Analysis Of Recovery Strategies For Boreal Woodland Caribou Populations In The Cold Lake And Little Smoky Regions Of Alberta

• Main Author: Akmal, Tehreem
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Sustainable Energy Development 2015
• Subjects: Canada; Rangifer tarandus
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1880/109661; https://doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/35920

The oil and gas industry is an integral component of Alberta’s economic well-being. The boreal forest is home to caribou and many of its ranges intersect at sites of industrial development in Alberta. The boreal woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) is currently listed as threatened under the Canada Species at Risk Act and Alberta Wildlife Act. This research study evaluates three potential caribou recovery strategies: habitat restoration, predator control, and policy and land-use planning that could be applied to the Cold Lake and Little Smoky herds in Alberta. The first phase of the research project included a detailed literature review to gain a thorough understanding of caribou management. The second phase included targeted interviews with experts in caribou management including individuals from Alberta government, academia, industry, and non-governmental organization. All groups except the Alberta government respondents felt that the current regulations for recovery strategies lacked political will, whereas Alberta government representatives seemed more concerned with meeting the statutory caribou protection measures required under the federal Species at Risk legislation. Overall, the management tools were perceived to be essential but need to be applied on a case-by-case basis. The main recommendation from the research project is that stronger collaboration, improved enforcement of mitigation tools, and clear rules and direction by the provincial government are needed for the sustainability of woodland caribou populations in Alberta.