A new interactive tool is allowing British Columbians to help wildlife biologists monitor moose populations and inform conservation efforts, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson announced today.

The B.C. Moose Tracker app, available through iTunes, lets users upload information on the number, sex and location of moose they encounter in the wild directly to an online database. The data will the help the Province monitor moose populations by alerting staff to emerging issues. 

The app also includes a digital version of 2016-2018 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis, a searchable, interactive summary of hunting regulations throughout British Columbia.

The app supports the Province’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its moose management strategy through the modernization of licensing, inventory and research methods.

The Province developed B.C. Moose Tracker in consultation with the B.C. Wildlife Federation and with the financial support of the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation.

Quotes:

Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations –

“The Province is committed to ensuring sustainable wildlife populations throughout B.C. and informs its management decisions with the best available scientific research. The Moose Tracker app gives us a cost-effective way to identify demographic trends and inform B.C.’s moose management framework.” 

Ross Peck, chair, Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation –

“Hunters hold a tremendous amount of knowledge about what’s happening out on the landscape. They have long supported – and participated in – important conservation initiatives, and this app provides a new means for them to contribute to the sustainable management of wildlife in B.C.”

Jim Glaciar, president, B.C. Wildlife Federation –

“Our members are committed to using the best available science to inform conservation and wildlife management activities. We’re proud to have played a role in making this app a reality. It provides an innovative approach to moose inventory and gives the public across the province an important role in collecting and reporting better information to manage this species.”

Quick Facts

• There are between 120,000 to 200,000 moose in British Columbia.
• In Province spends $750,000 each year on wildlife inventories.
• The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation uses surcharges collected on angling, hunting, trapping and guide outfitter licences to fund fish, wildlife and habitat projects in British Columbia.

Learn More:

Download the app: www.gov.bc.ca/wildlifehealth/moosetracker

Read the latest news release on what the Province is doing to strengthen moose management in B.C.: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016FLNR0026-000343

Review the Province’s moose management plan: https://news.gov.bc.ca/stories/province-launches-comprehensive-moose-study

Find out more about the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation: http://www.hctf.ca

Visit the B.C. Wildlife Federation website: http://www.bcwf.bc.ca/