Environmental Trends 2002

Wildlife

Percentage of Historic Range in Which Selected Species are Extirpated or Declining

SOURCE: Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, 2002. The range of Sharp-tailed Grouse was calculated using ecosections; Caribou and Grizzly Bear ranges were calculated based on the distributions of sub-populations. notes: For Caribou, demographic trends are unknown for several subpopulations that occupy >110,000 sq. km of range. Historic range includes range where Caribou occur sporadically. For Grizzly Bear, graph represents the percentage of historic range in which sub-populations are extirpated, not viable or Threatened. Extirpated includes areas that are not viable. Threatened includes both Poor and Fair population viability classes. Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse are a subspecies of Sharp-tailed Grouse.

Status of wildlife populations

• As a group, Caribou, Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse, and Grizzly Bear represent species of wildlife managed for conservation, recreation and sustenance uses.

• Caribou and Grizzly Bear have historically ranged over most of the province, in a variety of habitats. Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse have traditionally occupied grasslands in the Southern half of British Columbia.

• As of 2000, a large portion of caribou herds in British Columbia are in decline. Caribou are extirpated, or declining throughout 42% of their historic range, and potentially 60%
  if areas of unknown trend are considered.

• Sharp-tailed Grouse are extirpated or declining throughout 41% and Grizzly Bears are extirpated, not viable, or threatened in 21% of their historic ranges.

• Mountain Caribou, which occur in southern British Columbia, are candidates for legal status as Threatened in British Columbia. All other Caribou in the province are considered of Special Concern. A large portion of the province's Caribou also have national status as Threatened.

• Columbia Sharp-tailed Grouse are considered of Special Concern in British Columbia.

• Grizzly Bear are of Special Concern both provincially and nationally.

Why is it important?

• British Columbia’s managed wildlife provides economic and natural diversity benefits.

• Many of British Columbia’s managed wildlife populations are of national and international significance.

• Maintaining species across their ranges is fundamental to preserving biodiversity.

• First Nations have a right to harvest wildlife for sustenance and cultural uses.

What is being done?

• Land Use Planning initiatives and the protected areas strategy will help protect and conserve some wildlife habitat.

• Recovery strategies are being developed for Grizzly Bear, Mountain Caribou and Northern Caribou within the southern part of the province. Conservation planning is also underway for the Southern Interior ecosystem (home to some Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse populations).

• Forty species and ecosystems, including winter range for hoofed mammals, are presently designated as "Indentified Wildlife" under the Forest Practices Code and are subject to special management considerations.

• Harvest levels and area closures for wildlife are assessed annually to ensure conservation priorities are met.

For detailed information, including graph data, see In-Depth report [pdf].