Village of Telkwa - Things to do

Telkwa Cariboo Herd Recovery Project

Summary of research 1997 - 2000.
(September 2000) Background

Thirty-two caribou were relocated to the Telkwa Mountains during 1997 - 1999, to help recover the Telkwa Caribou Herd. The animals captured from the Sustut herd, about 150 km north of Smithers; immobilized, fitted with radiocollars and transported by helicopter to the Telkwa Mountains. Four were bulls, one was an immature cow and the rest were adult cows. Telemetry locations of Telkwa caribou have been used to determine habitat characteristics selected by Telkwa caribou from November 1997 - April 2000.

Seasonal Habitat UseThe Telkwa Caribou Herd appear to select for high elevation habitat at moderate slopes, with “warm”, aspects (136 - 315 degrees; southeast to northwest). Historically, the alpine plateau in the Telkwa Range have been significant for caribou. The areas surrounding Hunters' Basin and the Camel Humps in the north-western part of the Telkwa Range are especially important, as they are also used as calving areas. These plateau likely provide good access to lichen.

The plateau are interspersed with pockets of wetlands within easy access of the alpine. Caribou were often observed in these meadows, and they are probably important in providing protein-rich sources of food. Moose were often seen in these high elevation meadows.

These areas bring caribou in closer contact with moose, and potentially wolves. Caribou using high-elevation meadows may be making a trade-off between increre also used as calving areas. These plateau likely provide good access to lichen.
The plateau are interspersed with pockets of wetlands within easy access of the alpine. Caribou were often observed in these meadows, and they are probably important in providing protein-rich sources of food. Moose were often seen in these high elevation meadows.

These areas bring caribou in closer contact with moose, and potentially wolves. Caribou using high-elevation meadows may be making a trade-off between forage and increased predation risk. Certain animals made extensive use of forests, though most animals showed preference for areas above treeline, which is at approximately 1700 masl. Use of forest was lower than availability in the study area for all age classes of trees. Caribou in forested habitat mostly use forest > 100 years of age but appear to select for forest > 250 years of age.

The Telkwa Caribou Herd is known to use both arboreal lichens (growing on trees) and terrestrial lichens (growing on the ground) during winter.

Seasonal Habitat Use by Cows With Calves versus Cows Without Calves
Locations were obtained for 8 cows with calves and 8 cows without calves the summer of 1999, to look at possible differences in habitat selection. Most cows gave birth in the alpine, in exposed areas free of snow. Some cows appeared to have given birth in higher elevation old growth forest, but as these calves were often first seen when several days old there is less certainty in the calving location.

Cows with calves used higher elevations than barren cows during calving time. The two groups used similar elevations through the rest of the year, mostly at or above 1600 masl.
Cows with calves were found at a mean elevation of 1624 masl. both at calving time and the rest of the year. Barren cows descended to lower elevations during calving time and early summer (mean elevation 1493 masl). The rest of the year they were found at similar elevations as cows with calves.

The difference in elevation use between barren and reproductive cows during calving time may to some extent be due to cows with calves sacrificing foraging opportunities to reduce the risk of loosing their calf to a predator.
This relationship was masked somewhat by the fact that 4 of 8 barren cows also remained at high elevations throughout calving time and early summer.

Caribou Calf Collaring Project
A caribou calf collaring project in the Telkwa Mountains was carried out in 1999. Objectives of the project were to gain a better understanding of causes and timing of calf mortality and whether calves born at higher elevations had greater survival rates than calves born at lower elevations.

Six caribou calves were captured, weighed and fitted with radiocollars. Most calves were approximately one day old at capture. Average estimated birthweight was 8.4 kg. Of the 6 calves captured, 3 died shortly after birth. One death was attributed to avian predation; most likely a golden eagle. This was based on talon-like marks and the method by which flesh had been torn off the carcass.

One calf appeared to have been abandoned by its mother after being handled by the capture crew. For the third calf, the cause of death is unknown. The remaining three calves were still alive and following their mothers in April 2000.

Known calving time for the Telkwa caribou range from May 26 (estimated from a calf observed at a later date) until June 10. Five calves were counted in 1998. At least one calf is known to have survived the winter. In 1999, 12 calves were counted and an additional cow was seen with an extended udder, indicating she had given birth and lost her calf.
Only one birth from a resident cow is dated (June 10). It is therefore not possible to determine possible differences in calving time between resident and transplanted cows. Three calves died as described above, leaving 9 of which 8 were found alive in October. At least 15 calves are known to have been born in 2000.

Calf data from 1998 - 2000 do not allow for meaningful estimates of survival but indicate that low production has been a factor of equal or perhaps greater importance than the loss of calves.

The ratio of bulls to cows during fall 1999 seems sufficient to ensure normal pregnancy rates (about 85 % of adult cows pregnant), in particular as most caribou were associated in herds including at least one mature bull.

For more information, please contact:
British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection
P.O. Box 5000
Smithers, BC V0J 2N0
Ph: (250) 847- 7260

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