Translocation of southern mountain caribou using a soft-release technique

Abstract

Southern mountain caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou, SMC) in British Columbia, Canada, are experiencing a precipitous population decline and range recession. In 2019, the two southernmost herds, the South Selkirks and the Purcells-South herds, were functionally extirpated and facing imminent extinction. To rescue the remaining animals, a translocation into the Columbia North herd range was performed using a soft-release method. The translocated animals were released alongside a captive-reared yearling and a resident adult female from the Columbia North SMC herd. A comparison of habitat selection behaviours at the 2^nd order of selection demonstrated that the released animals responded to habitat and elevational conditions similarly to resident caribou. The translocation and soft release of Purcells-South and South Selkirks individuals demonstrates that soft release of wild translocated and captive-reared SMC can be successful and should be considered where and when feasible.