OMINECA NORTHERN CARIBOU PROJECT - YEAR 3 (2000) INVENTORY RESULTS
by :
Kathryn L. Zimmerman,
R. Scott McNay, and
Line Giguere
 |
Figure 1. Telemetry locations of caribou, moose,
and wolves recorded during 2000 in the 3 study
areas of the Mackenzie Timber Supply Area. |
In 2000 we completed year 3 of an inventory of the ecological factors affecting northern caribou in the Mackenzie TSA (Fig. 1)
WORKING HYPOTHESIS
The pattern of logging can alter the manner in which moose and wolves affect adult caribou survival because, many small cut-blocks fragment caribou habitat and enhance the likelihood of wolf predation on caribou.
 |
| Figure 2. The Caribou Management Strategy (CMS) results in fewer, larger cut-blocks, reducing fragmentation of caribou habitat. |
Conversely, the LRMP strategy of large-patches management should reduce habitat fragmentation and the risk of predation (Fig. 2).
PROJECT OBJECTIVES:
1. Monitor population characteristics, distribution, and movements of caribou, moose, and wolves;
2. Assess habitats used by caribou; and
3. Determine predation rates on caribou and causes of mortality
 |
| Securing a radio-collar to a tranquilized wolf |
ANIMAL CAPTURE /
RADIO-COLLARING:
- 60 caribou, 13 moose, and 10 wolves were captured in 2000 to attach or replace radio-transmitters
- 19 calves of collared cows were captured and radio-tagged
- A total of 140 marked animals were monitored (Table 1)
Calf captured and fitted with an ear-tag transmitter |
| Table 1. Number of radio-collared animals in each study area by gender and species. |
|
| Study Area |
Gender |
Species |
| |
|
| |
|
Caribou |
Moose |
Wolves |
|
| Akie/Ospika |
Male |
8 |
7 |
2 |
| Female |
11 |
8 |
0 |
| Chase/Sustut |
Male |
9 |
7 |
5 |
| Female |
22 |
7 |
1 |
| Wolverine |
Male |
13 |
6 |
1 |
| Female |
26 |
6 |
1 |
| |
|
| |
TOTAL |
89 |
41 |
10 |
|
|
Results from the 6 inventory methods used to address the project objectives:
1. RADIO-TELEMETRY LOCATIONS
 |
| An antennae and receiver are used to locate transmission signals from radio-collared animals |
- Telemetry surveys provided information about mortalities, movements, and distribution of caribou in relation to moose, wolves, and their habitat
- 6,070 animal locations were recorded over 130 flights (Fig.1)
- 10,560 locations were obtained from Global Positioning System collars fitted on 2 wolves, 4 moose, and 20 caribou
 |
| Moose observed during census |
2. MOOSE CENSUS:
- 426 moose were observed over 1440 km2 in February
- 127 were bulls, 236 were cows, and 51 were calves
- The population estimate was 5508, or 0.49 moose/km2
| Table 2. Observed number of caribou bulls, cows, and calves per study area. |
|
| Study Area |
Bulls |
Cows |
Calves |
Unknown |
|
| Akie/Ospika |
7 |
10 |
2 |
0 |
| Chase/Sustut |
26 |
80 |
15 |
6 |
| Wolverine |
32 |
68 |
10 |
5 |
| TOTAL |
65 |
158 |
27 |
11 |
|
|
3. CARIBOU CENSUS:
261 caribou were observed on 37 transects surveyed in March (Table 2)
 |
| Caribou cow and calf observed during census |
4. CARIBOU CALF CENSUS:
- 5 surveys were conducted during late May and June
- We observed the greatest number of calves in mid-June, with 35 calves per 51 cows
- 28 of 34 radio-collared cows were observed with calves
 |
| This caribou calf has been sent to a lab to determine the cause of death |
5. MORTALITY SITE INVESTIGATIONS:|
44 mortality sites were investigated, 19 of which were moose, 20 were caribou, and 5 were wolves
 |
| Sinking depth in snow is measured at habitat plots |
6. HABITAT SITE INVESTIGATIONS:
- 282 habitat sites were investigated
- 27 were mortality sites, 241 were seasonal habitat sites, and 16 were incidental observations of habitat use
Information collected during this inventory, in combination with modeling techniques,
will be used to assess and improve LRMP policy directions for sustaining caribou populations
This project was initiated by Slocan Forest Products Ltd. and Abitibi Consolidated.
Funding was provided by Forest Renewal BC.
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