Press Release
CARIBOU CALVING COMPLETE AT CENTRAL SELKIRK CARIBOU MATERNITY PEN
[July 21, 2023, Nakusp] – The pregnant caribou in the Central Selkirk Caribou Maternity Pen have now all calved. Out of the 14 animals in the pen, eight cows were pregnant. We’ve identified one female calf and seven male calves.
Compared to calving last year, this timeline is quite late for caribou. This could be due to many varying factors. Caribou typically calve around late May to early June. The calves are doing well and will be released soon.
The caribou are planned to be released six weeks after the last calf was born, which would make it sometime in mid to late July. However, due to increasing temperatures in the summer months, the pen will be closely monitored for living conditions, and the caribou may be released early to prevent the caribou from overheating.
Caribou are being closely monitored by maternity pen shepherds from a specialty-built observation blind. Shepherds have included various stakeholder groups including some Ɂaq`am First Nations community members.
There is a controlled access zone on Kuskanax Forest Service Road around the maternity pen, starting 600 metres up from Hot Springs Road. A gate and information signage have been installed. The gate will be closed as necessary during critical periods – the road is currently closed until further notice, to mitigate traffic around the pen. Outside of these critical times, slow, quiet, and respectful access will be possible as per instructions on the signage and under the direction of ALCS and the BC Caribou Recovery Program. Sound management in the vicinity of the pen will be paramount to minimize disturbance to the caribou.
Thank you to the community and local stakeholder groups for supporting this project.
Follow this project on our website and social media for more information. Facebook: @arrowlakescaribou, Instagram: @arrow_lakes_caribou.
Or, for more information contact the society by emailing al.caribou.society@gmail.com.
Arrow Lakes Caribou Society 