The Ktunaxa Nation (ʔa·kisk̓aqǂiʔit) is once again deeply concerned about the British Columbia Government’s decision to kill wolves as a measure to preserve the caribou population the south Selkirk Mountains region.

The province announced on January 15 that up to 24 wolves in the south Selkirk area will be hunted by helicopter.

“We are worried that this approach to conservation is extremely hasty,” said Kathryn Teneese, Ktunaxa Nation Council Chair. “We are deeply concerned about the very low numbers of caribou in the south Selkirk, but we believe that management efforts should focus on increasing the population of caribou. Wolves are not the primary cause of the caribou population decline in the region and killing wolves at this scale will have to continue for many years to effectively reduce the risk of wolf predation. Killing one species of animal to benefit another species is contrary to Ktunaxa stewardship values.

“In order to preserve the caribou, we believe that a multi-faceted approach must be taken which includes restriction of access to and restoration of key caribou habitat, decreasing vehicle mortality and establishing breeding programs, including maternal penning,” continued Teneese. “This approach requires cooperation and commitment from all partners in Ktunaxa territory. We support monitoring of predation impacts; however, we strongly feel that these actions are a narrow and short term approach. Recovery planning and long term management of these caribou requires strong commitment to collaboration and adaptive co-management of the herd.”

The most recent estimates put the number of caribou in the south Selkirk region at 18 in March of 2014.

Ktunaxa Nation

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