Shift 2
By Marlene Hull
The Caribou Program ventured into the wilds of Sheep Creek for our third shift investigating high residency habitat for Woodland Caribou in particular the Redrock- Prairie Creek herds. We set up our quaint home at the Sheep Creek campground, a short truck ride away from our sites. This shift, we were joined with a badass volunteer, Gillian Fraser (@gillianfras), a graduate student from the University of Victoria completing a project on caribou calf mortality within these ranges. Her terrible jokes and go-getter attitude will not be soon forgotten.
This shift was truly an uphill battle—but it was worth the fight! Many sites were located along the tops of tree-lined mountain ridges with cascading slopes. Although the trek up the steep ridges was tough (and I mean, heavy-breathing, bucket-sweating tough), it was the first time we caught glimpses of woodland caribou on this landscape. We found small scatterings of scat amidst the lichen and even an antler shed! It was inspiring to see evidence of caribou residency at these sites and provided extra motivation when the hordes of mosquitoes were a bit too much, and the midnight wake-up calls from the passing trains at the Sheep Creek Rec. Area interrupted our dreams of dancing caribou.
The incredible views and frequent wildlife encounters remained the most memorable moments. Marlene and Ashley were treated to 14 grizzly bears, while Adam and Gillian encountered a Canada Lynx crossing a logging road and a swooping Great Grey Owl. Eventually, smoke from the B.C. wildfires clouded much of the sunshine and kept the wildlife hidden away for the remaining days. The Caribou Crew would like to send their best wishes to the families displaced by the B.C. wildfires.
