have now brought our concerns over the threat to our conservation efforts and officers to the Quebec government."