Tlicho Wildlife Research Workshop Theme: Caribou Health and Monitoring
How can we tell whether a caribou is healthy? One way is through traditional knowledge –knowledge accumulated from generations of living closely with nature on the land. Another is through western science. Both are valuable. Collecting information from both scientific sampling and from a Tłįcho perspective, with communities and researchers working together, will add to our understanding of caribou health in Wek’èezhìı.
During the Tłįcho Wildlife Research Workshop, information from both perspectives was shared.
Bruno Croft from ENR presented information on caribou health and condition monitoring using scientific methods—and how it’s important to monitor and watch for possible changes in caribou health. If a caribou is in poor body condition, it could become more vulnerable to disease, for example, or predation. A cow in poor condition may have a reduced chance of becoming pregnant. And a calf in poor health may have difficulty surviving the winter.
Detailed sampling is carried out every three years or so, but what about the years in-between sampling? That’s where basic monitoring comes in. As few as four different kinds of samples can yield valuable health information that can tell us how the caribou are doing from year to year.
The jaw can be used to determine the caribou’s age through analysis of an incisor tooth. The kidney provides a measure of the caribou’s fat –a key determinant in assessing the caribou’s condition. If a cow does not have enough body fat, for example, it may not be able to become pregnant or carry a fetus to term. Although the amount of body fat varies by season for caribou, if a caribou appears too skinny, it’s a sign it’s in poor condition, whether through poor nutrition, disease, or other factor or combination of factors. The kidney can also be analyzed for any contaminants. The hind leg can be used to measure body size and bone density—and determine whether the caribou was under stress. Finally, fecal pellets can tell us what the caribou is eating, whether a cow is pregnant, and whether there are any parasites or diseases.
Following Bruno’s presentation, participants broke into small groups (harvesters, elders, women and youth) to describe their observations of caribou health and things they look for when a caribou is healthy—or unhealthy. They also considered what other information should be collected from a Tłįcho perspective. Many observed that caribou were healthier in the past. Today, with skidoos, aircraft, mines, equipment, and roads, caribou seem fearful and to be under stress, always moving and not resting for very long. Deep snow makes it hard for the caribou to dig for food, making it struggle to eat. As a result of these stresses, participants said, the caribou are often not as fat. People have noticed changes in the taste and texture of the meat, and of the tongue. In a healthy caribou, the texture of the tongue is “velvety” but in a number of caribou, the tongue appears rough with very little fat content. They also reported changes in bone marrow –sometimes it is watery and reddish in colour unlike the marrow in a healthier caribou, which is thicker and a more of a whitish-pink colour. Participants stressed that the tongue, blood, bone marrow, lungs, liver and kidney should be tested to monitor the body fat—a traditional Tłįcho measure of whether a caribou is healthy—and to detect any diseases. The hooves, ankles and mouth should also be tested as the caribou travels a long way and uses its mouth and hooves to clear the snow to feed.
Monitoring caribou frequently allows us to “keep our finger on the pulse”, Bruno said, and detect any changes in caribou and their health. We can also look for signs that may indicate, for example, that more detailed investigation is needed.