Boreal caribou in B.C.: Science update Conrad Thiessen Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations
Range
Area (km2)
Population
Parker
752
50
Prophet
1,193
50
Chinchaga Calendar Maxhamish
13,897 4,973 7,095
250 290 300
Snake
12,000
360
Total
39,910
1225
From Culling & Cichowski 2010
From Culling & Cichowski 2010
Population growth • Maxhamish, Parker, & Prophet • 2009 λ = 0.77 • ≈400 caribou now
2011 late winter survey Core Area Parker Lake Capot Blanc Kiwigana Calendar West Kotcho Prophet Fortune Maxhamish Total
Calves:100 cows 75 22 28 14 29 0 47 39 36
Bulls:100 cows 31 22 28 14 14 38 41 36 29
Roads/seismic
Hunters
Wolves
Black bear
Moose
Caribou
Beaver
shrubs
Lichens
Forest
Oil & Gas
Forestry
Source: BC Minsitry of Forests and Range
2010 moose survey
Moose density 2 (x/km )
Range disturbance Range Maxhamish Calendar Chinchaga Snake-Sahtahneh
% Impacted 57 71 79 84
Core disturbance Core Capot-Blanc Kiwigana Fortune Etsho Parker Calendar Paradise North Kotcho Etthithun Prophet East Kotcho Milligan Clarke West Kotcho Tsea
% Impacted 52 52 60 62 68 71 72 74 75 78 85 93 94 94 96
0.3
Moose density
0.25 0.2 0.15 0.1 0.05 0 0
20
40
60
Disturbance
80
100
Caribou calves:100 cows
35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
Moose density
0.25
0.3
Beaver Density Stratified random block count results: Parker Area (km2) 752.22 157 Active Est. # lodges Density (x/km2) 0.21 CV 0.24 181 Inactive Est. # lodges Density (x/km2) 0.24 CV 0.27 Est. # lodges 338 All Density (x/km2) 0.45 CV 0.25
Prophet 1193.96 395 0.33 0.21 573 0.48 0.21 968 0.81 0.21
Assessing Spatial Factors Affecting Predation Risk to Boreal Caribou Calves: Implication for Management
Craig DeMars, Ph.D student, Stan Boutin, Ph.D, Conrad Thiessen, R.P.Bio.
Project Context 3-year timeline
Study area: includes 7 core habitat areas in 4 caribou ranges 25 female caribou currently fitted with Iridium GPS collars Predators to be collared in the coming year
Project Objectives ďƒ˜ To assess the relative importance of spatial factors affecting survival of neonate calves (0-6 weeks old). 1. Calving site selection 2. Landscape pattern 3. Predator habitat use
ďƒ˜ Develop management strategies for reducing predation risk to caribou
Resource Review Areas • no new petroleum tenure sales • 5 year time frame (2009 – 2014)
Summary: • 30 Iridium collars on wolves this winter • increase sample size of collared caribou (aim for 20 collars/range) • late winter calf survival survey • black bear collaring in spring
Acknowledgements Ministry of Environment Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Petroleum Resources
Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations
September 24 – 28 in Fort St. John, BC