A Season of Growth & Challenges
A Remarkably Short Calving Season
The 2024 calving season at the Mt. Bickford maternity pen was three weeks shorter than last year, with calves born between May 13 and June 1. This meant an intensive period of monitoring for Pen Guardians, who worked diligently to identify and track each caribou.
- 39 caribou currently in the pen
- First calf born: May 13
- Final calf born: June 1
A Unique Return: C372K Rejoins the Herd
For the first time in the pen’s history, a caribou from a previous season returned and persistently sought re-entry.
- C372K, a former pen resident, returned in early May
- Allowed into the pen for her safety from a nearby black bear
- Gave birth two days later to a healthy female calf
A Rare Occurrence: Twin Calves
Caribou C504K, a two-year-old born in the pen, gave birth to twins on May 19—only the second recorded instance since the program began in 2014. Despite dedicated care from the Pen Guardians, one calf sadly did not survive due to health complications.
- Twins are extremely rare in wild caribou populations
- Possible genetic factors may impact twin survival
Calf Sex Ratio & Health Measures
The calf sex ratio has shifted back to a male bias, similar to previous years:
- 12 males, 6 females (compared to last year’s more balanced 9:8 ratio)
- New Clostridium vaccine introduced, with a booster in April to protect against soil-based bacteria
- No new calf collars—the team is minimizing handling
An Exceptional Birth: C319K at 16 Years Old
One of the most remarkable births this year came from C319K, a 16-year-old caribou who has been part of the pen for seven seasons. She successfully gave birth to a healthy male calf—an incredible feat for a caribou of her age!
Key Dates
- March 11 – Capture begins
- March 16 – Capture ends
- May 13 – First calf born
- June 1 – Last calf born
- July 30 – Release day!
Read the full update for more details and see photos from the field!