Caribou Population Composition Surveys 2023 - Caribou Population Composition Surveys 2023

The annual aerial caribou population composition surveys are scheduled between February 27th and March 31st, 2023. Surveys are flown in 15 caribou ranges across northern Alberta. Each caribou range is relatively large (average about 9,337 km2) and caribou can be distributed throughout their entire range. Ranges will be divided into four general regions of operation (Figure 1), each of which will require independent bids within the Request for Proposals (Table 1). The Northwest, Northeast, Northcentral and West-Central Alberta surveys will each require a single helicopter and pilot. Each helicopter crew, consisting of a pilot and 3 EPA staff including one navigator/recorder and two observers, will locate collared caribou using radio-telemetry methods and classify all animals (collared and non-collared) by sex and age. Generally the surveys take from one to two days per range, depending on weather conditions. Thus the surveys may take between eight and 15 days, depending upon the region of operation. Survey efficiency is critical because inexperience can lead to longer search times and can increase the time that the caribou are stressed or are exerting themselves. Similarly, often the caribou are in heavy tree cover and opportunities to observe the animals are fleeting and maximized when a pilot is experienced in maneuvering the aircraft to take advantage of these opportunities. The Northwest, Northeast, and Northcentral Alberta survey areas are largely boreal forested environments, with minimal or moderate relief in the terrain. The West-Central surveys are in both forested foothills and in steep mountainous terrain.