Conserving an alpine enigma

Mysterious and rarely seen, the southern mountain caribou of Banff, Glacier, Jasper and Mount Revelstoke national parks are ghost-like enigmas. Highly adapted to the alpine environment, the species needs large swaths of mountainous terrain, undisturbed old forest habitat, an abundance of lichen to eat and relative freedom from predators. But conditions are changing and mountain caribou are declining in turn. Deer, elk and moose have become more common in the parks, which has attracted predators (wolf, bear) and increased the mortality of caribou – especially their vulnerable calves. Disturbing caribou during the critical winter season is also known to stress them. Backcountry recreation (skiing, snowshoeing) can unintentionally push caribou off their favoured habitats, causing them to use energy reserves and lowering their chance of survival. Winter recreation trails are also used by wolves, further increasing the chance of predation. If this secretive species is to survive, we need to better understand their needs, carefully manage their habitat and boost the population. We will also likely need a bit of luck.