The Arrow Lakes Caribou Society released all 13 of the caribou from the Central Selkirk Maternity Pen on Friday, July 22nd. The geotextile fabric of the maternity pen was cut at 5:00 am on Friday, July 22nd to create an exit point for the caribou. The caribou were apprehensive at first and unsure about exiting the pen, but they were interested in the lichen that was spread around outside the pen. ALCS shepherds set up temporary fencing along the Kuskanax Forest Service Road to encourage the caribou to travel up Raven Creek, which is the fastest route to the alpine from the maternity pen location.
One by one, the group exited the pen. As soon as they were all out of the pen, they quickly realized they could run and found a trail up Raven Creek to travel together. The caribou had left the pen and started travelling up to the alpine by 5:30 am on Friday.
GPS collar data showed the first of the caribou were in the alpine by the evening of July 22nd. And, the whole group arrived in the alpine by the morning of Sunday, July 24th. The GPS collars will allow ALCS and provincial government biologists to monitor the cows and calves throughout their range over the next year.
ALCS wants to express their appreciation to the various groups that were integral to this project’s success. Thank you to the BC Ministry of Land, Water, and Resource Stewardship, the BC Caribou Recovery Program, the Ktunaxa Nation, wildlife veterinarian, Amelie Mathieu, and veterinary student Morgan Kelley for assisting with the release of the caribou.
ALCS will now be evaluating the outcomes of the first project year for the Central Selkirk Maternity Pen and start planning for year two operations. The next caribou capture is planned for Spring 2023, and ALCS hopes for many more healthy caribou calves. Follow our social media for more information, updates and future project news. Facebook: @arrowlakescaribou, Instagram: @arrow_lakes_caribou.
Arrow Lakes Caribou Society 