Maternity Pen Update
Pen Maintenance Complete
From February 18–29, our team worked hard to complete pen maintenance at our new site. A lot was accomplished in a short time—thanks to everyone who supported the transition and setup.
Population Survey Success – 187!
Our spring population survey took place from March 3–6 and delivered exciting results! Using a mark-resight method, we observed 45 of the 48 collared caribou in the Klinse-Za Herd. The minimum population count was 179 animals:
- 50 adult females (“cows”)
- 69 adult males (“bulls”)
- 30 juveniles (14 male, 16 female)
- 30 calves (18 male, 12 female)
Our population estimate stands at 187 animals, with a confidence interval of ±11.42. These numbers represent a hopeful sign for this endangered herd’s recovery.
Caribou Capture
Capture activities began with a safety meeting on March 10, followed by three days of fieldwork (March 11, 13, 14). A total of 25 caribou were brought into the pen.
Sadly, an adult female first captured in 2022, C492S, suffered a capture-related injury on March 13 and passed away later that evening despite receiving care. Her death has been reviewed extensively with our capture team and veterinarians. This marks only the second direct capture-related mortality since the project began in 2014—maintaining a mortality rate of less than 0.05%.
The penning process plays a vital role in protecting pregnant cows and increasing calf survival. For example, both adult female and calf survival were substantially higher for penned animals in 2024, compared to caribou that weren’t in the pen. While risks exist, the benefits of this work continue to outweigh them as we strive for a self-sustaining caribou population.
Pregnancy Results – 21
Out of 24 healthy caribou now in the pen, 21 cows are confirmed pregnant. Two were not pregnant upon entry, and one result was inconclusive—so she’ll be a surprise!
One two-year-old cow, C500K, miscarried on April 8. While unfortunate, early miscarriages in young cows are not uncommon and do not affect long-term reproductive health.
Clostridium Vaccination Campaign
All caribou received Clostridium vaccinations as part of our preventative health strategy. Clostridium, a soil-based bacterium, is suspected to have contributed to cow mortalities in 2022 and 2023. Warmer temperatures and reduced snowpack increase the risk—so we’re doing all we can to mitigate it. We saw zero calving-related deaths last year following the vaccination program, and we’re hopeful for similar outcomes this year.
Knowledge Braiders’ Award
We’re deeply honoured to have received a Knowledge Braiders’ Award at the Braiding Knowledges Canada 2025 Gathering in March. This recognition is a meaningful affirmation of our ongoing efforts to respectfully weave together Indigenous and western knowledge in service of Reconciliation. We share this award with all our collaborators, mentors, and community partners—thank you for walking this path with us.Read some reflections on the Braiding Knowledges Canada Gathering.
New Way to Report Caribou Sightings
Recreation users and clubs can now report caribou sightings by email at [email protected]. This inbox is actively monitored by government staff, with a focus on sightings in the South Peace region. You can still use the Submit Wildlife / Plant Data and Information form, but for sightings near or within an active caribou management area, reports using the email will be processed more quickly.