Caribou Conservation Breeding Proposal

Planning sketch of the proposed conservation breeding facility.To establish a conservation breeding program, Parks Canada will need to build a breeding centre (with a large fenced area and a variety of pens and buildings) where a captive herd can live and raise young caribou until they are ready for release into the wild. Parks Canada proposes locating the facility along the Geraldine Fire Road, 30 kilometres south of the Jasper townsite. This site is considered the preferred location because: 

• it is relatively quiet, with low human disturbance
• close to typical caribou habitat
• away from large concentrations of other wild ungulates and entirely separate from domestic livestock that may carry contagious diseases
• relatively close to source sites for wild caribou and release of captive-raised caribou
• relatively close to utilities and services required to run the facility
• accessible to Parks Canada staff and specialists from the Jasper townsite

For more information, click here.

Do you have recommendations for avoiding or mitigating these concerns?

To form a captive breeding herd, Parks Canada proposes capturing a small number of wild caribou from regional “source” herds and bringing them to live in a conservation breeding facility in Jasper. Parks Canada is considering rescuing the remaining animals from the Brazeau, capturing some animals from the Tonquin, and some from other regional herds in Alberta or British Columbia. Capture would take place over several years and ensure that the wild herds are not negatively affected.

The goal is to obtain caribou from source herds with the closest genetic and behavioural match to the wild herds where the animals will be released. Research is ongoing to inform this. Risks associated with the capture, handling, and transport would be mitigated by employing established best practices from other caribou capture, rearing, and translocation programs.

Additional research and conversations with regional partners, particularly the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, are needed before any final decisions are made. 

For more information, click here.

Do you have any comments or concerns about removing caribou from southern mountain caribou herds in Alberta and British Columbia? For example, the Brazeau, Tonquin, À la Pêche, or Columbia North caribou herds.

Do you have any comments or concerns about the process of capturing and moving wild caribou into captivity?

Do you have recommendations for avoiding or mitigating these concerns?

To produce young caribou that can be added to the wild population, Parks Canada proposes establishing a healthy breeding herd of caribou in a conservation breeding facility in Jasper. Intensive management of the breeding herd will be required. Animals in the facility will require feeding, water, and care for their health and wellbeing. The young caribou that will be released each year will not be around humans as much – the goal is to keep them as wild as possible.

Conservation Breeding Cycle

 

Planning sketch for the proposed conservation breeding facility

 

For more information, click here.

Do you have any comments or concerns about breeding caribou in a facility?

Do you have recommendations for avoiding or mitigating these concerns?

To increase the population size of the Tonquin herd to be self-sustaining, Parks Canada proposes releasing young caribou born in the facility into the Tonquin herd first. Young caribou (10-14 months old) would be transported from the facility to a temporary pen. Other wild caribou could be temporarily relocated to the release pen to help the animals bond and adapt to each other and the environment. All animals in the release pen would be set free into the wild after two to three weeks. 

For more information, click here.

Do you have any comments or concerns about releasing caribou?

Do you have any recommendations for avoiding or mitigating these concerns?

To help Parks Canada understand and eliminate, reduce, or control potentially adverse effects this program could have on people or key ecological, cultural, and social values, the proposal has undergone a Detailed Impact Assessment (DIA). Parks Canada expects that it is unlikely for significant adverse impacts to occur as long as mitigations are implemented (pending feedback received through consultation). 

The scope of the Detailed Impact Assessment is available on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry website. The draft Detailed Impact Assessment is available by request. Email caribou@pc.gc.ca to request a copy.

Do you have any comments or concerns about the draft Detailed Impact Assessment?

What else does Parks Canada need to know when making a decision about whether to proceed with this project?