The Province is investing $1.2 million to help increase moose populations following the release of a multi-level strategy to restore B.C.’s moose populations, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson announced today.

The funding is a response to the Strategy to Help Restore Moose Populations in British Columbia, which advises government to set priorities in key regions and enhance the integration of moose management with other land use activities.

The Province is acting on all 21 recommendations in the report. Some of the immediate actions taken include:

• Reducing the number of limited-entry hunts for moose cows and calves from 1,792 in 2011 to 200 in 2016.
• Preparing moose management plans for the Peace, Omineca and Cariboo regions.
• Using existing tools to increase habitat protection.
• Expanding moose survey work planned for this winter to include calf mortality.

The moose strategy report was prepared by Al Gorley who consulted with numerous First Nations – including the Tsilhqot’in National Government, Tahltan and Okanagan Nation Alliance – the B.C. Wildlife Federation, the Guide and Outfitters Association of B.C., the Wildlife Stewardship Council, the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association, and the Council of Forest Industries.

This new funding is in addition to the $750,000 British Columbia is already spending on moose management this year. The new money is earmarked for on-the-ground activities like habitat enhancement and decommissioning unused forest service roads, which can affect moose survival, as well as research activities.

Quotes:

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

“This initiative and additional resources will help us immediately address some of the recommendations in Gorley’s report. The funding helps us take action to support moose, while ensuring that British Columbia remains at the forefront of wildlife management.”

Al Gorley, author, Strategy to Help Restore Moose Populations in British Columbia –

“After hearing concerns from people across the province I am very encouraged to see the government is moving ahead with the strategy.”

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

“The B.C. Wildlife Federation supports the immediate implementation of recommendations from the Gorley report. We commend the government for funding a framework for moose recovery that collaboratively sets measurable objectives for habitat and population goals at a landscape  scale and we look forward to expanding this approach to other wildlife species.”

Scott Ellis, executive director, Guide Outfitters Association of B.C. –

“The Guide Outfitters Association of B.C. is pleased to see government is taking immediate action to enhance and restore moose populations. If we make good decisions surrounding habitat protection, the moose populations will recover. This is important to all British Columbians.”

John Henderson, president, Wildlife Stewardship Council –

“The Wildlife Stewardship Council supports First Nations, government and stakeholders working collectively to manage wildlife. We support this pilot project to restore moose populations and look forward to seeing increased funding support for ongoing wildlife monitoring and management.”

Quick Facts:

• The Strategy to Help Restore Moose Populations in British Columbia builds on the 2015 Provincial Framework for Moose Management and on the findings of the ongoing Interior moose populations study. 
• The Province also released an interim report on this population study.

Learn More:

• Read Gorley’s full report at: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/wildlife/management-issues/docs/Restoring-and-Enhancing-Moose-Populations-in-BC-July-8-2016.pdf
• Review the Province’s moose management framework at: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/wildlife/management-issues/docs/provincial_framework_for_moose_management_bc.pdf.
• Review the Province’s interim progress report on moose research at: http://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eirs/viewDocumentDetail.do?fromStatic=true&repository=BDP&documentId=12520