About mountain caribou

Mountain caribou need old-growth forests

Population status: Historically mountain caribou were found across southeastern British Columbia and as far south as central Idaho. Herds were interconnected, permitting genetic exchange. Currently mountain caribou live in 13 isolated herds. The southern-most herd, known as the South Selkirk, crosses the U.S.-Canada border in the Selkirk Mountains south of Nelson, British Columbia and north of Spokane, Washington. Mountain caribou numbers have plummeted from about 2,450 animals in 1997 to 1,900 today. Many herds have been reduced by half, and some herds now have fewer than 50 individuals.

Biology: Mountain caribou, which are found across Canada and parts of Alaska, are an ecotype of the woodland caribou,. Mountain caribou live in old-growth forests in steep mountain ranges, where they rely on tree lichens for their winter food. Their large feet act like snowshoes, enabling them to walk on top of the snow and feed on the lichens draped on old-growth trees. Females have one calf in early June. Caribou are unique in the deer family in that both sexes have antlers.

The good news: habitat protected

In February of 2009, the BC government legally protected more than 5.4 million acres (2.2 million hectares) of endangered mountain caribou habitat due—largely to the efforts of ForestEthics and our allies. The province also prohibited motorized recreation across 2.4 million acres (one million hectares) of caribou habitat. While this is a significant step forward for mountain caribou, some protections against mineral exploration development, snowmobiling and heli-skiing are still outstanding—unfinished business that presents an unnecessary risk to the future recovery of the species. We have released an "IOU" list of outstanding commitments and will be watching closely to ensure that the BC government keeps its promises.
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