Cranbrook Daily Townsman, October 16, 2012

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tuesday

october 16, 2012

Weddings, Maternity, Newborn, Families and everything in between.

< The fires of autumn (not!) Where are our brilliant fall colours? | Page 2

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MBSS V-ballers off to hot start | Page 8

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Vol. 60, Issue 199

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Only four caribou left from transplant Many of the endangered mountain caribou transported to the East Kootenay were killed by predators

Sally MacDonald Townsman Staff

Just four of 19 caribou transplanted into the Purcell Mountains west of Cranbrook are still alive, less than one year after the transplant. Since the animals were brought to the area from northern B.C. last March to

boost a dwindling herd, most have been killed by cougars or wolves, according to Steve Gordon, project manager of the Purcells South Mountain Caribou Herd Augmentation. “This is an unfortunate result. We are quite disappointed,” said Gordon. “Obviously this isn’t the success we had

hoped for, but we are learning a lot from this that will inform how we proceed on other transplants and management of other herds in southern B.C.” The endangered animals were brought from Dease Lake in northern B.C. in March in an attempt by the

provincial government to revive a dwindling herd in the backcountry between the East and West Kootenay. There are less than 1,700 mountain caribou in existence. The Purcells South herd had around 14 animals before the transplant. To boost the local herd, 20

mountain caribou (17 females, three males) were taken from a healthy herd on the Tahltan First Nation, fitted with GPS radio collars then brought down to the Kootenays in specially designed animal trailers. One female caribou died en route. Unfortunately, the trans-

planted animals could not be dropped in the same draw as the resident herd because of poor weather conditions. Perhaps as a result, the transplanted caribou began to explore the area, with some heading out of their alpine habitat above 1,400 metres or 4,500 feet to the valley bottom around Cranbrook and Creston.

See ATTRITION , Page 4

Tan-free in B.C.

Youth in B.C. are no longer able to tan in booths as of Monday, Oct. 15 Annalee Gr ant Townsman Staff

Photo courtesy Hugh Laurie

The great cat rescue of 2012 is underway. Veterinarians Bob Clark (left) and Suzanne Thiessen (right) are pictured with Veterinarian Technician Anne Coulter and one of the half-wild cats who populate a Cranbrook neighbourhood. Nearby residents have been catching the cats, bringing them in to Cranbrook Veterinary Hospital for “fixing,” and are putting them up until such time as homes are found for them. Looking for a perfect barn or farm cat? Read all about the great cat rescue of 2012 on Page 3.

British Columbia residents under the age of 18 are officially prohibited from entering a tanning booth in the province as of Monday. The Canadian Cancer Society is applauding the B.C. government’s move, which imposes a $345 fine on any businesses that do not comply with the regulations. “This announcement is a huge step forward in the fight against cancer,” said Patti Moore, team leader of health promotion for the Canadian Cancer Society’s Cranbrook office.

See YOUTH , Page 4

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