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ALBERTA'S WOODLAND CARIBOU

© Mary M. Alward

The Woodland Caribou that live in Ontario and the western provinces of Canada are very different from the herds of Caribou found in Canada's north and Alaska. Woodland Caribou do not form large herds. They stay in a smaller area than the northern or Barren Caribou. In Alberta, these groups tend to stick to the eastern slopes and forested foothills near Banff, Willmore and Jasper. Many people in Canada are not aware that the Woodland Caribou are in danger of becoming extinct. This may be because the media tends to focus on the large herds of caribou that live in the north. Woodland Caribou seem to have difficulty adapting to environmental changes that are associated with industry and agriculture. Over the last 100 years, the magnitude of changes have been enormous, causing the caribou to move northward past previous southern habitat borders. Because of this, in 1984, the Committee on the Endangered Wildlife of Canada classified the Woodland Caribou's status as rare. Alberta's Wildlife Act lists Woodland Caribou as an endangered species because their natural habitat is quickly disappearing. In fact, if the risk factors are not reduced, it is likely that these magnificent creatures will disappear forever. Caribou are members of the deer family. Males and females both grow antlers, though the cows have fewer points. Large racks of antlers adorn the heads of the bulls. These are used to protect their harem of cows during breeding season. Most bulls lose their racks in December when rutting season is over. The younger bulls retain their racks until late winter. The cows lose their antlers during calving season. Female Woodland Caribou average about 250 lbs. or 115 kilograms while male's weigh between 180 and 270 kilograms. (400 to 600 lbs.) They are majestic creatures. By autumn their antlers have shed their velvet. Summer fur is dark brown on legs, face, sides and back, while the neck is creamy white. This mane is more pronounced on mature males. The reason for this is the swelling of the neck during rut. The hooves are crescent shaped and large to make walking easier in the spongy moss bogs and deep, soft snow of winter. Rutting season begins in mid - October. Calves are born in late May or early June. Though Woodland Caribou do migrate, their migration does not cover the same large expanse of territory as the Barren Ground Caribou. There are two ecotypes of Woodland Caribou found in Alberta. The boreal ecotype carry out longer short season migrations from 18 to 80 kilometers but remain in forested areas the entire year. The mountain ecotype that resides in west central Alberta migrates in a straight line of 80 kilometers or over. They move between mountainous summer grazing and the forested foothills winter grazing range.

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