The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is taking immediate action to save the Columbia North caribou herd from wolf predation.

The Columbia North caribou herd has an estimated population of between 125 to 145 animals. About 180,000 hectares of mountain caribou habitat in the area have been protected. Caribou cows from this herd have been part of a maternity pen project that has been running since 2014.

Aerial wolf removal of individuals in caribou habitat is required to enhance the population of the Caribou North herd and to increase calf survival from the maternity pen project. Preliminary results of wolf removal near the Klinse-Za maternity pen in the south Peace indicate wolf removal is effective in increasing calf survival.

To effectively recover endangered caribou populations, a combination of actions is required, which includes habitat protection and restoration, as well as predator management. The government has set aside caribou habitat from industrial activity and recreational activities, such as snowmobiling. Altogether, 2.2 million hectares of habitat are protected around the province.

The wolf population in B.C. is stable to increasing. Grey wolves are not an endangered or threatened species. The estimated median population of wolves is 8,500.