Man-caused deaths of mountain Caribou, Rangifer tarandus, in southeastern British Columbia

Abstract

Although protected by law, hunter kills accounted for 13 recorded deaths of Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in the southern Selkirk Mountains of southeastern British Columbia between 1967 and 1983. Seven additional deaths resulted from collisions with motor vehicles on Highway 3 since opening of the Creston-Salmo section in 1963. There were eight recorded hunter kills of Caribou in the southern Purcell Mountains since the season was closed in 1972. Man-caused deaths could have equalled recruitment within the Selkirk population during several years between 1972 and 1983.