Telkwa Mountains Caribou Recovery Project Update

UPDATE: The Telkwa Caribou Recovery Project now has a Facebook page. This page is revised often and is a good source of information regarding the project and current developments. They provide video, images, and up-to-date information regarding the location of collared caribou within the Telkwa’s.

Check out the Facebook page.

Did you know that you are already participating in a vital Recovery Project in the Telkwa Mountains? Since the late 2000’s, the Voluntary Recreational Access Management Plan has attempted to manage recreational access to the Telkwa Mountain Ranges to ensure the health of the Telkwa Caribou herd and avoid extirpation of the species from the Telkwas.

Extirpation: Local extinction; when a species 

ceases to exist in a chosen geographic area.

In February and March 2013, a collaring and survey study was conducted by the Fish and Wildlife Section of the Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations in Smithers, BC, and the results from this study suggest that the communities that originally developed the Recreational Access Management Plan need to do much more to ensure the survival of Northern Caribou in our Telkwa Mountains. Not only are the minimum number of caribou known alive very low (twelve animals in total), but sign of snowmobile tracks were observed outside of the designated recreational area. As a service to the public and our members, we have provided some interesting and helpful information from FLNRO’s study as well as a reminder of the agreed upon boundaries for recreation in the Telkwas.

Snowmobiles are     allowed in the light green area. The snowmobile icons indicate areas where   snowmobile tracks were observed during the February and March 2013 study. Caribou icons indicate caribou sightings during the same survey.  Source:  Thiessan, C. 2013.

Snowmobiles are allowed in the light green area. The snowmobile icons indicate areas where snowmobile tracks were observed during the February and March 2013 study. Caribou icons indicate caribou sightings during the same survey.
Source: Thiessen, C. 2013.

Results from Thiessen, C. 2013. Telkwa Caribou collaring and survey: February/March 2013. BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations.

Results from Thiessen, C. 2013. Telkwa Caribou collaring and survey: February/March 2013. BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations.

 

 What Can We Do to Help?

Remember the areas that are off limits to recreation (motorized and otherwise), and the dates between which you cannot enter the Telkwas.

Agree to follow the Recreational Access Management Plan and honour the community    consensus that was such an accomplishment.

Behave in a manner that follows the Management Plan and protects the caribou.

 Behaviour Protocols

1) No Dogs.

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2) Do not follow caribou tracks.

3) Do not approach caribou, even for photographs. Stay downwind.

4) Turn off your machine if you meet caribou. Wait for caribou to leave calmly, then immediately leave the area.

5) Leave area immediately if you meet caribou, even on foot.

6) Remember, you are in their home.

 Caribou survival depends on the community.

Source: Telkwa Mountains Caribou Recovery Project Voluntary Recreation Access Restrictions, March 2003

Source: Telkwa Mountains Caribou Recovery Project Voluntary Recreation Access Restrictions, March 2003

Zone A: No restrictions (Integrated Use)  Zone B: Non-motorized areas. No dogs. Some motorized use is potentially available.  Zone C: May 1st—Sept 15th: Non-motorized. Winter motorized (Sept 16—April 30). No dogs all year. Zone D: No recreational access except non-motorized between July 15—Sept 30. No dogs all year. Mooseskin Johnny Trail: Motorized access along trail to Mooseskin Johnny Lk only

Source Material:                                                                                                           Thiessen, C. 2013. Telkwa caribou collaring and survey: February/March 2013. BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations. Smithers, BC. 14 pp.       Telkwa Mountains Caribou Recovery Project Voluntary Recreation Access Restrictions, March 2003