Feasibility Analysis of Wolverine Abundance and Connectivity
It has been 21 years since wolverine have been assessed in the territory of the Tsay Keh Dene Nation and since that time, there has been an increase in industrial development. This at-risk species of Special Concern is culturally significant to the Tsay Keh Dene Peoples, and climate change has had known impacts on wolverine populations.
This Seed Grant project will investigate the feasibility of using genetic sampling to estimate wolverine abundance and new methods to identify wolverine den locations within Tsay Keh Dene territory.
Update: Non-invasive assessment of wolverines confirmed
As a result of this Seed Grant, Chu Cho Environmental LLP successfully engaged with stakeholders and developed methods for a wolverine population assessment that will provide valuable insights into wolverine density and abundance in Tsay Keh Dene First Nation Territory.
The results of this project informed a density and abundance study design based on input from community members who shared their views on wolverine conservation and management, and input from multiple subject matter experts. The study is proposed for the Chase caribou range in Tsay Key Dene First Nation territory.
Executive Summary
The wolverine (nuẁ̨ ą) is a species of cultural significance to the Tsay Keh Dene Nation and has been designated as Special Concern on Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act by the federal government. The effects of climate change, trapping, and natural resource development have had a profound impact on their population distribution and abundance throughout BC. The Tsay Keh Dene (TKD) people greatly value wolverine and believe that they have aided them in times of need. In response to these concerns, Chu Cho Environmental (CCE) secured Seed Grant funding from the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP) to develop a project scope and feasibility assessment for a TKD wolverine abundance and meta-population connectivity study. We assessed the feasibility of conducting the project in one of three sample areas that lie within the TKD Territory, where the effects of recent resource development on wolverine populations are not yet known.
Our Seed Grant funded project objectives included investigating community interest through interviews with TKD citizens, conducting feasibility research to understand the costs associated with conducting the work in remote areas of TKD Territory, and identifying the best methods for determining wolverine population abundance and metapopulation connectivity. These objectives directly address the FWCP Upland Action Plan, including the priority actions PEA.UPD.SO6.RI.13 Research and monitor culturally important species and PEA.UPD.SO1.RI.01 Identify and prioritize upland habitats for conservation and/or enhancement-P1. Based on our community engagement and support for the project, we recommend initiating a spatially explicit capture-recapture (SECR) study using genetic analysis of hair samples. This approach offers an efficient way of sampling the population to achieve accurate density and abundance results and is expected to set a strong foundation on which we can build future studies and management recommendations. Additionally, extra hair samples collected can be carefully preserved for future stable isotope analysis and shared with wolverine experts who are working on a wolverine meta-population study. These future studies will enable us to determine the composition of their diet, providing us with further insights into their behaviour and ecology. Furthermore, understanding the genetic diversity and connectivity of wolverine populations is crucial for conservation efforts and ensuring the long-term survival of this culturally important species. The future of this project will depend on coordination with multiple partners and stakeholders, including CCE, TKD Nation, the British Columbia Provincial Government, the Caribou Recovery Program, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and the FWCP.
Click the provincial database link below to read the full final report for this project.