[June 26, 2024, Nakusp] – This spring, one female and four male caribou calves were born in the Central Selkirk Caribou Maternity Pen.
The caribou calving period typically spans from mid-May to mid-June. This year, calves were born between May 24th and June 13th. The calves will remain in the maternity pen until they are released with the herd in mid-July 2024.
Six of the nine adult females were diagnosed as pregnant at the time of capture, including a two-year-old cow. However, one cow aborted its pregnancy in mid-May. The stillborn was female and weighed only 2 kg. Veterinary staff tended to the cow and she is now doing well. This is the first instance of abortion at the pen, and veterinarians are investigating the possible causes.
Birth weights of the other calves ranged from 5.5 to 11kg. Caribou calves have so far averaged 9kg at birth.
The male calf born to the two-year-old cow was small at birth but healthy. He however needed help during his first night due to concerns associated with the cool, wet weather conditions and because the cow struggled to nurse due to inexperience and udder discomfort. The veterinary team intervened when it became apparent that the calf was becoming weak and cold. The calf was warmed, fed and treated overnight, and was reunited with his mother at dawn. Both cow and calf are doing well.
The female calf born in the pen suffered a hind foot injury early on. Calves are incredibly resilient, and over approximately one week, the calf healed and is now walking normally.
Caribou will be released from the pen to their mountain habitat in mid-July, once the youngest calf is at least six weeks old. The caribou may be released sooner if the weather forecast predicts high temperatures that could subject the animals to heat stress.
Caribou are closely monitored by maternity pen shepherds and veterinary staff from a specialty-built observation blind. The 2024 shepherd team includes two wildlife technicians/biologists, two members of the Sinixt Confederacy, and one member from the Lower Similkameen Indian Band. Dr. Amélie Mathieu oversees animal health through the penning season, along with Columbus Zoo and Aquarium veterinary technician Dan Wallon during the calving season.
Thank you to the community and stakeholders for supporting this project. For more information about the Central Selkirk Caribou Maternity Pen, visit our website (www.arrowlakescaribousociety.com) and social media pages (Facebook: @arrowlakescaribou; Instagram: @arrow_lakes_caribou) or contact ALCS directly at al.caribou.society@gmail.com.
Arrow Lakes Caribou Society 