Little Smoky Caribou Calf Project
Last Review/Updated: June 21, 2006
This innovative, short-term pilot project is designed to increase numbers of one particular herd of threatened woodland caribou as part of Alberta's caribou conservation efforts.
The project protects cows and calves from predators that are the primary cause of caribou mortality.
Project phases
There are a number of phases to the project. Check out photos of the different phases and follow the links (click on photo gallery titles or use the links in the left-hand navigation bar) for more detailed information of each phase.
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Project support
The Little Smoky Caribou Calf pilot project is being led by Sustainable Resource Development. Project support is provided by ConocoPhillips Canada, Suncor Energy Inc., the Caribou Landscape Management Association members (Alberta Newsprint Company, Hinton Wood Products, Canfor Corporation, Foothills Forest Products Inc., Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., ConocoPhillips, Devon Canada Corporation, Encana Corporation, Suncor, Transcanada Pipelines Ltd., Talisman Energy Inc.), Husky Energy, BP Canada and Foothills Model Forest.
Fish and Wildlife biologists from Sustainable Resource Development are leading the project. Experienced contract staff conducted the captures and TERA Environmental Consultants are managing the daily care of the caribou.
Project size
This project affects a caribou herd in the Little Smoky area occupying less than two per cent of the caribou range in Alberta. Population of the Little Smoky herd is estimated to be around 80 animals. It's estimated there are 2500 to 4200 woodland caribou in Alberta.
Similar projects
The Little Smoky project is based upon the successful Chisana caribou project conducted in the southwest Yukon on a herd of woodland caribou that has faced recent significant declines associated with predation. The herd’s range overlaps into Alaska. This project is led by the Yukon Territorial Government and includes participation of Alaska Fish and Game and experienced contract biologists on the project as well as involving Yukon school students to collect the lichen used as food for the caribou.
