Rudolf the At-Risk Reindeer

Santa may soon be facing a transportation crisis if we don’t take a serious look at the decline of the Mountain Caribou. Made iconic thanks to Rudolf and his sled pulling pals, Mountain Caribou, also known as reindeer, are considered one of the most endangered mammals in North America. Currently, only 1,900 Mountain Caribou are left in BC, a 25 per cent drop since 1992 and a startling decline from the 10,000 Mountain Caribou who previously called BC’s inland temperate rainforest home. Unfortunately, if BC doesn’t step up to the plate soon and give the Mountain Caribou the protection it needs, Rudolf and his pals could very well become extinct, perhaps within 20 years.

Although Mountain Caribou “migrate” up and down the mountains of British Columbia throughout the seasons, their need for unbroken tracts of old-growth forests remains vital at all times. This dependency makes the Mountain Caribou an indicator of the ecological integrity of old-growth forests.

Despite the Mountain Caribou’s capability to survive in the unique circumstances of the old-growth forests; their large hooves act as snowshoes that allow them to spend winters in alpine forests where shoepacks can reach depths up to four meters, human interference is threatening the future of the Mountain Caribou. The Mountain Caribou’s main food source in the winter months, lichen, is found on old-growth trees; the same old-growth trees that are threatened by logging, resource extraction and motorized recreation.

Despite the BC government’s implementation of a Mountain Caribou recovery plan, winter motorized recreation in critical habitat remains a threat. Improved snowmobile technologies combined with the rising popularity of the sport has resulted in a big problem for the Mountain Caribou. Snowmobilers’ passion for deep untouched snow (the same snow for which Mountain Caribou also enjoy, and more importantly need for survival), doesn’t sit well with the Mountain Caribou; snowmobilers drive Caribou away from their critical habitats, to less than desirable habitats. Unfortunately, such a move causes unnecessary stress to the Mountain Caribou which can result in the decline of the health of pregnant cows and their offspring, leading to early calf mortality.

If you’re interested in helping the Mountain Caribou or would just like to ensure this year’s Christmas presents arrive on time, click here