159 southern mountain caribou now exist, up from a population of 36 in 2013
Landscape disturbance from logging, mining, extraction, and human settlement has caused this decline in the population and altered the habitat to become unsuitable for the Klinse-Za caribou herd. Through active efforts led by West Moberly and Saulteau First Nations, the caribou population has increased from 36 caribou in 2013 to 138 caribou in 2023 (this was from a rapid decline of about 250 caribou in 1995).
Safe Capture
Pursuit and capture must occur on smooth, open terrain with good footing, and, whenever possible, deep soft snow should be used. These help prevent injury (broken limbs, sprains, etc) to either the target animal or animals running with it, and slows down fleeing caribou.
Maternity pen care
Adult female caribou are brought into a high elevation enclosure where they can have their calves in safety. The caribou are cared for by Indigenous Guardians that live with them full time.
Release
Once the calves are at least six weeks old they, and their moms, are released back into the wild. This often occurs around the end of August.
Ongoing Monitoring
Collaring, aerial surveys, and mortality investigations—ensuring GPS-collared data is robust and supports accurate conservation reporting.
March 2025 Update
Land Restoration Update
This newsletter update brings you key insights from our 2024 Land Restoration efforts and dives into our recent Calf Survival Analysis. Read on to learn how these initiatives are shaping the future of caribou recovery.
See Update
“It was an all out effort. We didn’t go into it half-hearted”
– Chief Roland Willson