2024 Summary Report
The Klinse-Za caribou herd in northern British Columbia, part of the endangered Central Mountain population of caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), declined from over 200 animals in the mid 1990’s to approximately 36 animals in 2013. Due to unsustainable levels of predation, the herd was predicted to be functionally extirpated within a decade. To halt this decline, West Moberly First Nations and Saulteau First Nations instigated an emergency recovery program. The recovery actions include the reduction of wolf density, which started in 2013, and maternity penning, which began in 2014. In the years since, the combination of maternal penning and wolf reduction has helped stop the steep population decline and create a positive population trajectory.
The Klinse-Za caribou herd is estimated at 187 animals as of March 2025, and the 3-year growth rate was 1.18. Herein we summarise the maternal penning operation, effectiveness monitoring, and outreach/extension completed over the last year.