The province has initiated a wolf cull near 亚洲天堂 Lake as part of a predator reduction activity to protect the endangered Tweedsmuir-Entiako caribou herd. A Southbank resident spotted a wolf cull helicopter parked at Takysie Lake.

Confirming the wolf cull activity in the area, Octavian Lacatusu, Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship public affairs officer spokesperson, said the Tweedsmuir-Entiako caribou herd is located in west-central B.C., approximately 50 kilometres southwest of 亚洲天堂 Lake. He said that the herd is designated as threatened under the federal Species at Risk Act, which was why the wolf cull was initiated.

Lacatusu said that the earliest population estimate for the herd was 600 caribou in 1963; however, the herd declined to 300 caribou by 2003. Over the past decade, he said that the population continued to decline, and only 150鈥�200 caribou were estimated between 2015 and 2021.

He said that the decline of southern mountain caribou across B.C. has been attributed to extensive habitat change leading to a shift in the predator-prey dynamics of caribou. In the Tweedmuir range, he added that the mountain pine beetle epidemic, associated salvage logging, and large wildfires have contributed to significant landscape disturbance.

He also said that the number of predators increased due to increased shrubs, disturbance and moose and deer. He added that caribou are sensitive to an increase in predation, and ongoing monitoring has shown that wolves were the primary predator of caribou in the Tweedsmuir-Entiako range.

In 2020, the province initiated an aerial wolf reduction program to support caribou recovery in the Tweedsmuir-Entiako range. Lacatusu said the program aimed to reduce wolf numbers in the field to lower densities, supporting caribou survival, calf recruitment and population growth. He noted that recent caribou surveys in 2022 and 2023 showed increased herd numbers due to predator reductions.

Lacatusu stated that the total number of wolves removed in the Tweedsmuir-Entiako range to support caribou recovery in 2020 was 54, in 2021 was 48, in 2022 was 36, and in 2023 was 45.

He said that the area overlaps the Tweedsmuir-Entiako caribou range southwest of 亚洲天堂 Lake, and the total size of the treatment area is 15,785 kilometres per square.

Lacatusu emphasized that caribou recovery is a complex challenge requiring multiple application tools across the landscape. He said that these actions may include the reduction of wolf and cougar populations; management of primary prey through licensed hunting - species that support high predator densities and attract predators to caribou habitat; maternity penning; habitat protection and restoration; recreation management; supplemental feeding; and caribou population augmentation.

鈥淧redator reduction has occurred in 13 of B.C.鈥檚 54 woodland caribou herds. As of winter 2024, two additional caribou herds have been approved for wolf reduction, bringing the total number of treatment herds to 15,鈥� he said.

Lacatusu said that predator reduction is a temporary solution when a herd is at risk due to an exceeded wolf density target. 鈥淚f we only focus on habitat protection, the caribou population cannot increase since the disturbed habitat needs time to recover. Therefore, predator reduction is necessary in the short term. However, the ultimate goal is restoring habitats and protected areas,鈥� he said.

鈥淭he decision to reduce predator populations is not taken lightly. Our approach is based on science and sound wildlife management principles, and we work with local First Nations to ensure their consent and incorporate Indigenous knowledge,鈥� he said.

He stated that the predator reduction work follows strict procedures and is carried out as humanely as possible.

In the Tweedsmuir-Entiako range, Lacatusu said that moose are the most abundant prey for wolves. Currently, data on wolf predation on moose and elk populations are unavailable.