According to the Ts’ilhqot’in National Government (TNG) Caribou populations in the Chilcotin have been on the decline since 2003. The Charlotte Alplands caribou herd is believed to have already disappeared.
The largest herd, the Itcha-Ilgachuz herd, had a population estimate of 2,800 caribou in 2003. This summer the Itcha-Ilgachuz herd is estimated to have 385 caribou, a decline of 86% in 16 years. It is estimated that they will be disappearing from the Chilcotin in the next 7 years.
Canada’s Species at Risk Act lists the Southern Mountain caribou, which includes the Chilcotin herds as a threatened species. There is currently no endangered species legislation in B.C. to protect them. The TNG reached out to propose a formal partnership with the Province of B.C. on herd management where TNG would be a leading partner. The B.C. Government declined the request therefore the TNG will be taking it upon themselves as well as looking for support from neighbours to create a plan and address the issue.
