Caribou huddled around a feeder filled with specially designed pellets in Kennedy Siding, British Columbia.
McLeod Lake First Nation confirms that the Kennedy Siding caribou population was declining by approximately 9% per year before the food program began. Between 2014 and 2022, the population increased by 16% each year, according to the First Nation.
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Furthermore, British Columbia has implemented wolf cull programs (New window) (in English) in the South Peace region since 2015. Victoria thus wants to improve the survival rate of caribou herds, including those by Kennedy Siding.
According to the Ministry of Forestry, 1,429 wolves were shot from the air as part of a reduction program between 2015 and 2022. This wolf cull program was renewed for five years in winter 2022.
The ministry believes that without reductions in predators, caribou herds will continue to decline and risk extinction.
Doug Heard analyzed the data collected at in the first six years of his feeding program and claims that wolf removal and his program reduced the population decline by 16%.
It appears that food contributes about 3% of this 16% growth, and therefore has some impact, as shown by comparing this population with adjacent populations that are not fed, analyzes the former biologist, who keeps a constant eye on the herd using cutting-edge equipment.
It also collects hair and feces samples to determine pedigree using DNA testing.
< p class="StyledBodyHtmlParagraph-sc-48221190-4 hnvfyV">It's a pleasure to be close to the animals, to know their personalities and to learn new things, rejoices Doug Heard, affirming that it is both personally and scientifically satisfying to work on a project supported by the community and whose results are convincing.
With information fromCatherine Hansen andBridgette Watson