Provincial government biologists successfully moved three caribou from the South Selkirk and South Purcells herds to Revelstoke last week.

The two endangered caribou herds had dwindled to six animals. The animals – the single remaining South Selkirk cow and one cow and one bull from the South Purcells herd were moved to a holding facility near Revelstoke to protect them from predators.

Two bulls and one male yearling in the South Purcells could not be captured safely. All three captured animals are in good condition. The hope is that these animals will be able to join the Columbia-North herd, which has an estimated population of 147 animals. They will be closely monitored to determine the right time to release them back into the wild.  

The B.C. government is acting on its commitment to protect caribou populations. The number of caribou in British Columbia has been in decline over the past century, from approximately 40,000 animals, to about 15,000 today.

To support the recovery of caribou, the Province is investing $27 million over three years to develop and implement an extensive Provincial Caribou Recovery Program Plan. Actions include protecting remaining caribou in the province, increasing habitat protection in select locations, habitat restoration, supplemental feeding, primary prey management, predator management and enhanced research and monitoring.

Learn More:

For a video of caribou in their habitat, visit: https://youtu.be/5X8nlgWP7x4

For photos of the recent caribou relocations, visit: https://flic.kr/p/QA3b8R

For more information on caribou in B.C., visit: gov.bc.ca/caribou

For more information on the provincial caribou recovery program, visit: engage.gov.bc.ca/caribou