Mountain caribou survive the winter by using their broad hooves to stand on top of deep snow and eat the lichen draped from old-growth trees. British Columbia is home to over 95% of the world’s remaining mountain caribou but despite declining population numbers the government continues to authorize logging in the caribou’s shrinking habitat. (Milo Burcham)
Globally Unique
Mountain Caribou & the Inland Temperate Rainforest
Hundreds of kilometers inland from the storm-lashed coastal forests of British Columbia, Pacific weather systems collide with the Columbia and Cariboo Mountains to create the only inland temperate rainforest on Earth. Here lush valleys clad with ancient forests and ribboned with glacier-fed streams provide habitat of unparalleled beauty and richness, and form the sources of the mighty Fraser, Thompson and Columbia Rivers.
These mountain landscapes support abundant wildlife, fish and plant species, including legendary salmon runs, grizzly bears, wolves, wolverines and mountain caribou, the icon of the inland temperate rainforest. This rich ecological heritage provides critical ecosystem services, such as clean air and water. Its world-class recreation opportunities make it a tourism mecca for people from around the world.
The globally unique mountain caribou is a variety of woodland caribou that are adapted to the special conditions of these wet, mountainous forests. Mountain caribou "migrate" up and down the mountainsides, from the valley floors in spring and fall to the high forests in winter and summer. They require unbroken tracts of old-growth forest for food and for security from predators. Because of this dependency, mountain caribou are considered "indicators" of the ecological integrity of these old-growth forests.
Mountain caribou are considered an "indicator species" that reflects the ecological
integrity of the inland temperate rainforest.
They are also considered an "umbrella" species: protecting caribou and their habitat
helps conserve a wealth of other forest values and species. Above: Ancient western
redcedars in the
Goat River Valley.
(Gary Diers).
Mountain caribou
(Terry Parker).
Mountain caribou are one of the most endangered mammals in North America. Their numbers have been steadily declining, from approximately 2,200 in the late 1990s to approximately 1,900 (1) today, mostly due to human-caused habitat changes. What may have once been one large mountain caribou population has been fragmented into as many as 18 sub-populations. Tragically, two small herds have recently disappeared entirely. Half of historic mountain caribou range no longer supports caribou. No wonder mountain caribou are listed as "endangered" by the BC Conservation Data Centre, and as "threatened" by the Canadian government under the Canadian Species at Risk Act (SARA).
The Forest Practices Board (the BC government’s "independent watchdog for sound forest practices") stated in 2004 that: "The substantial and continuing decline in the mountain caribou population is serious and requires urgent government attention... Government will need to make difficult decisions in the short and medium term on issues such as habitat conservation, predator/prey management and recreational access to demonstrate a serious commitment to mountain caribou recovery."(2)
Premier Gordon Campbell has committed the provincial government to "lead the world in sustainable environmental management", including ensuring that British Columbia’s priceless natural heritage can provide for future generations. Mountain caribou will provide a clear yardstick with which to measure the government’s commitment. British Columbia needs a recovery plan for the endangered mountain caribou – one that commits to recovery of all remaining mountain caribou herds.
Decisions are being made right now. Read on to find out how you can help.
