Saving our Canadian Caribou

Update: Jan 30, 2019 - Our government had announced $27 million for Caribou in 2018. Since this announcement, some animals have been captured and relocated into pens to breed them in a safer environment. Nevertheless, there is still no clear agenda on how this money will be spent and the action items moving forward.

British Columbia's Lack of Wildlife Management

Wildlife management is remarkably underfunded in British Columbia. When it comes to saving the Woodland Caribou herds that are functionally extinct in the southern borders, there are currently no meaningful objectives for the Caribou within the government agenda.

Wildlife conservation is hard to push because, from a politician's perspective, they only have a few years of office to make an impact. Saving animals is not a quick campaign with a fast turnaround rate for their credentials.

Current Attitudes on Caribou

Currently, our government spends more money on our city per day than the whole wildlife management budget per year. There is also a sense of lost hope and acceptance of the situation. The blame is put on things such as global warming. The reality is North America has had a history of deprecating our animals to near extinction and bringing them back. Prime examples are the American Buffalo, the overall deer population, and the Elk herds on the island.

LAST STAND; The Vanishing Caribou Rainforest, 2018

Wildlife Conservation Advocacy Groups

There is hope because groups like the Wild Sheep Society, who are primary hunters, have revived countless depleted sheep numbers. All done with sheer willpower and money. The same can be applied to the Woodland Caribou if enough people stood up and vocalized their concerns.

I recently took part in coordinating an event featuring a screening of the magnificently crafted 30-minute film, Last Stand: The Vanishing Caribou Rainforest. It was amazing to see a union of so many organizations such as Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, BC Wildlife Federation, EatWild, North Shore Fish & Game Club, and Reliable Gun. All working together to educate a room packed full of folks about the issue and how we can take action.

Tome Jozic and Jesse Zeeman, BCWF

Dyan Eyers, Eat Wild (left), and me

BC BHA Members

Write To Your MLA

The most effective way to take action is to talk to your local MLA, Members of the Legislative Assembly. Work to build a relationship with them and express your concerns. Here is a more detailed guide on how to find your MLA and a sample letter I've written HERE.

Thank you for speaking up for better wildlife management in BC and our Canadian Caribou.

-Jenny Ly