Caribou Detection in Boreal Forest Environments

This project will build on innovations in “precision agriculture” to use a multi-spectral, ultra fine resolution imaging system to remotely sense large mammals with integrative computer science (deep machine learning) for ID and counting. It directly addresses the Key Focus Innovation Gap and presents a “game changing” opportunity to further conservation of northern wildlife, as costs are expected to be much less than traditional, less reliable methods to obtain similar data. Goals: (1) advance an innovative, interdisciplinary program to address conservation knowledge gaps limiting understanding of causes of change in the boreal forest; and (2) increase social, institutional and academic abilities to mitigate consequences of those changes and minimize risks of accelerating unintentional change to species, food systems, and economies. Arranged around seven Research Milestones (M1–M7), we are applying innovative tools, technologies, and approaches to meet goals, with contributions and guidance from Indigenous, government, and industry partners. Outcomes will include evolution of our Program Advisory Committee into a knowledge-sharing consortium (the “Boreal Network”) to advance understanding of causes and mitigate consequences of change in the western boreal. Project is ongoing.

Year 1 (2022) focused on project management, procuring equipment, hiring, community engagement, relationship building and initial field operations. Year 2 (2023) activities towards Milestones M1 (New Approaches to Wildlife Detection) and M2 (Modelling Species Abundances) included work on an image-analysis pipeline for high-resolution TK-7 imaging payload for wildlife censusing and habitat mapping. Community engagement is ongoing for M3 (Indigenous and Community Ecological Knowledge). We launched an Indigenous-engaged chronic wasting disease testing program in Year 2 and are developing new collaborations throughout the north. Year 3 (2024) field work will take us across SK, AB, and NWT to image wildlife and habitat where moose are collared and habitat mapping in caribou range for the Boreal Plains and Shield. M4 (Moose Population Ecology) saw 65 GPS tracking collars put on SK moose and 10 in NWT. M5 (Deer, Moose, Caribou and Chronic Wasting Disease) tracked collared white-tailed deer in the boreal transition zone. M6 (Advancing Predator-Prey Ecology) is awaiting data from M2. M7 (Knowledge Translation) advances include a website (http://borealnetwork.ca) and new funding to support education programs for youth in wildlife traditional ecological knowledge and science.