Little Smoky Caribou Calf Project 2006 Year One Summary Results

The Little Smoky Caribou Calf Project (LSCCP) was launched in 2006 to improve calf survival in the declining Little Smoky woodland caribou herd. Ten pregnant cows were captured, transported to a secure fenced enclosure, and monitored until their calves were born and reached three to four weeks of age. This approach protected cows and calves from predators during the most vulnerable period while providing supplemental food, water, and regular monitoring. The project served as both an immediate intervention to boost calf survival and a pilot for long-term caribou conservation and population recovery efforts.

The first year of the Little Smoky Caribou Calf Project showed promising calf survival, with the highest recorded herd size and calf percentage to date, though outcomes were confounded by concurrent wolf control efforts. Continued monitoring of collared cows and calves is essential to build on these results and to better understand mortality patterns, including the role of bear predation near riparian areas. Future iterations of the project should consider relocating enclosures farther from major rivers to reduce potential predator interactions. Additionally, reviewing Year One results and identifying new research opportunities will help refine the program and strengthen its role in long-term caribou recovery.