CARIBOU DNA

In this adventure, we explore the power of poop!

We are excited to announce that this winter, BFE had the privilege of collaborating with Alberta Parks and Protected Areas on their Woodland Caribou DNA mark-recapture surveys. These surveys were designed by the Government of Alberta to estimate the size of caribou populations and provide critical information to wildlife managers to support population recovery and conservation in the Chinchaga, Deadwood, and Hay caribou ranges in Northwestern Alberta.

BFE wildlife specialists alongside the Government of Alberta Caribou Biologists utilized helicopters to fly along established transects, spotting caribou foraging and cratering locations. Upon identifying potential sites, biologists landed near the location and collected fecal pellet samples.

These samples will be submitted for DNA analysis and will provide critical population estimates for the Chinchaga, Deadwood, and Hay woodland caribou ranges. This collaboration represents an important step towards protecting the habitat and wildlife of Northwestern Alberta and we are proud to have been a part of it.