ENVR 4000: Wildlife Management

Owl-Flintstone Boreal

Woodland Caribou Herd

Wildlife Management Report:

Impacts & Recommendations

4/20/2015

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Acknowledgments

The many ideas, thoughts and recommendations laid out in the following wildlife management

report would not have been possible if it was not for our many wildlife specialists helping answer

our questions along the way. It was through everyone’s great contributions to our course project

that have made moving forward with caribou conservation and management into the future

achievable.

First a big thank you to our professor, Dr. Rick Baydack for once again offering this course to

students and allowing us to explore real life issues while digging into the important but difficult

questions regarding wildlife management.

Second, Mr. Dennis Brannen from Manitoba Conservation and also the front-runner in the

province’s current and past action plans for caribou as a threatened species. The government

angle along with active research that has been conducted in the field gave us all a great

understanding of what pressures caribou are facing, what has been done in the past and, what

should take place moving forward. Thank you very much for investing your time to

communicating via email and also meeting with our group multiple times to answer our many

questions.

Third, Dr. David Walker a professor at the University of Manitoba and, Dr. Erin McCance also a

professor of ours at the University of Manitoba, a big thank you to you both. The years of

experience you both shared with us about other ungulates, predator pressures, anthropogenic

stresses and general ecology helped us take a huge step back to understand the true scope and

dynamics of threatened caribou populations.

Fourth, thank you to Mr. Vince Keenan of Maskwa Ecological Consulting for meeting with us

and giving us an overview of forestry in Manitoba, how the operations run and, how caribou and

other wildlife are considered in the planning process. Also a huge thank you to the ‘doc moose’

or Dr. Vince Crichton for emailing and sparing your time to speak on the phone to discuss

critical management issues involving caribou and what can be accomplished in the future.

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Fifth, thank you to Dr. Doug Schindler the founder of Joro Consulting firm for a lengthy email

response on key insight we were looking for on moving forward with management of the Owl-

Flintstone caribou herd.

Lastly, brings us to Dr. Art Rodgers of Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Dr. Jim Schaefer

of University of Alberta and, Mrs. Amy Flasko, a caribou recovery biologist from Grande

Prairie, Alberta. Thank you to all three of you for speaking and emailing with us to answer inter-

jurisdictional questions we had about management, limitations and pressures in managing for

caribou in other provinces.

It was a pleasure meeting and speaking with many of you multiple times in order to formulate

the end result of this eye opening wildlife management project. Your time was very valued and

we all look forward to speaking and hopefully working and/or crossing paths again in the near

future.

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Table of Contents

Title Page

Acknowledgements .........................................................................................................................1

Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................3

Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................4

1.0 Background ................................................................................................................................5

2.0 Impacts .......................................................................................................................................7

2.1 Anthropogentic Impacts .........................................................................................................7

2.2 Natural Impacts ...................................................................................................................10

3.0 Outline of Course Objectives ..................................................................................................11

4.0 Recommendations & Suggestions ..........................................................................................13

5.0 Advantages in Management of Caribou .................................................................................22

6.0 Conclusion ..............................................................................................................................24

Works Cited ..................................................................................................................................26

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Executive Summary

The Owl-Flintstone boreal woodland caribou herd (Rangifer tarandus caribou) occupies the east

side of Lake Winnipeg’s boreal forest. Their range extends south of the Manigotagan River and

east to the Ontario-Manitoba border. As the most southern herd in province of Manitoba, the

Owl Flintstone herd is listed as a “high conservation status”, however, the population is currently

steady at an estimated 70 individuals. Due to anthropogenic landscape changes from industry and

recreation, the herd is at a risk of population decline. The Owl-Flintstone herd particularly avoids

moose and deer habitat as a survival strategy of predator avoidance and survives off of tough

lichen in pristine old growth forests. Fragmentation of old growth forests via linear features such

as roads and trails have been found to increase predation rates by wolves, black bears, etc. and

potentially hunting by having easier accessibility to the herd.

The objective of this report is to provide feedback on how human landscape alterations are

affecting the herd, based on meetings and interviews with professionals in the field. After months

of collecting data from our sources, we offer recommendations for the Government of Manitoba

to consider in managing the Owl-Flintstone herd. These recommendations selected relate to

filling in research gaps to better understand current habitat and populations of the herd. Other

recommendations pertain to public awareness; Nopiming Provincial Park wilderness

management; inter-jurisdictional communication; precautionary disease and predator

management; restrictions towards hunting and development in wintering areas; control of forest

fires, and lastly running of an ALCES system to better understand the herds environmental

parameters. Management is much easier said than done, therefore in hopes of maintain a healthy

herd into the future, caribou conservation must be “a long term business” that needs a broad time

frame and approached from a landscape perspective (Schaefer, 2015).

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1.0 Background

Current Status and Protection

Currently boreal woodland caribou are threatened under COSEWIC (2002), SARA (2003), and

MESA (2006). The Manitoba Endangered Species Act (MESA) states that:

"10(1) No person shall (b) destroy, disturb or interfere with the habitat of an endangered

species, a threatened species or an extirpated species that has been reintroduced;"

(Government of Manitoba, 2011).

Population

Population monitoring of the Owl-Flintstone herd

began in the 1970’s and along with recent estimates,

suggests that the herd has remained relatively stable

(Crichton, 2015). A minimum population of 62

animals was reported in the 2011 Caribou Action Plan

but may be as high as 70 animals. Since there is a

possibility that groups of animals could have been

missed if there was no collar on any member of the

group, these estimates could be inaccurate

(Government of Manitoba, 2011).

Another major factor to consider when assessing the

population dynamics of the Owl-Flintstone herd are

survival rates and calf recruitment. Data from collared

animals suggests high adult survival, likely greater than

80%. Calf recruitment of the herd is unknown but is expected to be low (Caribou Action Plan,

2011; Walker, 2015).

Figure 1: (Government of Manitoba, 2011)

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Range

The Owl-Flintstone herd’s range (Figure 1) is located south of the Manigotagan River, north of

the Winnipeg River and east of Highway 304. Highway 314 runs through the herd’s range as

well as a transmission line. The herd’s range extends into Nopiming Provincial Park and a few

caribou have been tracked into Ontario. The area is a popular recreational area for hunters,

canoers, cottagers, hikers, fisherman and campers. The area also has a history of mining activity

and forestry on the southern and northern fringes of the herd’s range.

Habitat

Woodland caribou have very specific habitat needs.

They spread out thinly over large areas for predator

avoidance but form small groups in the fall and winter.

Woodland caribou are found to favour old growth

uplands, lakes and bogs for travel (Schaefer and Pruitt,

1991). In terms of food, lichens are an important food

source for caribou. Different lichens occur at different

stages in forest succession but are most abundant in

late-successional forests and decline in forests older

than 200 years (Schindler, 2006). Recently burned

forests and intermediate aged forests are unsuitable

habitat for woodland caribou. However, it is important

to have these areas present in the landscape since they

will provide lichen-rich habitat in the future for

caribou (Schaefer and Pruitt, 1991).

Woodland caribou calving areas are often found on islands

or right next to lakes as well as treed islands within bogs. This is thought to be chosen to protect

calves from predators (Walker, 2015). Summer habitat is known to include deciduous forest

stands associated with mature conifer forests. Wintering areas are typically rocky outcrops with

jack pine forest. Caribou are known to move between these areas seasonally but some caribou

Figure 2: (Government of Manitoba, 2011)

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have also resided in the same area year-round (Manitoba Model Forest, 2005). Their summer and

winter use areas are shown in Figure 2.

2.0 Impacts

When a range is of smaller size such as the Owl-Flintstone’s herd range, threats towards them

tend to be more concentrated and have further immediate impacts to the population. The threats

identified for the high-risk ranges are primarily of anthropogenic origins (Government of

Manitoba, 2011). The overall identified threats include:

“Habitat loss, alteration, fragmentation through landscape changes resulting from

industrial activities;

Landscape changes as a result of natural disturbances including wildfire;

Landscape changes resulting from existing and development of new linear features;

Disturbance by other human activities (ex. recreational activities);

Predation;

Increases in densities of other ungulate species;

Parasites and Disease;

Climate Change;

First Nation Harvest;

Illegal Hunting.” (Government of Manitoba, 2011).

2.1 Anthropogenic Impacts

A. Recreation

Increased recreational activities in South-Eastern Manitoba are progressively overlapping into

remote caribou calving and wintering areas causing fragmentation and impacting caribou

movements. A large percentage of the herds calving areas are within Nopiming Provincial Park.

There are numerous recreational disturbances that directly affect the calving of the caribou herd.

Although protection of the woodland caribou is a priority in the park, more backcountry

designation is desired. With 19% of the park allocated towards recreational development, the

park accommodates intensive recreational facilities such as campgrounds, commercial lodges,

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recreational staging areas, cottage subdivisions, camps, etc. Manicured lawns of well-managed

cottages create a highly unnatural setting for caribou in the park. With this high concentration of

human activity, there is an increasing amount of disturbance and linear features that cause

additional fragmentation of the boreal forest habitat. The many recreational activities that cause

an increase in linear features include; quading, ATVs, hiking, biking, snowmobiling, etc.

Caribou have been found to stay away from quad trails to avoid human contact or potentially

avoid predators using these trails (Schaefer, 2015). Caribou were found to use quality habitat

adjacent to the road less than quality habitat more than a kilometer away from a road (Schindler,

Walker, Davis, & Westwood, 2010). This suggests that roads impact habitat by making it less

suitable for caribou.

Nopiming Provincial Park is a popular area for canoeing, camping, hiking and fishing. Within

the backcountry designation in areas of the park, caribou commonly have their calves on islands

or peninsulas near large lakes to likely escape predation in the spring. With an open walleye

season throughout May and June in Manitoba and Ontario, motorboats can cause stress on the

animals and impact where they choose to calf. This can force caribou to suboptimal rearing

areas. Restrictions against the use of motor boats in these areas are difficult to ban due to

popularity of the sport. Overall, recreation is known to have a significant impact on caribou,

especially for the Owl-Flintstone herd since Nopiming Provincial Park and the surrounding area

accommodate many recreational activities.

B. Predation

As human developments increase, a foundation and work site are established. This creates ample

space for industrial equipment, supplies, people and vehicles, which cause impressions on the

land. Furthermore as humans build new areas, sites and, roads they create linear features.

Predator species such as wolves prefer and are known to use these linear features as means of

travel (Walker, 2015). Other suspected predators of caribou are black bears, wolverines and lynx.

On the contrary, caribou are an elusive species and prefer to stay away from noises, people and

other disturbances and therefore stay away from roads. Also, if deer or moose begin to inhabit

the area there could be higher wolf populations as a result and this also may increase predation

on caribou. High predation rates of caribou are a major issue as caribou are not a highly breeding

species compared to other ungulates and even compared to their predators who are giving birth

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more often on an annual basis. In addition to the low birth rates, caribou’s first year survival rate,

similar to other species, is extremely low at around 90% not surviving their first year (Brannen,

2015). Therefore this is a crucial aspect of predation as many of those calves are lost from

possibly being eaten. Predation of a species in the wild is an expected process but increased

fragmentation from humans can potentially promote more predation, having large impacts on a

vulnerable, isolated herd such as the Owl-Flintstone herd.

C. Habitat Conversions

Human impacts on the landscape have the potential to cause significant damage to the ecosystem

and to caribou populations since caribou are known to stay away from human industrial

activities. Many suggest that the most detrimental human impact to caribou is through loss of

habitat due to avoidance of good quality habitat close to industrial activity infrastructure

(Reimers & Colman, 2006). In general, the current distribution, intensity, amount, and type of

human activity in or near caribou ranges likely compromises the caribou habitat (Dyer, O’Neill,

Wasel, & Boutin, 2001).

Forestry practices are of major concern to woodland caribou since they alter the landscape

usually on a large scale. Clear-cut logging restarts succession, creating unfavourable conditions

for slow-growing lichens a key component in caribou diet (Darby & Duquette, 1986). Logging

can also result in forest stand conversions from coniferous trees to deciduous trees. This

conversion results in habitat rich in woody browse, benefiting moose and deer but not caribou

(Darby & Duquette, 1986). The colonization of moose and deer can impact predation rates, as

discussed in section 2.1 B. Access roads for forestry operations and other industrial activities are

believed to reduce functional habitat bordering the road (Schindler, Walker, Davis, & Westwood,

2010).

The Owl-Flintstone herd has been subjected to forest harvest when Tembec was still operating in

the province of Manitoba. Since the mill closed in 2009, there has been no forest harvesting

operations. It is also unknown if or when forestry operations will resume. Since there are historic

harvest areas in the herd’s range, it is unknown if the caribou will return to these areas in the

future as caribou generally stay away from active harvest sites (Reimers & Colman, 2006).

Studies have found that caribou have returned to previously logged areas in Ontario (Rodgers,

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2015). However, there are many variables that could play a role in whether caribou will return or

not to the logging areas in the Owl-Flintstone’s range. These include replanting practices, target

species, mixed forest vs. monoculture forests, or prescribed burning after logging. It is important

to understand and consider the impacts of logging in case a forestry company does begin to

operate again. The forest in and around the Owl-Flintstone range is susceptible to future logging

since it is located relatively close to major transportation networks in the south.

2.2 Natural Impacts

A. Disease

Disease and parasites among mammals and other species are very common in wildlife. Some

have harsh and lethal effects on animals and others show no signs of infection at all. One of the

main ways disease is known to spread is due to the mobility of their hosts. For example, this is

why many human diseases and sicknesses have been found in numerous corners of many

countries around the world, due to the fast transportation of planes that many humans participate

in. Human beings and the cattle that they raise also get traded in the food industry and so on,

ultimately creating a puzzling network of where disease began and where it ends. Overall, one

should be educated about various wildlife disease, signs and what to avoid.

Deer species such as white-tailed deer specifically, are known to carry and disperse into the

environment a meningeal worm known as brainworm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis or p. tenuis).

This is usually fatal in moose and caribou, and is generally benign in deer species (Henttonen &

Tikhonov, 2008). As a result, in many instances, moose and caribou are not found in areas where

white-tailed deer inhabit (Henttonen & Tikhonov, 2008). Deer species in the southern half of the

province are known to be virtually 100% infected and carriers of brainworm (Crichton, 2015).

This poses a threat to caribou herds, especially the Owl-Flintstone herd who occupy the most

southern range in the province and are in relatively close proximity to deer.

B. Wildfires

Forest fires have always been a critical component to the boreal forest ecosystem. As a result,

woodland caribou have adapted to this fire-driven ecosystem. Fire has both positive and negative

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impacts on woodland caribou depending on which time frame you consider under investigation.

In the short-term (50 years or less) there are negative impacts on caribou. First, fires initially

destroy the lichens and the other forage species caribou depend on. Second, lichens are not

usually found in early successional forest types and caribou do not usually utilize the species

found recently after fires. Lastly, depending on the intensity of the burn, fallen trees and very

thick regrowth can significantly affect caribou travel diminishing use of these areas (Klein,

1982). As a fire burns an area within the herd’s range, there is a loss of functional caribou

habitat, which restricts caribou movements and negatively impacts population dynamics.

Fires also have a positive impact on caribou and their habitat in the long term. First, fires are

crucial in maintaining a range of forest age classes. This is important in maintaining high lichen

availability within the landscape. Secondly, fires are important because they regenerate old

growth forests, which have declining lichen productivity. Therefore forest that is too old

becomes unsuitable for lichen and consequently, caribou (Klein, 1982).

3.0 Outline of Course Objectives

Wildlife Management (ENVR 4000) is a course offered at the University of Manitoba in the

Earth, Environment and Resource faculty. The course was designed aimed at getting students to

explore and examine various wildlife management issues by undertaking a group project. Given

the time frame of the course duration, the intentions set for the class had to reflect what could be

accomplished in that time. Therefore the two main objectives regarding caribou management for

the Owl-Flintstone herd were:

Objective 1: Examine and Document How Anthropogenic Landscape Changes Affect the

Owl-Flintstone Herd

Actions:

Literature review on available data on the Owl-Flintstone herd

o Industry, recreation, road networks, etc.

Review available literature on anthropogenic influences in other caribou herds in Canada

Talk to contacts to order the severity of each anthropogenic impact

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Objective 2: Provide recommendations to the province of Manitoba to better manage the

Owl-Flintstone herd

Actions:

Research and review most current recovery strategies:

o Manitoba’s Conservation and Recovery Strategy for Boreal Woodland Caribou,

2005

o Action Plans Boreal Caribou Ranges in Manitoba 2011

o Manitoba’s Boreal Woodland Caribou recovery strategy 2014

o Eastern Manitoba Woodland Caribou Advisory Committee Report 2005

Meet with specialists and professionals regarding their opinions

Communicate with contacts from various jurisdictions (Ontario and Alberta) to

investigate successful and unsuccessful recovery strategies in their management areas

Elaborate on the current strategies by adding suggestions and improvements based on

discussions with our contacts and review of the recovery strategies.

The above goals were met after accomplishing objective 1 and 2 through the actions outlined.

We were able to complete this by progressively speaking and meeting with our many contacts to

gain insight about specific wildlife, forestry, industry and other provincial issues that affect

caribou and the Owl-Flintstone herd.

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4.0 Recommendations & Suggestions

The second objective for this report is to provide some thoughtful recommendations and

suggestions for the province of Manitoba to consider incorporating into their management

strategies. The goal is to see a self-sustaining herd without a “high conservation status”

designation. The following headings (1-13) outline a set of recommendations based on literature

reviews and also personal communications with our contacts.

1. Incorporate ALCES Wildlife Management Software

ALCES is software available to use for a variety of reasons regarding wildlife and the landscape.

After inputting required information, ALCES may give explanation to the natural range of

variation of a wildlife herd. This may not be a perfect value, but is a very good estimate and

much-needed start to understand where the Owl-Flintstone population number variations are at

today (McCance, 2015). Using ALCES, ground level habitat information would be essential to

gather. Currently, habitat is classified based on forest age gathered in previous years but not by

the physical characteristics that make suitable caribou habitat (i.e. lichens) (Walker, 2015).

ALCES could also be used to project landscape changes. This will provide direction for

development approvals and placement on the landscape, both local and regional (McCance,

2015). Overall, through these analyses re-assessments of the herd’s sustainability, conservation

status and, action plans for management can move forward productively. By incorporating

ALCES into wildlife management for the Owl-Flintstone herd, we can get a better understanding

of the herd to better prepare for the future.

2. Committee Funding Increase

One critical way stakeholders engage regarding the best management strategies for the Owl-

Flintstone herd is through the Eastern Manitoba Woodland Caribou Advisory Committee

(EMWCAC), a sub-committee of the Manitoba Model Forest. In addition to bringing many

stakeholders together, the committee’s main goal is to provide management recommendations to

the government by conducting research and monitoring. The Manitoba Model Forest receives

funding from the federal, provincial and municipal governments, industry, non-government

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organizations and individual donations. Without Tembec, which was once a major contributor, as

well as federal government changes, funding has diminished. With less funding, the committee

will be less effective. Stakeholder engagement is vital to ensuring management strategies are

effective while maintaining the interests of all the players affected by caribou management plans.

With less funding, the committee has not been able to hold caribou workshops or create caribou

curriculums for schools, both critical aspects to raise awareness for some of the issues facing the

Owl-Flintstone herd (Brannen, 2015).

3. Predator Management

Predator management strategies, such as aerial wolf culls or poisoning, should not be conducted

at this point. Predator management should be considered a last resort if the other previous

management strategies have failed. The Owl-Flintstone population has been relatively stable for

the past 30 years; therefore there is no reason to implement predator management at this point in

time (Crichton, 2015). If however the population dwindles in the future and various other

management strategies have failed to stabilize the population, predator management may be

considered (Schaefer, 2015). However, there are still many questions and difficulties regarding

this approach that must be worked out before such strategies are implemented. The first being,

that there is a lack of data that isolates the impacts of wolves on caribou herds. Black bears have

also been known to prey on caribou calves (Schindler, 2015). Second, for wolf culling, long-term

efforts must be maintained in order to have any impact. An immense investment in resources and

time will be needed. Both financial and ethical issues will also need to be addressed (McCance,

2015). Inclusively, wolf management or culling also may not be effective in increasing calf

survival for caribou at this time (Schindler, 2015).

4. Increased Public Awareness

Caribou are a species featured on the Canadian currency, the 25 cent coin. They are a symbol of

the wild, a species that many people have known to roam the landscapes throughout history.

Wildlife provides functions within nature that humans rely on, many of their ecosystem ‘jobs’

going unnoticed. But in fact caribou are an indicator of forest health, if we want a healthy

thriving ecosystem in the future we must conserve and protect the ones who provide us with the

benefits. Caribou are also an icon of the boreal forest and are a very important and treasured

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species to the First Nations and Metis groups for their meat, hides and, spiritual significance. “If

the caribou are destroyed, our people are destroyed,” said Stephen Kakfwi, president of the Dene

Nation and former premier of the Northwest Territories.

Therefore we recommend that more money be allocated in the province towards increasing

public awareness and workshops regarding caribou. As mentioned above, they are a one of a

kind species that is recognized by many, so therefore should not be lost going into the future. We

recommend that more wildlife and caribou discussions are incorporated into the school

curriculum. Many kids and adolescents are fascinated with wildlife, the lake, nature, etc. but are

often limited in getting information about them unless it is a once a year trip to the Zoo for some

learning. In addition, we recommend as a long-term commitment to build and maintain

interpretive centres and displays designed to raise awareness for caribou (there is a kiosk in

Nopiming but it is very rudimental). Both provinces would benefit from having an educational

facility to learn about the past, present and future of the boreal woodland caribou herds. This

would increase awareness and optimistically positive conservation efforts by those individuals in

the future.

5. Inter-jurisdictional Dialogue

Since humans have inhabited many urban areas, they have created human boundaries on the

landscape. This creates a whole new world for wildlife trying to find a place to live and thrive.

Therefore in various wildlife management and action plans put forward by each province it is of

great importance in keeping up dialogue and communication between those jurisdictions. This is

specifically recommended for the Manitoba-Ontario border but also for the Manitoba-

Saskatchewan border. The recommendations are that there are joint discussions on both sides of

the border on what each province is doing for management and other factors (Crichton, 2015).

This is for the purpose that when an activity is conducted on one end that it is not undone on the

other side. There should be improved coordination of planning between the provinces (Rodgers,

2015). Furthermore with this communication, Manitoba has around 20% of all caribou herds

collared in opposition to Ontario, where there are far less collars on females where needed as

caribou often cross provincial borders (Walker, 2015). One downside is the length of time that

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this process of sharing information can take, but ultimately the pros outweigh the cons in

reaching management success of caribou.

6. Minimal Development in Caribou Wintering Areas

We recommend that very minimal, if any, developments go forward in the wintering areas that

caribou occupy (Crichton, 2015). The main reason is that the food sources are too scarce for the

livelihood of caribou. We also know that large human impacts, noises or disturbances are

primary causes to threatening caribou herds. If we want to see an increase in the Owl-Flintstone

population numbers there need to be some strict laws/regulations in place that restricts intense

developments directly in contact with caribou habitat. We also recommend then going forward

with any land developments that the focus is on a large landscape scope. This is so where

possible, the landscape should be connected in as many places as possible to allow animal

movements (minimize any fragmentation, as this is also a principal threat to caribou). This

should therefore provide herds of caribou success into the future where fewer pressures are

surrounding them and their range.

7. No Hunting of Caribou in the Game Hunting Areas By Anyone

The Owl-Flintstone caribou herd is not a plentiful one. Although their population numbers have

been relatively stable for the past 30 years, this is due to awareness, protection, managing and

rules set forth in order to have caribou present in the future. In 2012 in response to the dramatic

declines in moose populations in Manitoba, the establishment of Conservation Closure was

initiated. This meant that temporary hunting of moose in the Game Hunting Area 26 (GHA) was

prohibited (Crichton, 2015). This area encompasses both Nopiming Provincial Park and

Manigotagan River Provincial Park. This closure is still expected to remain place that is until

there has been moose populations recovered (Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship).

Therefore we recommend that there should be no hunting, shooting, killing of any kind on

caribou in the GHA 26, by anyone. Currently, First Nation communities have the right to hunt

certain wildlife species. We recommend on a short term basis that the province gets all reserves

on board to forgo their treaty hunting rights in the GHA 26. Currently verbal agreements

between reserves have in fact volunteered to withdraw their hunting rights but this must be a

uniform decision across all communities in order to reach success. Long-term recommendation is

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for a change in legislation to occur. This is crucial as this type of regulation should be in place in

order to bring caribou, a threatened species across the country, back in control to have them

remain in the province as an icon that it is. Heading into the future if each caribou herd’s

conservation status changes in a positive aspect, such that their entire status as a species changes

for the better than perhaps such strict actions would not need to be taken. But in the case of a

highly threatened herd and species, we recommend a more drastic change to occur so that there

is no hunting of caribou, by anyone, no matter where they are from when coming/visiting

Manitoba.

8. Successional Planning and Fire Suppression Strategy

Although forest fires play a critical role in the boreal forest ecosystem, precautions should be

made to ensure fires do not have negative impacts on the Owl-Flintstone herd. First, since

woodland caribou prefer old-growth forests there should be a continuous supply of potentially

suitable habitat for the caribou to use once the core area they are using currently becomes too

old. In order to achieve this, we recommend delineating areas where rapid fire suppression

should be a priority and delineating other areas where fires could be monitored and left to burn to

create caribou habitat in 70 or more years. This would allow fires to burn that will help caribou

in the long run but reduce fires that will negatively impact caribou today. Maintaining a range of

forest ages would ensure long-term available habitat for caribou. A second factor to this

approach would be to consider adjacency or connectivity on the landscape. Having potentially

suitable habitat in the next few years should ideally be located beside the habitat area they are

using now. This would maximize the chances that the caribou use the new habitat since the areas

would be adjacent allowing the caribou to move freely to the new habitat. This approach would

rely heavily on GIS analysis using forest age classes and the habitat suitability indexes already

created for the range (Brannen, 2015).

A similar approach has been taken to manage fire suppression in Beverly and Qamanirjuaq herds

in North-Central Canada. The model prioritized areas for fire suppression in order to benefit

local hunters by preserving critical caribou habitat areas. This model considered caribou ecology,

lichen recovery after a fire, burn history, community priorities and fire cycle lengths (Donald,

Thomas, & The Beverly Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board, 1996). We recommend an

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approach similar to this with the goal being to preserve habitat to sustain a healthy population

now and into the future.

9. Wildlife Disease Transmission

Recommendations going forward regarding disease and caribou are to monitor for infection in

deer populations that are in and around the Owl-Flintstone herds habitat. P. tenuis (brainworm) is

a factor to consider going forward with caribou management although it is not a crucial aspect

posed on caribou at this moment. Caribou are quite susceptible to getting infected with

brainworm through transmission of deer. In addition, virtually all the evidence shows that in the

southern region of the province (within the Owl-Flintstone herd range) brainworm is very

abundant (Crichton, 2015). Nevertheless with these factors, we recommend that no active

management, such as killing of deer, for caribou on this disease should be taken at this time and

that continuation of monitoring deer will suffice due to the current situation. If deer are found

within the Owl-Flintstone range in the future, increase deer tags would be necessary to reduce

their population and prevent transmission.

10. Nopiming Provincial Park Recommendations

With increasing cabin country and recreational use of Nopiming Provincial Park, conservation

efforts also need to increase. The following are recommendations regarding Nopiming with an

effort to balance recreation with conservation of wildlife. According to experts in the field,

recreation is the biggest threat to the Owl-Flintstone herd (Walker, 2015). Cabins and recreation

in the park area are currently changing the natural boreal forest landscape into manicured lawns,

new trails from snowmobiles, ATVs, hikers, etc. Provincial parks and green spaces provide

important habitats for many different plant and animal species, many of which such as caribou

are particularly sensitive or in need of protection. The Owl-Flintstone herd spend a considerable

amount of time in parts of Nopiming Park (Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship).

Research shows that caribou in northern Ontario showed reduced abundance in the vicinity of

ATV trails. The effect was discernible for roughly 9 kilometers (Schaefer, 2015). Bylaws on

recreation need to be negotiated around the open fishing season that competed with the calving

season in the spring. Motorized boats are thought to have a negative effect on caribou rearing

near shorelines and islands. Therefore fishing boats and overnight camping in these areas can

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cause stress and the deterring of optimal calving areas and should be restricted (Brannen, 2015).

This also goes for ATV use, which is causing fragmentation around the winter and summer

range. Deviance from designated ATV trails and public blocked roads have been an issue in the

past (Keenen, 2015). Some protection is provided to the Owl-Flintstone herd by limiting summer

access to an area known to be used for calving around Flintstone Lake in Nopiming (Manitoba

Conservation and Water Stewardship). Additional signs should be provided to educate the public

in the park why recreation needs to stay within designated areas in order to balance recreation

and caribou/other wildlife.

11. Protect Caribou Based on Migration Routes

The Owl-Flintstone herd have a small migration range between winter and summer typically less

than 70 km (Brannen, 2015). However with current and past human disturbances within the

range of the Owl-Flintstone herd there is a need to prevent fragmentation between seasonal

ranges. Additionally adaptive management (doing while learning) needs to be used to adjust to

any changes in migration or seasonal ranges. Geographical changes in range need to be recorded

and identified in order to protect these potential areas. The use of road deactivation techniques

used by Tembec has been shown to prevent further disturbance caribou habitat and could

promote habitat connectivity.

12. Deactivation and Regrowth of Old Logging Roads

Deactivation of linear features such as old logging roads, has proven to be a successful

mitigation to fragmentation in past forestry operations and should be adopted on recreational

features also (Keenen, 2015). ATV and snowmobile trails can be deactivated to discontinue use

the same way as old logging roads (Keenen, 2014). The deactivation process turns up soil and

makes unwanted and unused roads impassable for unwanted hunters, and helps to isolate herds

once again from predators. Shrubs and trees are recommended to be planted on the road to

promote growth. Tracking down old logging roads is a common issue with current wildlife

conservation. If bridges over streams and rivers are removed and restored carefully, predation

and hunters will also not have such ease of access to the herd. Although logging operations are

not in process in Manitoba currently, this strategy needs to be continued for any future industry

constructing linear features.

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13. Research Necessities

The following recommendations and suggestions (A-F) are all related to research gaps in the

current provincial management plans that we feel should be strongly looked into.

A. Further Understand Caribou Habitat

This recommendation regarding research involves truly understanding the characteristics of the

habitat caribou reside in. This includes the biophysical habitat attributes required for caribou to

carry out their normal day-to-day life processes. Is where caribou residing a result of “settling”

for predator avoidance or, is that where they truly like to be. Also, current evidence shows that

caribou return back to harvested areas (with natural regrowth) from over 70 years ago. Although,

harvested areas where monocultures have been planted, there is little to no data on whether or

not caribou do return back to these areas since the 1980’s (Brannen, 2015).

B. Re-evaluate the Conservation Status of the Owl-Flintstone Herd

There are currently a total of ten caribou herds in the province of Manitoba. They each have been

identified to have a status assigned to them as to how serious their population and conservation

threat is (low, medium, high). For example, priority conservation status has been assigned to the

Owl-Flintstone herd as high conservation status (at risk of decline).

As Tembec is no longer operating in the province, this is one large industrial event less having

impacts on the caribou herds. According to the Owl-Flintstone herd numbers they have shown to

be holding their own and doing ‘well’ while staying afloat in a human controlled community

(McCance, 2014). Therefore, we recommend that clear definitions be available for what is

classified as high, medium or low conservation status. We also recommend that currently the

Owl-Flintstone remain high risk due to the fact that if any event or disturbance takes place in and

around their range, it would potentially negatively affect the herd (Brannen, 2014). In addition,

given the vulnerable southern location in the province where this particular herd is located is

even more of an indicator to keep high scale industrial or human disturbance events away from

this high conservation status herd in order for caribou to be more stable and safe in the future.

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C. Analysis Data That Has Been Collected

There is data regarding caribou that has been collected but has yet to be analyzed (McCance,

2015). The faster this data can be analyzed and conclusions can be drawn from it, the findings

can be incorporated into the management plans. There was a calf recruitment study done in the

winter of 2008 to determine the recruitment rate of the population (Action Plan, 2011; Brannen,

2015). It is suspected to be low however it would be beneficial to have the results of the analysis

available to better understand the population dynamics of the herd. This ensuring that the

information is freely available to the public should also be an on-going priority.

D. Population Size Estimates

Having accurate and strong population estimates is a critical component in monitoring a

population. Right now the Owl-Flintstone caribou population is estimated based on aerial

surveys along with the use of VHF collars. The estimates rely on the assumption that all groups

of caribou have at least one member with a collar for the helicopter to track and count the total

number in the group. There could be groups of caribou that do not have a collared member

therefore the estimate would neglect this group. The Owl-Flintstone herd’s population has been

studied greatly with GPS collars (Walker, 2015). A recommendation we make going forward is

perhaps after 10 plus years in GPS collars as the main study method perhaps this is a likely

opportunity to look at the use of a variation of technology.

In order to improve the population estimates, we recommend that fecal DNA be collected and

analyzed. From this method, individuals can be identified to create a population estimate. If this

is conducted every year you are then able to determine population trends across both sexes,

including lambda. You can also look at hormone levels in the pellets and determine pregnancy,

or parasite load. This method is much less invasive than other population estimate methods since

there is no contact with the animals (Brannen, 2015, Flasko, 2015). Using this method in

combination with the collars would also be beneficial to compare and contrast estimates to

hopefully arrive at a more concrete population estimate for the Owl-Flintstone herd.

E. Calf Mortality

Calf mortality in woodland caribou is known to be high however, the main cause of calf

mortality is unknown. This piece of information is needed to get a full understanding of the age-

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specific mortality of the Owl-Flintstone herd. One effective way to gather this data would be

through the use of video collars (Rodgers, 2015; Walker, 2015). Putting these collars on pregnant

caribou in the winter could reveal the rates at which the calf survives, is a stillborn, dies shortly

after birth or, if a predator is to blame. Surrounding the issue around predation and if wolves are

the primary species to cause caribou population size declines, there has been increased concerns

and attention on black bears to also be predating on caribou calves. We suggest that more

attention needs to be taken in regards to the effects of black bears on caribou and especially

caribou calves. Research is directed heavily towards the calves because mortality due to

predation during the first weeks of life is not very well understood (Schindler, 2015). With a

better understanding of the cause of mortality, management plans could be tailored to potentially

mitigate these impacts.

F. Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)

It is important to gain historic information and to keep an important relationship going with First

Nations groups and communities. First Nations have been living among the herd for far longer

than conservation researchers have been doing research. TEK can help to compare historical and

current behaviors that might help researchers predict future trends. Time and money can

consequently be saved on research if the answers to the questions are revealed through TEK.

5.0 Advantages in Management of Caribou

The following lists and statements are current management on caribou that we feel are working

and providing benefits with little to no threats on the caribou herds. The past research conducted

to monitor the health of caribou populations has increased knowledge to fully understand future

development protection measures. We also feel that these should strongly be continued with

conscious management.

1. Continue to Monitor Recruitment and Mortality

We recommend that there is continuation of monitoring caribou recruitment and mortality

numbers (McCance, 2015). We believe there is evidence and data out there that not is always

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accessible to the public but persistence of data collecting will add to scientific research. Having

the most precise numbers possible allows for further analysis and projections into the future of

what the herd sustainability is. We recommend the use of trail cameras in Manitoba but also in

Ontario Provincial Parks. Moreover, in hot spots areas where high densities of caribou occur is

also suggested for placement of cameras.

2. Continue to Commit Maintaining at Least 65% of Undisturbed

Caribou Range

We highly recommend that the province of Manitoba do not cut down or change wildlife

protection in legislation regarding caribou range. To see more self-sustaining herds of caribou

into the future there must be minimal disturbances and fragmentations. Having the province

continue to committing to maintain at least 65% (or more when possible) of undisturbed habitat

for caribou range land is rational and effective. This recommendation goes for all caribou

management units/herd with a disturbance percentage up to 35% maximum allowed.

3. Continue Collaring

We recommend continued collaring of caribou females in all caribou management units. We

commend that there are collars on at least 6 female animals in a single herd and, of course more

if additional research money is available (Crichton, 2015). If there are more or continued GPS

collaring on caribou this allows for monitoring of their movements with precision. Much of

caribou research shows that there are still many questions to be answered, especially in regards

to still borne deaths and young calf mortality. With more collars and the addition of trail

cameras, this objective can be attained. Collars are working efficiently (with over 200 in

operation in Manitoba in the last 10 years) that have allowed the animal to be well studied in this

province (Walker, 2015; McCance, 2015).

4. Continue Cooperation and Dialogue with Nopiming Provincial

Park, Aboriginal Communities and Ontario

We recommend that in the future of management and protection of caribou that there is

continued cooperation and dialogue with; Nopiming Provincial Park, various wildlife groups,

non-profit organizations, First Nations communities and reserves, governments, etc. This is

highly important for stakeholder engagement, awareness and ultimately that communication is

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portrayed among the many groups involved. There is effective co-management with First

Nations and the federal government, whereas members of government have had periodic

meetings to discuss caribou, etc. (Brannen, 2015). This successful association has resulted in

many First Nation communities withdrawing their own hunting rights for caribou, as they are

also fond of saving this iconic species. Also the partnerships developed with First Nations are

one of the reasons why there has been legal protection of huge tracts of caribou habitat (mostly

on the east side of Lake Winnipeg). Continued consulting with First Nation communities with

questions about the herd before commencing research has also provided valuable answers. TEK

has been documented longer than any modern research in the past regarding historic trends. The

caribou units in the province occupy various areas as they need vast, connected habitat for their

livelihoods.

5. Continue Managing Developments and Recreation

Maintaining a strict and comprehensive assessment before any development goes through is

necessary to maintain high-quality caribou habitat within the Owl-Flintstone range. It is

increasingly important to consider the compounding effects of multiple developments therefore

appropriate scale is needed in the review process. Maintaining a balance between caribou

conservation objectives and human enjoyment should be ongoing.

4.0 Conclusion

The boreal woodland caribou once populated over half of Canada’s landscape, although today

they persist only in the northern boreal forest and wetlands. It is in this last century that over half

of caribou’s historic ranges have vanished (Hummel, 2008). While their population numbers

dwindled away, in 2006 Manitoba’s Conservation and Recovery Strategy for Boreal Woodland

Caribou had assessed the Owl-Flintstone range as high risk of decline (Government of Manitoba,

2011). The population’s main risks for their decline is due to the potential effects of both

anthropogenic and natural disturbances and their vulnerability to increased predation and

mortality consequential from recreational, industrial and natural processes (fire, predator-prey

dynamics) occurring within their range (Government of Manitoba, 2011).

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Overall, the Manitoban Government is making sufficient progress in protecting boreal woodland

caribou and taking measures to address the requirements of the federal caribou recovery

strategies. Manitoba along with Northwest Territories and Saskatchewan are showing signs of

progress but more research, legislation and

understanding as pointed out in this report is needed

(Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, David

Suzuki Foundation, 2013). Approaches taken towards

the threatened caribou should be adaptive management

based strategies but also with an ecosystem

management model.

Caribou conservation is a long-term business, a very

possible one but a challenging one at that (Schaefer,

2015). It demands a perspective that stretches across

decades and landscapes, whereas much of the current

societal goals and institutions focus on more

immediate rewards and difficulties. There needs to be a

broadening of views, this is to match the spatial and

temporal scales of caribou biology, if the aim is to

achieve long-term management goals.

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Rangifer, (1), 87–93.

Donald C. Thomas, & The Beverly Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board. (1996). A fire

suppression model for forested range of the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq herds of caribou. Rangifer,

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der_web.pdf

http://www.iucnredlist.org/

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